Accommodation All larger cities in Afghanistan generally offer comfortable accommodation. Although conventional categories cannot be assigned to most of the hotels outside of Kabul, where accommodation ranges from the luxury-class Hotel Intercontinental, various second-class hotels, to very inexpensive but low standard lodging located throughout the city.

Administrative StructureIslamic state of Afghanistan is divided into 30 Administrative divisions and 02 more are likely to be included:

Khost and Nurestan are the possible name to be included in the list

Climate    Most of Afghanistan has a sub arctic mountain climate with dry & cold winters, except for the lowlands, which have arid and semiarid climates. In the mountains and a few of the valleys bordering Pakistan, a fringe effect of the Indian monsoon, coming usually from the southeast, brings moist maritime tropical air in summer. Afghanistan has clearly defines seasons; summers are hot and winters can be bitterly cold. Summer temperatures as high as 49 degree centigrade have been recorded in the Northern valleys. Midwinter temperatures as low as - 9 degree centigrade are common around the 2000m level in Hindu Kush. The climate in the highlands varies with elevation. The coolest temperatures usually occur on the heights of the mountains.

Temperatures often range greatly within a single day. Variations in temperature during the day may range from freezing conditions at dawn to the upper 30 degree centigrade at noon. Most of the precipitation falls between the months of October and April. The desert receives less than 100 mm of rain in a year, whereas the mountains receive more than 1000 mm of precipitation, mostly as snow. Frontal winds sweeping in from the west may bring large sandstorms or dust storms, while the strong solar heating of the ground raises large local whirlwinds.    

Monthly average temperature in Kabul

Degree	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Centigrade	-1	0	7	13	17	22	25	24	20	13	7	2
Fahrenheit	30	33	45	57	64	73	78	76	69	57	46	36

Monthly average days with rain

Monthly average days with snow

Monthly average percipitation

top

Communications The communication system in Afghanistan was seriously damaged during the time of Russians and later a civil war of more than 10 years. In 1983 there were about 31, 200 main telephone lines, which only left to 21,000 in 1998. Though the telephone and telegraph service is very limited yet the main cities are interlinked through satellite and microwave systems. There are 02 satellite earth stations: 01 is linked to Iran only and the other to Atlantic Ocean region. Now mobile cellular service has been introduced but currently it is also very limited. After the Taliban, now there is one Internet Service providers as well and few more likely to be established in times to come.

Under the Taliban’ rule Radio Afghanistan was renamed as Radio Voice of Shari’ah (Islamic Law). The Taliban banned TV as a source of moral corruption and regard music as suspect. There were about 100,000 televisions and 167,000 radios in Afghanistan as per the census of 1999. With the departure of Taliban, both Radio Afghanistan and Kabul TV went back on air in November 2001. Currently 02 newspapers in local language and one in English are in rotation. Radio Afghanistan and Radio Herat are on air and being accompanied by Kabul, Balkh and Herat Television stations. top

Cuisine   Having inherited the culinary traditions of the Central Asians, food in Afghanistan is a rich and unique experience. Mostly, meat, vegetable and chicken dishes are consumed. Afghan specialties are Palow (rice cooked with meat, chicken or vegetable), Kababs (minced meat grilled on skewer) & Ashak (similar to ravioli but stuffed with leeks & topped with yogurt and meat). The few main dishes of Afghanistan that are consumed as everyday and ceremonial food are as follows:

Most of the modern restaurants in Kabul offer, besides international dishes, a great variety of Afghan specialties.    top

Culture Throughout the history of Afghanistan, armies, empires and traders crisscrossed this country because of its geographical location, which gave rise to the great diversity of foods, arts, languages and traditions that are cultural heritage of this country. Afghanistan is a Muslim country and it has been a great center of Sufism. The Islamic heritage of the country is also the basis of its famous hospitality and respect to the guests, which is not very common in west.    top

Customs  Imports: Tourists may import duty free items for their personal use. However, valuable items such as motorcars, cameras, radios, tape recorders etc have to be registered upon arrival. Alcohol is prohibited.
Exports: Tourists may export duty free 30 sq.m carpets, 10 skins excluding Karakul, unpolished precious stones including Lapis Lazuli, handicrafts and a limited variety of antiques. However, all antiques items require the export approval of the Kabul museum. A brochure regarding the controlled items can be obtained from Ministry of Tourist offices. Airport departure tax is Afghani (AF) 200 that needs to be paid on each international departure.top

Economy   Economically speaking, Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world. Many years of war and political instability have left the country in ruins, and dependent on foreign aid. The main source of income is agriculture, and during its good years, Afghanistan produces enough food and food products to provide to people, as well as to create a surplus for export. The major food crops produced are corn, rice, barley, vegetables, fruits and nuts. In Afghanistan, industry is also based on agriculture, and pastoral raw materials. The major industrial crops are: cotton, tobacco, madder, castor beans, and sugar beets. Sheep farming is also valuable. The major sheep product exports are wool, and highly prized Karakul skins. Afghanistan is as rich in natural resources. There are numerous mineral and precious stone deposits, as well as natural gas and untapped petroleum stores. Some of these resources have been explored, while others have remained unexplored. The fiscal year is from 21^st March to March 20.top

Education Two separate systems of education exist in Afghanistan. The older system is a religious one, taught by the Muslims preachers (mullahs), who conduct schools in the village mosques. They teach the religious percepts of the Koran, reading, writing and arithmetic.

The other system was introduced in Afghanistan in 1964. Under this system education was free at all levels, and elementary education was officially compulsory wherever it is provided by the state. Nonetheless, less than one-fourth of all Afghan children attended school. There were primary schools throughout the country but secondary schools only in the provincial and in some district centers. Less than one-fourth of the population is literate. Kabul University was founded in 1946 by the incorporation of number of faculties, the oldest of which is the faculty of medicine, established in 1932. The University of Nangarhar was formed in Jalalabad in 1963. Under the rules of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan from 1992 to 1996 and Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan 1996 to 2001 the education structure was completely destroyed and none of these Government have tried to recover the loss in the field of education. The education system is currently in a very dire shape but Transitional Government is trying to revive the education system in Afghanistan.

Emblem The Afghan National Emblem consists of a Mehrab (an arch in a mosque where the praying congregation stands, facing the Kaaba in Mecca) and the mender (a many tiered pulpit placed to the right of the mehrab in a mosque, from which addresses are delivered), showing the strong relationship of the country with its religion, flanked by two flags in white that stand for peace and ensconced in two sheaves of wheat, which stand for agricultural Afghanistan, and with Kalma on the top.top

Flag The flag of Afghanistan is tricolor (black, red & green) all pieces joined together vertically from left to right in equal proportions; the breadth of each strip equaling half of its length, Historically the colors stand for:
Black; the time of enemies and colonialists invasions into Afghanistan
Red; sacrifice for freedom and independence movements in Afghanistan
Green; Islamic peace and prosperity
Right in the center of Flag is the National Emblem of Afghanistan in white color.

Geography   Located in Southern Asia, Afghanistan shares the Eastern border with Pakistan, Western Border with Iran & Northern Borders with C.I.S. countries. Afghanistan has a total area of 652,000 sq km, slightly smaller than Texas, which is all land and no coastline.
Nature has blessed Afghanistan with mountains, rivers, steppes and deserts. Most of the land is a rugged mountain but plains in north and southwest; only 30,000 sq km of the country is irrigated land. The lowest point is Amu Darya (258 m) and the highest point is Nowshak (7,485 m).

Nature has also bestowed Afghanistan with unlimited wealth. There are lot of minerals; fuel and energy sources like natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromites, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semi precious stones found in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan has been affected by the Natural Hazards like earthquakes in Hindu Kush Mountains and flooding in the rivers. Besides these hazards, soil degradation, overgrazing, deforestation and desertification are some of the main issues being faced by the people of Afghanistan.    top

Health The general health situation in Afghanistan is not very promising, as the infrastructure for basic health units has completely destroyed in last 24 years of on going war. The medical facilities in big cities are comparatively better than remote areas where Polio, Typhoid and other viral diseases are common. One of the biggest issues being faced by the transitional Government in Afghanistan is to rebuild the health structure and in this regard international organizations are fully co-operating with the Government.

An international vaccination certificate against small pox and Yellow fever is required if arrivals are from endemic or infected areas. Travelers arriving from non-endemic areas should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside the urban areas in Afghanistan.

Polio, Typhoid, Malaria, Cholera, Tick born relapsing fever, Typhus and Rabies are all present in today’s Afghanistan.

Holidays The National holidays in Afghanistan are as follows:

Nowroze	Mar 21
Revolution Day	Apr 27
Labour Day	May 01
Remembrance day for Martyrs & Disabled	May 04
Independence Day	Aug 19

Besides National Holidays, there are various religious holidays but their dates are not fixed and changes every year in correspondence with Lunar Calendar. These holidays include Ashura Day, Eid-Milad-un-Nabi, Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha.      top

Language Pashto, Southern - It is a widely spoken language of the country as being used by 35 to 50% of the total population. It has various dialects in Afghanistan, which includes Southwestern Pashto, Kandahar Pashto etc. This language can be classified as Indo-European & Indo-Iranian.
Farsi, Eastern - This is another widely spoken language of Afghanistan and is being used by 25 to 50% of total population of Afghanistan. Its alternate names are Persian, Dari and Parsi. The various dialects for this language in Afghanistan are Afghan Farsi, Herati, Tajiki, Kaboli & Khorasani. This language also belongs to group of Indo-European & Indo-Iranian languages
Hazargi - This is also among the major languages of Afghanistan as it is being spoken by 9% of the total population. It is also known with many names such as Azargi, Hazara & Hezareh. This also belongs to Indo-European, Indo-Iranian group of languages.
Uzbek, Southern - Like Hazargi language, Uzbek is also being used by 9% of the total population. Commonly this language is known as Uzbeki, Usbeki etc. This language has been inherited from Altaic & Turkic group of languages.
Turkmen - This language has about 500,000 speakers among the total population of Afghanistan. This language is common among the areas near to border of Turkmenistan and especially the border regions of Fariab and Badghis province as well as in Andkhoi town and Herat city. The alternate names for this language are Turkoman, Trukmen and Turkman. The various dialects are spoken like Salor, Teke, Ersari, Sariq, and Yomut. The language has been derived from Altaic and Turkic group of languages;
Aimaq - Aimaq is a language of about 480,000 Afghan people. Commonly this language is known as Barbari or Berberi as well as Chaharaimaq. Taimuri, Taimani, Zohri, Jamshidi, Firozkohi, Maliki, Mizmast, Chingizi and Zainal are the various dialects. It can be classified as Indo-European as well as Indo-Iranian language.
Balochi, Western - Some 200,000 people in Afghanistan use Balochi language. It is widely spoken along the Helmand River and Zaranj area. Its alternate names are Baluchi, Baluci, Baloci etc. The Rakhshani dialect of the language is used in Afghanistan. Another language from Indo-European and Indo-Iranian group;
Brahui - The strength of users for this language is somewhat same like Balochi language. This is spoken in southern areas from Shorawak to Chakhansoor. The alternate names are Brahuiki, Birahui, Kur Galli. This language belongs to Dravidian languages

MoneyThe unit of currency in Afghanistan is the Afghani, which is divided into 100 puls. Since there is a dramatic inflation-taking place in Afghanistan since the Soviet invasion, therefore, rate of exchange with foreign currencies has a great fluctuation. Currently, One US Dollar = 55,000 Afghani.

Afghanistan’s central bank (Da Afghanistan Bank) was founded in 1939 and is the largest bank in Afghanistan. The central bank issues all currency notes, execute government loans and lends money to other banks. All private banks in Afghanistan were nationalized in 1975. However, no stock market or other modern form of economic development exists in Afghanistan. Currently many banks are also closed.

Banking Hours are as follows:
Sat to Wed: 0800 to 1630 Hours (with one hour break from 1200 to 1300 hours)
Thursday : 0830 to 1330 Hours
Banks remain closed on Friday.

Visitors are required to declare upon arrival of foreign currencies carried with them. The declaration must be shown when changing such currencies at bank. Upon departure the remaining amounts have to be declared at port of exit.
Credit cards and travelers cheques are not accepted. Similarly Money Wiring Services are also not available.     top

Political system After the American intervention in Afghanistan in consequences to terrorists’ attack of Sep 11, 2001 at New York & Washington, the coalition forces under the leadership of America have laid the foundation of Transitional Government in Afghanistan. This Government will be in power till December 31, 2003 and during this span this government will work for the restoration of normal life and proper functioning of democracy.

Currently, Mr. Hamed Karzai is acting Head of State and is being assisted by General Muhammad Qasim Faheem. Ruling Council, which is led by Mr. Hamed Karzai and assisted by Vice Chairman controls all the major institutions of Government. For the proper functioning of the government, administration has been divided into 20 ministries. Defense forces have been divided into 02 sectors, Army and Air Defense Forces. Then there are about 09 State Agencies that controls banks, insurance, media, tourism, transport, municipalities etc.

There is no legislative council since after its abolishment in 1992. In Judiciary, Supreme Court has the control whereas Attorney General’s office is also working in new Transitional Government.

Population Pashtuns form the dominant ethnic and linguistics community, accounting for just over half the population. Tribally organized, the Pashtuns are concentrated in the east and the south. The Pashtuns mostly speak Pashtu and are generally Sunni Muslims. They are divided into tribal and sub-tribal groups to which they remain loyal.
Tajiks are mostly Sunni Muslims and speak Persian (Dari). They live pre-dominantly in the northeast and in the west. Since they make the bulk of Afghanistan s educated elite and possess considerable wealth, they have significant political influence. Tajiks living in rural regions are mostly engaged in agriculture and herding. They have no specific social structure and tend to adopt those of their neighbors.
Hazaras speak Hazaragee (same as Dari) and are mostly Shia Muslims. There are also some Sunni Muslim Hazaras. They live in the central mountainous areas of Afghanistan and are known to be very talented and hardworking group of people. Unfortunately, Hazaras have always lived on the edge of economic survival. They are primarily sedentary farmers practicing some ancillary herding. In big cities, they have occupied the lowest economic rungs.
Uzbeks have broad, flat faces and lighter skin than the Pashtuns. They are farmers and stockmen, breeding the Karakul sheep and an excellent type of Turkmen s horse. They are Muslims and have kinsmen in the Central Republic of Uzbekistan. It is mostly the Uzbek riders who play Buzkashi, the Afghan National sport. They speak Uzbek language, which is also spoken in Uzbekistan. Uzbeks are famous for their round breads and red rugs.
Turkmen live along the southern of Amu Darya, the famous river of Afghanistan. They speak an archaic form of Turkish and generally Persian as well. The men wear large, soft leather boots, belted cloaks and turbans. They also wear greatcoats with sleeves long enough to envelope the hands in cold weather or store away small packages. The women wear long dresses in bright floral patterns over their leggings. The nomadic tribes of Afghan Turkmen still dwell in the yurt, a dome-shaped felt tent on collapsible wooden frame typical in Central Asia.
Others There are other smaller ethnic groups living in Afghanistan such as:
Nuristanis: Live in the remote mountains northeast of Kabul
Aimaqs: Live west of Hazarajat in the region between Heart & Bamiyan
Sikhs & Hindus: Mostly living in Kandahar and Kabul Area top

Religion Afghanistan is a Muslim country. Although the Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif is one of the most important Shia Muslim shrines, the country is 85% Sunni. The Hazaras of Central Afghanistan form the bulk of Shias (14% of total population), and as such have strong links to Iran. There are various other religious minorities as well living in Afghanistan.

ShoppingFew countries provide as rich a variety of handicrafts and souvenirs as Afghanistan. Many picturesque bazaars are legendary and offer items, such as, Pustinchas (made of lamb fur), Karakul coats and caps, Turkmen hats, Kandahar embroidery, pottery, rustic glassware of Heart, Kuchi or Nomad Jewelry, Lapis Lazuli and worked Alabaster, hand-woven carpets and rugs, Nuristani woodcarving, silkware, brass, copper & silver works, and a large variety of antique weapons, ornaments, coins, dishes, etc.top

Traditions  Afghanistan offers a variety of folkloric events for entertainment. Traditional Afghan dances, animal fights, tent pegging, etc are enthusiastically enjoyed by a large number of visitors. The most conspicuous event, however, is Buzkashi, a horse game, which is thrilling and entertaining.
According to Larry B. Lambert, “ The ancient game of Buzkashi is part of Afghan life and is offered as a primer to that end. It has little to do with politics but much to do with spirit of the place”. The game of Buzkashi is particular to the Afghan tribes and is played in the fiercest mood of the players. The region of Maimana is known to have the best Buzkashi players and the game is commonly played on occasions. Buzkashi literally means ‘goat grabbing ’ which has been associated with the Turcomon population of northern Afghanistan. The objective of the game is to grab the headless calf or goat and carry it away to the poles. As the game progresses it becomes wilder and wilder to the interest of the participants. The game may last as long as a week until & unless any player is able to pitch a dead calf across the goal poles. In Buzkashi, only the male stud horses are used for riding. Wrestling matches and Horse race “Paiga” always accompany the Buzkashi match. The most masterful player is known as ‘Chapandaz’ who goes through the years of rigors mastering the game. The other popular sports that are played in Afghanistan are as follows:

top

Transport    Travel within Afghanistan is severely limited by the rugged terrain. Public transportation in Afghanistan is generally by bus and truck in which loads of people, animals and produce are packed into small spaces or on roof. In Urban areas mostly buses and bicycles are used whereas in the countryside mostly people travel by foot, donkey, horseback and occasionally by camel. Camels and other pack animals are used for conveying goods. Mostly Afghanistan has to depend on neighboring countries for the shipment of goods to & from its borders.

Roads: There are about 21,000 km of highways, about 13 percent are paved, 08 percent are gravel, and 79 percent are dirt.
Rails: The country has less than 25 km of railroad track, all of which is for shipping goods to and from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Waterways: Except for the Amu Darya, which has 1200 km of navigable waters and handles vessels up to about 500 metric tons, the country’s narrow, fast flowing rivers are nearly all un navigable and are used chiefly for the transportation of free-floating timber. Ports on Amu Darya include Keleft, Kheyrabad and Shir Khan.
Airports: Kabul and Kandahar were the international airports but now international flights are being operated from Kabul only. There were about 48 other airports in the country and about half of which have paved runways. The national airline is Ariana Afghan Airline, which is now again in operation by operating flights to neighboring countries. Besides Ariana Afghan, Pakistan International Airline is also operating flights to Kabul on weekly basis. At one time, Bakhtar Afghan Airline also used to provide domestic services but it is no more operational.         top