Geography
| Area | 250,000 sq mi (647,500 sq km) about the size of Texas |
| Land boundaries | North: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan Northeast: China South and East: Pakistan West: Iran |
| Climate | Arid to semi arid, hot summers and cold winters. |
| Landscape | The Hindu Kush mountain range splits the landlocked country along a north-south divide, rising in the east to heights of 24,000 ft. in the Wakhan corridor. The capital, Kabul, lies in the southern foothills. With the exception of the southwest, most of the country is covered by high snow-capped mountains and is traversed by deep valleys. |
| Arable land | 12.13% |
People
| Afghanistan | As compared to United States | |
| Population | 31,844,48 (July 2014 est) CIA Wold Factbook | 318,892,103 |
| Infant Mortality rate Babies who die before their 1st birthday CIA World Factbook |
117 deaths/1,000 (highest in the world, est 2014) | 6/1000 |
| Child Mortality rate (under age 5) UNICEF 2013 | 97/1000 (2nd highest world) | 6.7/1000 |
| Life expectancy CIA World Factbook |
50.5 years old | 78 years old |
| Median Age 64% of population is younger than this age | 18 years | 40 years |
| Total Fertility Rate Average children born per woman CIA World Factbook |
5.43 children | 2.06 children |
| Live in rural areas | 77% | 18% |
| Ethnic groups | Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%, Baloch 2%, other 4% | |
| Religions | Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi’a Muslim 19%, other 1% | |
| Languages | Dari (Afghan Persian) 50%, Pashtu 35% (both official), other Turkic and minor languages | |
| Internally Displaced Persons (2014) | 574,327 |
Education
| Literacy rate % of pop above age 15 that can read and write UNICEF 2013 est. | 61.9% male 32.1% female |
| Attend Primary School UNICEF 2013 | 64.4% male 48.3% female |
| Attend Secondary School UNICEF 2013 | 42% male 23% female |
Child Labor and Marriage
| Child Labor UNICEF 2013 | 11% male 9.6% female |
| Married by 15 UNICEF 2013 | 15% total population |
| Married by 18 UNICEF 2013 | 40.4 % total population |
Government and Economy
| President | Ashraf Ghani |
| Independence | 19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs) |
| Constitution | New constitution signed 16th January 2004 |
| GDP per capita CIA World Factbook |
$1,100 (2013 est.) |
| Monetary unit | Afghani |
*Unless otherwise noted, source is CIA World Factbook Dec 2014
Unfortunate Distinctions—Reasons to Help
These facts define the Afghanistan of yesterday; our collective efforts shape the Afghanistan of tomorrow.
The following facts are important issues to remember as the country continues to realize tangible progress every month thanks to ongoing support by donors like you. We can help Afghans rebuild their lives and country.
- Top 10 Most Dangerous Country List
2,412 civilian casualties in 2009 (Forbe’s Magazine 2010)
- World’s Highest Maternal Mortality Rate
18,000 deaths/year (UNICEF 2013)
- World’s 2nd Worst Place to be Born
Source: UNICEF (2013)
- World’s Largest Refugee Population
2,887,123 refugees in 2010 (UNHCR 2013)
- Population Below Poverty Line
36% (2008/09) (CIA World Factbook)
- World’s 2nd Least Developed Country
Source: United Nations Development Index (2009)
- The 4th Most Landmines on Earth
10,000 mines, 10-12 deaths/day (UNICEF 2013)
- In the Top 20 of Lowest Human Rights
Source: Freedom House (2010) (all from Noshaq)
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