ARCHIVE // AF // 1994

Afghanistan

1994 Edition — sovereign

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
View Intelligence Dossier Back to 1994 CSV Excel Print All Years
Communications
Airports [time series]
total: 42 usable: 35 with permanent-surface runways: 9 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 17
Roadways (Highways) [time series]
total: 21,000 km paved: 2,800 km unpaved: gravel 1,650 km; earth 16,550 km (1984)
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 Gushgy (formerly Kushka) (Turkmenistan) to Towraghondi and 15.0 km from Termiz (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; numerous cellular 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 abbreviations for international organizations
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
Attn. [time series]
Office of Public and Agency Information
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 but are factionalized among the various mujahedin and former regime leaders
C [time series]
International Organizations and Groups
D [time series]
Abbreviations for Selected International Environmental Agreements
Dates of information [time series]
In general, information available as of 1 January 1994 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 183
E [time series]
Selected International Environmental Agreements
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,
Environmental Agreements and Appendix E [time series]
Selected International Environmental
Exchange rates (Exchange rate) [time series]
The value of a nation's monetary unit at a given date or over a
F [time series]
Weights and Measures
G [time series]
Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names appendixes have been added--Appendix D: Abbreviations for Selected International
GNP/GDP methodology [time series]
In the "Economy" section, GNP/GDP dollar estimates for the cut the real output of these countries by half. One additional caution: the
Gross domestic product (GDP) [time series]
The value of all final goods and services produced
Gross national product (GNP) [time series]
The value of all final 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 land area that is artificially supplied
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 4,188,036; fit for military service 2,245,196; reach military age (22) annually 158,335 (1994 est.)
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 money figures are expressed in contemporaneous US dollars
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
Note [time series]
Information for the US and US dependencies was compiled from material in
Population [time series]
Figures are estimates from the Bureau of the Census based on
Telecommunication systems (Telephone) [time series]
(202) 783-3238
Telecommunication systems (Telephone) [time series]
(202) 707-9527 magnetic tape, or diskettes for microcomputers from:
Telecommunication systems (Telephone) [time series]
(703) 487-4650
Telecommunication systems (Telephone) [time series]
(202) 707-5640
Telecommunication systems (Telephone) [time series]
(703) 351-2053
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
Geography
Area [time series]
total area: 647,500 sq km land area: 647,500 sq km 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]
current issues: soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification natural hazards: damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains (one measured 6.8 on the Richter scale in 1991); flooding international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]
periodic disputes with Iran over Helmand water rights; Iran supports clients in country, private Pakistani and Saudi sources also are 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); support to Islamic militants worldwide by some factions
Irrigated land [time series]
26,600 sq km (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]
Southern 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)
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
Capital [time series]
Kabul
Constitution [time series]
none
Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]
1 afghani (AF) = 100 puls
Digraph [time series]
AF
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
Economic aid [time series]
recipient: $450 million US assistance provided 1985-1993; USAID will stop all programs by mid-1994; the UN provides assistance in the form of food aid, immunization, land mine removal, and a wide range of aid to refugees and displaced persons
Electricity [time series]
capacity: 480,000 kW production: 1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 60 kWh (1992)
Exchange rates [time series]
afghanis (Af) per US$1 - 1,900 (January 1994), 1,019 (March 1993), 850 (1991), 700 (1989-90), 220 (1988-89); note - these rates reflect the free market exchange rates rather than the official exchange rates
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: President Burhanuddin RABBANI (Interim President July - December 1992; President since 2 January 1993); First Vice President Mohammad NABI Mohammadi (since NA); First Vice President Mohammad SHAH Fazli (since NA); election 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, later amended by multi-party agreement to 18 months. head of government: Prime Minister Gulbuddin HIKMATYAR (since 17 March 1993); First Deputy Prime Minister Qutbuddin HELAL (since 17 March 1993); Deputy Prime Minister Arsala RAHMANI (since 17 March 1993) cabinet: Council of Ministers
Exports [time series]
$243 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems partners: FSU countries, Pakistan, Iran, Germany, India, UK, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia
Debt - external (External debt) [time series]
$2.3 billion (March 1991 est.)
Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]
(202) 328-3516
Fiscal year [time series]
21 March - 20 March
Flag [time series]
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black, with the national coat of arms superimposed in the middle of the white band and large Islamic lettering superimposed over the green and white bands
Illicit drugs [time series]
an illicit cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug trade; world's second-largest opium producer after Burma (680 metric tons in 1993) and a major source of hashish
Imports [time series]
$737 million (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: food and petroleum products; most consumer goods partners: FSU countries, Pakistan, Iran, Japan, Singapore, India, South Korea, Germany
Independence [time series]
19 August 1919 (from UK)
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]
NA%
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
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, 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 local long form: Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan local short form: Afghanestan 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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (National product) [time series]
GDP $NA
Real GDP per capita (National product per capita) [time series]
$NA
Real GDP growth rate (National product real growth rate) [time series]
NA%
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
Economic overview (Overview) [time series]
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 14 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 3 million. About 1.4 million Afghan refugees remain in Pakistan and about 2 million in Iran. 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.
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; Jumbesh-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]
none; embassy was closed in January 1989
Unemployment rate [time series]
NA%
People
Birth rate [time series]
43.46 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate [time series]
18.94 deaths/1,000 population (1994 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]
155.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 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: 44.89 years male: 45.53 years female: 44.21 years (1994 est.)
Literacy [time series]
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) 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 (1994 est.)
Population [time series]
16,903,400 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate [time series]
2.45% (1994 est.)
Religions [time series]
Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi'a Muslim 15%, other 1%
Total fertility rate [time series]
6.27 children born/woman (1994 est.)