Afghanistan-Country Profile

Afghanistan is located in South Asia, bordering most of northern and western Pakistan to the east and bordering Iran in the west. It encompasses an area of about 652,230 square kilometers, making it the world's 41st largest country. Afghanistan is a landlocked country and has no major lakes or rivers. Terrain consists of many rugged mountainous regions, especially the Hindu Kush mountain range which separates the northern provinces from the rest of the country, and having  plains in the north and southeast. Climate is composed of harsh cold winters and dry hot summers. Naturally occurring disasters include earthquakes in mountainous areas, flooding and drought.
The estimated population of Afghanistan is 28,395,716 people. Of that 43.6% are between 0-14 years of age, 54% are between 15-64 years, and 2.4% are 65 years or higher. Birth rate is 38.37 births per 10,000 and its death rate is 17.83 per 10,000. The average life expectancy for the population is 44.4 years. Literacy is Afghanistan is small, with only 28.1% of the total population being able to read.
Natives of Afghanistan are referred to as Afghans. Many ethnic groups make up the country's diverse population. There are 42% Pashtun, 27% Tajik, with other groups below 10%. The country is solidly Muslim, with 80% Sunni & 19% Shia. Afghanistan has two official languages: Afghan Persian or Dari (50%) & Pashto (35%). Other languages are Uzbek and Turkmen (11%) as well as 30 other minor languages, which make up 4%.
Afghanistan's government is officially an Islamic Republic. Its capital is located in Kabul in central Afghanistan, the largest city in Afghanistan. The country has been a democracy since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in October, 2001 which toppled the Taliban government. The government has three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The chief of state and head of government  President Harmid Karzai, who held office officially since December 2004. A bicameral legislature has the House of Elders, with 102 seats and the House of People with no more than 239 seats. The president and two vice-presidents are elected by more than 50% of the vote for five-year terms. Universal suffrage is extended to all those over 18. Religious groups and tribal leaders have great influence over government policy.
Afghanistan's economy has been greatly weakened by more than 30 years of warfare in their land. After the fall of the Taliban in 2001, the economy has improved greatly due to outpouring of economic aid. Despite this, the country remains mostly poor. Most civilians lack adequate housing, clean water, electricity, and medical care. All of this has contribute to Afghanistan having one of the lowest standard of living in the world. The economy itself is mostly agriculturally based with 78.6% of the labor force engaged in agricultural work.