Afghanistan

Geography
The country of Afghanistan is bordered by Pakistan and Iran in central Asia. Most of the terrain is covered with rugged mountains and vast deserts. This is an extreme climate with very hot summers and extremely cold winters. The country is landlocked. Most people live in the valleys between the rugged mountains where they farm and tend to livestock.

** People **
There are many [|ethnic groups represented in Afghanistan]. Of the nearly 32 million people, about half are Pashtuns and live in the southern region. The second largest group of Persians are the Tajiks. Pashtuns and Tajiks are primarily Sunni Muslims. The people who are believed to be the ancestors of the Mongols are the Hazara and they live in the central region. Click to find out more about the [|Afghan culture]. The official languages are Dari and Pashtu. Learn more about [|Afghan children].



History
Afghanistan has experienced many changes throughout history. The Greek culture was brought by Alexander the Great when he conquered the country in 330 BC. The Mongols led by Genghis Kahn invaded during the 13th century. After three wars with the British, the Afghans finally established an independent monarchy in 1921. More change and turmoil began in 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded. The United States, Pakistan, China, and Iran provided assistance to the Mujahedin or Afghan fighters. The Taliban took power of the the capital Kabul when the Soviet troops left in 1996. SInce September 11, 2001, the United States military has been in Afghanistan to find Osama Bin Laden and eliminate the Taliban. Hamid Karzai became the first elected president in 2004.