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Country profile: Afghanistan
Source BBC world service

Landlocked and mountainous, Afghanistan has suffered from such chronic instability and conflict during its modern history that its economy and infrastructure are in ruins, and many of its people are refugees.

It is also afflicted by natural calamities such as earthquakes and drought.

OVERVIEW



OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA

Its strategic position sandwiched between the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent along the ancient "Silk Route" means that Afghanistan has long been fought over - despite its rugged and forbidding terrain.

It was at the centre of the so-called "Great Game" in the 19th century when Imperial Russia and the British Empire in India vied for influence.

And it became a key Cold War battleground after thousands of Soviet troops intervened in 1979 to prop up a pro-communist regime, leading to a major confrontation that drew in the US and Afghanistan's neighbours.

But the outside world eventually lost interest after the withdrawal of Soviet forces, while the country's protracted civil war dragged on.

The emergence of the Taleban - originally a group of Islamic scholars - brought at least a measure of stability after nearly two decades of conflict.

But their extreme version of Islam attracted widespread criticism.

The Taleban - drawn from the Pashtun majority - were opposed by an alliance of factions drawn mainly from Afghanistan's minority communities and based in the north.

In control of about 90% of Afghanistan until late 2001, the Taleban were recognised as the legitimate government by only three countries.

They were at loggerheads with the international community over the presence on their soil of Osama bin Laden, accused by the US of masterminding the bombing of their embassies in Africa in 1998 and the attacks on the US on 11 September 2001.

After the Taleban's refusal to hand over bin Laden, the US initiated aerial attacks in October, paving the way for opposition groups to drive them from power.

Infighting between local commanders over power and territory has become a striking feature of the post-Taleban period. The authorities in Kabul have so far been unable to contain the fighting in the southern and eastern regions.

FACTS



OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA

AFGHANISTAN FACTS
Population: 24 million (UN, 2007)
Capital: Kabul
Major language: Pashto, Dari (Persian)
Major religion: Islam
Life expectancy: 43 years (men), 43 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Afghani = 100 puls
Main exports: Fruit and nuts, carpets, wool, opium
Average annual income: Not available
Internet domain: .af
International dialling code: +93

LEADERS



OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA

President Hamid Karzai

Afghanistan has an interim administration which was chosen at a Loya Jerga - or traditional assembly of tribal representatives - in June 2002.

It is to govern until 2004, and has the tasks of drafting a new constitution, overseeing the formation of a national army and of preparing for elections at the end of its term.

Hamid Karzai, who headed the provisional administration set up when the Taleban were driven from power, was chosen at the Loya Jerga as interim head of state.

Interim government

President: Hamid Karzai

Deputies:
Mohammad Fahim Karim Khalili Hedayat Amin Arsala Nematollah Shahrani

Members include:

  • Foreign Minister: Abdullah Abdullah
  • Interior Minister: Ali Ahmad Jalali
  • Defence Minister: Mohammad Qaseem Fahim
  • Education Minister: Yunus Qanuni

    MEDIA



    OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA

    Afghanistan's media were seriously restricted under Taleban rule. Radio Afghanistan was renamed Radio Voice of Shari'ah (Islamic law) and reflected the Islamic fundamentalist values of the Taleban.

    The Taleban banned TV as a source of moral corruption and regarded music as suspect.

    The Northern Alliance's military victories across Afghanistan freed the media from the restrictive control of the Taleban.

    On 13 November 2001 Radio Afghanistan returned to the air in Kabul after the Taleban deserted the capital. One of the first signs of change was the music broadcast over Radio Afghanistan for the first time in five years.

    Days later Kabul TV was back on the air, with a woman presenting the news.

    Relays of foreign radio stations or stations funded from overseas are on the air in Kabul, including the BBC World Service, Radio France Internationale, the German-run Voice of Freedom, US-funded broadcasts from Radio Free Afghanistan and the Voice of America, and Radio Azadi run by the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf).

    BBC World Service is also available on FM in Mazar-e-Sharif.

    Press

  • Shari'at
  • Hewad
  • Anis
  • Kabul Times - English language

    Radio

  • Radio Afghanistan
  • Radio Herat
  • Radio Khilid Kabul (RKK) - Kabul FM station set up by NGOs

    Television

  • TV Afghanistan - available in Kabul
  • Balkh TV
  • Herat City TV

    News agencies

  • Bakhtar Information Agency
  • Afghan Islamic Press - Pashto language, based in Peshawar