Afghanistan is located in south-central Asia. Afghanistan is a landlocked nation and shares borders with six different countries: Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. Because of Afghanistan’s strategic location at an intersection of trade routes, its territory has been fought over many times in the past.
Quick Facts
Population: 34.941 million
Ethnic Groups: Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, other (includes smaller numbers of Baloch, Turkmen, Nuristani, Pamiri, Arab, Gujar, Brahui, Qizilbash, Aimaq, Pashai, and Kyrghyz)
Languages: Afghan Persian or Dari (Official) (77%), Pashto (Official) (48%), Uzbek (11%), English (6%), Turkmen (3%), Urdu (3%), Pashayi (1%), Nuristani (1%), Arabic (1%), Balochi (1%)
Religions: Muslim (99.7%), Other (0.3%)
Capital: Kabul
CIA: The World Factbook — Last Updated December 29, 2019
Afghans in Canada
Afghan Population in Canada
83,995
Useful Links
Afghanistan has long been an area with conflict. Foreign empires have fought over the land for thousands of years. More recently, Afghanistan has been afflicted by decades of war. When the Taliban had taken over, they imposed a strict form of Islam which was particularly harsh on the female population. The Taliban continued operating when American-led forces invaded Afghanistan after 9/11, but became less strict with regards to acceptable interpretations of Islam. The Taliban lost power in 2001, but the relative peace that this brought was only temporary. Warfare and the oppression of women continue to be major social problems in Afghanistan.
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