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Communications

Airports [time series]

total: 41 usable: 36 with permanent-surface runways: 9 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 11 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 16

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

21,000 km total (1984); 2,800 km hard surface, 1,650 km bituminous-treated gravel and improved earth, 16,550 km unimproved earth and tracks

Waterways (Inland waterways) [time series]

total navigability 1,200 km; chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to about 500 metric tons

Pipelines [time series]

petroleum products - Uzbekistan to Bagram and Turkmenistan to Shindand; natural gas 180 km

Ports [time series]

Shir Khan and Kheyrabad (river ports)

Railways (Railroads) [time series]

9.6 km (single track) 1.524-meter gauge from Kushka (Turkmenistan) to Towraghondi and 15.0 km from Termez (Uzbekistan) to Kheyrabad transshipment point on south bank of Amu Darya

Telecommunication systems (Telecommunications) [time series]

limited telephone, telegraph, and radiobroadcast services; television introduced in 1980; 31,200 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 satellite earth station

Defense Forces

A [time series]

The United Nations System

Abbreviations [time series]

(see Appendix B for international organizations and groups)

Administrative divisions [time series]

The numbers, designatory terms, and first-order

Area [time series]

Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by

B [time series]

Abbreviations for International Organizations and Groups

Birth rate [time series]

The average annual number of births during a year per 1,000

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

the military still does not yet exist on a national scale; some elements of the former Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard, Border Guard Forces, National Police Force (Sarandoi), and tribal militias remain intact

C [time series]

International Organizations and Groups

D [time series]

Weights and Measures

Dates of information [time series]

In general, information available as of 1 January 1993 was

Death rate [time series]

The average annual number of deaths during a year per l,000

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

the new government has not yet adopted a defense budget

Digraphs [time series]

The digraph is a two-letter "country code'' that precisely identifies

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation) [time series]

The US Government has diplomatic relations with 180

E [time series]

Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names

Economic aid [time series]

This entry refers to bilateral commitments of official development

Entities [time series]

Some of the nations, dependent areas, areas of special sovereignty,

Exchange rates (Exchange rate) [time series]

The value of a nation's monetary unit at a given date or over a

GNP/GDP methodology [time series]

In the "Economy'' section, GNP/GDP dollar estimates for the

Gross domestic product (GDP) [time series]

The value of all goods and services produced

Gross national product (GNP) [time series]

The value of all goods and services produced

Gross world product (GWP) [time series]

The aggregate value of all goods and services

Population growth rate (Growth rate (population)) [time series]

The annual percent change in the population, resulting

Illicit drugs [time series]

There are five categories of illicit drugs--narcotics,

Infant mortality rate [time series]

The number of deaths to infants under one year old in a

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

This category includes a wide variety of situations that

Irrigated land [time series]

The figure refers to the number of km 2 that is artifically

Land use [time series]

Human use of the land surface is categorized as arable land--land

Executive branch (Leaders) [time series]

The chief of state is the titular leader of the country who represents

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

The average number of years to be lived by a group of

Literacy [time series]

There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless

Manpower availability [time series]

males age 15-49 4,094,481; fit for military service 2,196,136; reach military age (22) annually 153,333 (1993 est.)

Maps [time series]

All maps will be available only in the printed version of The World

Maritime claims [time series]

The proximity of neighboring states may prevent some national

Merchant marine [time series]

All ships engaged in the carriage of goods. All commercial

Money figures [time series]

All are expressed in contemporaneous US dollars unless otherwise

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (National product) [time series]

The total output of goods and services in a country in a given

Net migration rate [time series]

The balance between the number of persons entering and

Population [time series]

Figures are estimates from the Bureau of the Census based on

Total fertility rate [time series]

The average number of children that would be born per

Years [time series]

All year references are for the calendar year (CY) unless indicated as

note [time series]

The US Government does not recognize the four so-called independent

whereas real output has remained unchanged. One additional caution [time series]

the

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

largely subsistence farming and nomadic animal husbandry; cash products - wheat, fruits, nuts, karakul pelts, wool, mutton

Budget [time series]

revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 afghani (AF) = 100 puls

Economic aid [time series]

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $380 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $510 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $57 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $4.1 billion; net official Western disbursements (1985-89), $270 million

Electricity [time series]

480,000 kW capacity; 1,000 million kWh produced, 60 kWh per capita (1992)

Exchange rates [time series]

afghanis (Af) per US$1 - 1,019 (March 1993), 900 (November 1991), 850 (1991), 700 (1989-90), 220 (1988-89); note - these rates reflect the free market exchange rates rather than the official exchange rates

Exports [time series]

$236 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.) commodities: natural gas 55%, fruits and nuts 24%, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides, and pelts partners: former USSR, Pakistan

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$2.3 billion (March 1991 est.)

Fiscal year [time series]

21 March - 20 March

Illicit drugs [time series]

an illicit producer of opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug trade; world's second-largest opium producer (after Burma) and a major source of hashish

Imports [time series]

$874 million (c.i.f., FY91 est.) commodities: food and petroleum products partners: former USSR, Pakistan

Industrial production growth rate (Industrial production) [time series]

growth rate 2.3% (FY91 est.); accounts for about 25% of GDP

Industries [time series]

small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, and cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, oil, coal, copper

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

over 90% (1991 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (National product) [time series]

GDP - exchange rate conversion - $3 billion (1989 est.)

Real GDP per capita (National product per capita) [time series]

$200 (1989 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (National product real growth rate) [time series]

NA%

Economic overview (Overview) [time series]

Fundamentally, Afghanistan is an extremely poor, landlocked country, highly dependent on farming (wheat especially) and livestock raising (sheep and goats). Economic considerations have played second fiddle to political and military upheavals during more than 13 years of war, including the nearly 10-year Soviet military occupation (which ended 15 February 1989). Over the past decade, one-third of the population fled the country, with Pakistan sheltering more than 3 million refugees and Iran about 1.3 million. Another 1 million probably moved into and around urban areas within Afghanistan. Although reliable data are unavailable, gross domestic product is lower than 12 years ago because of the loss of labor and capital and the disruption of trade and transport.

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Geography

Area [time series]

total area: 647,500 km2 land area: 647,500 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas

Climate [time series]

arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; soil degradation, desertification, overgrazing, deforestation, pollution, flooding

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

periodic disputes with Iran over Helmand water rights; Iran supports clients in country, private Pakistani and Saudi sources may also be active; power struggles among various groups for control of Kabul, regional rivalries among emerging warlords, traditional tribal disputes continue; support to Islamic fighters in Tajikistan's civil war; border dispute with Pakistan (Durand Line)

Irrigated land [time series]

26,600 km2 (1989 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total 5,529 km, China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 12% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 46% forest and woodland: 3% other: 39%

Location [time series]

South Asia, between Iran and Pakistan

Map references [time series]

Asia, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World

Maritime claims [time series]

none; landlocked

Natural resources [time series]

natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, talc, barites, sulphur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones

Note [time series]

landlocked

Terrain [time series]

mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

30 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, Zabol note: there may be a new province of Nurestan (Nuristan)

Capital [time series]

Kabul

Constitution [time series]

the old Communist-era constitution has been suspended; a new Islamic constitution has yet to be ratified

Digraph [time series]

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation in US) [time series]

chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Abdul RAHIM chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 234-3770 or 3771

Executive branch (Elections) [time series]

President: last held NA December 1992 (next to be held NA December 1994); results - Burhanuddin RABBANI was elected to a two-year term by a national shura

Executive branch [time series]

president, prime minister; Afghan leaders are still in the process of choosing a cabinet (May 1993)

Flag [time series]

a new flag of unknown description reportedly has been adopted; previous flag consisted of three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green, with the national coat of arms superimposed on the hoist side of the black and red bands; similar to the flag of Malawi, which is shorter and bears a radiant, rising red sun centered in the black band

Independence [time series]

19 August 1919 (from UK)

Judicial branch [time series]

an interim Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has been appointed, but a new court system has not yet been organized

Executive branch (Leaders) [time series]

Chief of State: President Burhanuddin RABBANI (since 2 January 1993); First Vice President Mohammad NABI Mohammadi (since NA); First Vice President Mohammad SHAH Fazli (since NA) Head of Government: Prime Minister-designate Gulbaddin HIKMATYAR (since NA); Deputy Prime Minister Sulayman GAILANI (since NA); Deputy Prime Minister Din MOHAMMAD (since NA); Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad SHAH Ahmadzai (since NA)

Legal system [time series]

a new legal system has not been adopted but the transitional government has declared it will follow Islamic law (Shari'a)

Legislative branch [time series]

a unicameral parliament consisting of 205 members was chosen by the shura in January 1993; non-functioning as of June 1993

International organization participation (Member of) [time series]

AsDB (has previously been a member of), CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO

Country name (Names) [time series]

conventional long form: Islamic State of Afghanistan conventional short form: Afghanistan former: Republic of Afghanistan

National holiday [time series]

Victory of the Muslim Nation, 28 April; Remembrance Day for Martyrs and Disabled, 4 May; Independence Day, 19 August

Political parties (Other political or pressure groups) [time series]

the former resistance commanders are the major power brokers in the countryside; shuras (councils) of commanders are now administering most cities outside Kabul; ulema (religious scholars); tribal elders

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

current political organizations include Jamiat-i-Islami (Islamic Society), Burhanuddin RABBANI, Ahmad Shah MASOOD; Hizbi Islami-Gulbuddin (Islamic Party), Gulbuddin HIKMATYAR faction; Hizbi Islami-Khalis (Islamic Party) Yunis KHALIS faction; Ittihad-i-Islami Barai Azadi Afghanistan (Islamic Union for the Liberation of Afghanistan), Abdul Rasul SAYYAF; Harakat-Inqilab-i-Islami (Islamic Revolutionary Movement), Mohammad Nabi MOHAMMADI; Jabha-i-Najat-i-Milli Afghanistan (Afghanistan National Liberation Front), Sibghatullah MOJADDEDI; Mahaz-i-Milli-Islami (National Islamic Front), Sayed Ahamad GAILANI; Hizbi Wahdat (Islamic Unity Party), Abdul Ali MAZARI; Harakat-i-Islami (Islamic Movement), Mohammed Asif MOHSENI; a new northern organization consisting of resistance and former regional figures is Jonbesh-i-Milli Islami (National Islamic Movement), Rashid DOSTUM note: the former ruling Watan Party has been disbanded

Suffrage [time series]

undetermined; previously universal, male ages 15-50

Government type (Type) [time series]

transitional government

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

chief of mission: (vacant) embassy: Ansari Wat, Wazir Akbar Khan Mina, Kabul mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: 62230 through 62235 or 62436 note: US Embassy in Kabul was closed in January 1989

People

Birth rate [time series]

43.83 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Death rate [time series]

19.33 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

Pashtun 38%, Tajik 25%, Uzbek 6%, Hazara 19%, minor ethnic groups (Chahar Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, and others)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

158.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)

Labor force [time series]

4.98 million by occupation: agriculture and animal husbandry 67.8%, industry 10.2%, construction 6.3%, commerce 5.0%, services and other 10.7% (1980 est.)

Languages [time series]

Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 44.41 years male: 45.09 years female: 43.71 years (1993 est.)

Literacy [time series]

age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 29% male: 44% female: 14%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Afghan(s) adjective: Afghan

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Population [time series]

16,494,145 (July 1993 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.45% (1993 est.)

Religions [time series]

Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi'a Muslim 15%, other 1%

Total fertility rate [time series]

6.34 children born/woman (1993 est.)