Afghanistan

Official name: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Capital city: Kabul. Other main cities are Herat, Jalalabad, Kandahar and Mazar-e Sharif

Area: 652,230 square kilometers (251,745 square miles)

Population: Estimated to be 30 million (UN) with an estimated total of two million refugees in Pakistan and 915,000 in Iran (UNHCR)

People: The population comprises of numerous ethnic groups, the major ones being Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Chahar Aimaks, Turkmen and Balochs

Languages: Dari (related to Farsi) and Pashto

Religions: Approximately 99% Islam – around 80% of whom are Sunni Muslim

Currency: The Afghani

Government type: Islamic republic

U.S. – Afghanistan relations:

The United States has made a commitment to assist the government of Afghanistan and Afghan people by providing resources and expertise to Afghanistan in a variety of areas, including humanitarian relief and assistance, capacity-building, security needs, counter-narcotic programs, and infrastructure projects. Additionally, the United States encourages the government of Afghanistan to combat corruption, and building upon democratic reforms, including a commitment to women rights and better governance.

Afghanistan and United States are both members of international institutions, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, and World Bank. Moreover, Afghanistan has previously signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the United States.

Reference: U.S. State Department