Afghanistan and its 66 important Details for UPSC, PSC and Other Competitive Exams

Afghanistan and its Details Like , Capital, GDP, Currency, Geography, Economy, Defence, Culture, Natural resources, Habitat, Sports and all you want to know for UPSC, PSC and Other Competitive Exams.

Afghanistan and its Basic Details :

Category	Information
Name of the country	Afghanistan
Capital	Kabul
Independence Day	August 19, 1919
Major religions	Islam (predominantly Sunni)
Currency	Afghan afghani (AFN)
Continent	Asia
Top 5 Famous cities	Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, Jalalabad
Top 10 Famous persons	Ahmad Shah Durrani, Burhanuddin Rabbani, Malalai of Maiwand, Ashraf Ghani, Hamid Karzai, Ahmad Zahir, Abdul Ahad Momand, Abdul Rashid Dostum, Hafizullah Amin, Bacha Khan
Type of government	Islamic Republic
Main wars fought	Anglo-Afghan Wars, Soviet-Afghan War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
GDP	$19.29 billion (2020, World Bank)
5 popular tourist places	Bamiyan Valley, Herat, Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif, Band-e Amir

Geography of Afghanistan :

Category	Information
Geography	Landlocked, mountainous terrain, some plains
Area	Approximately 652,230 square kilometers
Population	Around 38 million (as of 2022)
Mountain Ranges	Hindu Kush, Pamir, Safed Koh, Koh-i-Baba, Spin Ghar
Mountain Peaks	Noshaq, Tirich Mir, Istor-o-Nal, Koh-i-Baba, Koh-i-Mondi
Rivers	Amu Darya, Helmand, Kabul, Hari River, Panj
Main Lakes	Hamun-i-Paktian, Qargha, Ab-i-Istada
Deserts	Dasht-e-Margo, Dasht-e-Khash
Plateau	Bamyan Plateau
Volcanoes	No active volcanoes
Crops & Vegetation	Wheat, corn, barley, fruits, nuts, cotton
Main Beaches	Afghanistan is landlocked and has no coastline
Neighboring Countries	Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan
Nearby Seas/Oceans	Landlocked; nearest ocean is the Indian Ocean
Length of Coastline	Afghanistan is landlocked and has no coastline
Top 5 Natural Resources	Natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite

Economy of Afghanistan :

Category	Information
Economy	Mixed economy, agriculture and services dominant
Major Industries	Agriculture, textiles, mining, telecommunications, construction
Revenue Sources	Agriculture, natural resources, foreign aid, services, industry
Top 10 Companies	Afghan Wireless, Roshan Telecom, Alokozay Group, Azizi Bank, …
Per Capita Income	Around $2,000 (as of 2022)
Top 5 Imports	Machinery, petroleum products, food, textiles, processed goods
Top 5 Exports	Opium, fruits, nuts, carpets, wool
Total Gold Reserves	Estimated at around 20-25 tons

Defence Power of Afghanistan :

Category	Information
Defence Budget	Varies (data not available for 2023)
Total Army Personnel	Approximately 180,000 (as of 2022)
Total Air Force Personnel	Approximately 7,000 (as of 2022)
Total Navy Personnel	Afghanistan is landlocked and has no navy
Defence Imports	Various weaponry, equipment from multiple sources
Defence Exports	Data not available for significant defense exports

Cultural of Afghanistan :

Category	Information
Main Festivals	Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Nowruz, Mawlāyānā, Jeshyn (Independence Day)
Main Religious Places	Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif, Shrine of Hazrat Ali in Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat Citadel, Pul-e Khishti Mosque in Kabul, Shah-e Doh Shamshira Mosque in Kabul
Main Arts and Dances	Attan (Afghan dance), Calligraphy, Carpet weaving, Miniature painting, Music (rubab, tabla)
Main Languages	Pashto, Dari (Afghan Persian), Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi
Famous Food and Cuisines	Kabuli Pulao, Mantu, Ashak, Bolani, Kebabs
UNESCO Protected Buildings	Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley, Citadel of Herat, Historic Centre of Kabul, Shahr-e-Gholghola (City of Screams)

Sports in Afghanistan :

Category	Information
National Game	Buzkashi (traditional horseback game)
Main Sports	Football (soccer), cricket, basketball, volleyball
Top Athletes	Rashid Khan (cricketer), Rohullah Nikpai (taekwondo), Maria Toorpakai (squash)
Top Sports Achievements	Qualification for ICC Cricket World Cup, Olympic bronze medal in taekwondo, international recognition of Rashid Khan in cricket

Natural Habitat and wild life of Afghanistan :

Category	Information
National Animal	Snow leopard
National Bird	Golden eagle
Main Forests	Band-e Amir National Park, Wakhan National Park
Main Recognized Natural Habitats	Pamir Mountains, Hindu Kush, Wakhan Corridor, Kabul Gorge

Biggest in the Afghanistan :

Category	Information
Biggest in the Country	Tallest Mountain (Noshaq)
Richest Man	Abdul Ghias Sherzai
Biggest Company	Afghan Wireless Communication Company
Tallest Building	Safi Landmark Hotel & Suites
Tallest Statue	The Minaret of Jam
Biggest Bridge	Pul-e Khishti Bridge
Tallest Mountain	Noshaq
Longest River	Helmand River
Biggest Forest	The forest cover is limited and not categorized as the biggest
Biggest Lake	Band-e Amir

Brief History Of Afghanistan :

The history of Afghanistan is incredibly rich and complex, marked by a series of conquests, empires, invasions, and geopolitical changes. Here’s a concise overview:

Ancient Afghanistan:

• Early Civilizations: Afghanistan’s history dates back to ancient times when it was a part of the region known as Bactria. It was home to various ancient civilizations, including the Persian Achaemenid Empire and the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great.
• Buddhist Influence: The region became a center for Buddhist culture, with the famous statues of Buddha in Bamiyan, a significant historical site.

Medieval Period:

• Islamic Conquest: Afghanistan witnessed the spread of Islam in the 7th century with Arab invasions. It became a part of various Islamic empires, including the Ghaznavid, Ghorid, and Timurid dynasties.
• Mongol Invasion: The region faced devastation during the Mongol invasions in the 13th century.

Modern Era:

• 19th Century: Afghanistan emerged as a buffer state between the British and Russian empires during the Great Game. It remained independent despite attempts at colonization.
• 20th Century: Afghanistan gained full independence from Britain in 1919. In the late 20th century, a series of political upheavals, including coups and monarchy changes, marked the country’s instability.

Recent History:

• Soviet Invasion: The late 20th century saw Soviet intervention in Afghanistan (1979-1989) leading to a protracted conflict between Soviet forces and Afghan mujahideen.
• Taliban Rule: The 1990s saw the rise of the Taliban, an Islamist group that took control of most of the country, imposing a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
• Post-9/11: The 2001 US-led invasion toppled the Taliban regime, leading to a new government and the establishment of a democratic system. However, the country continued to face internal conflicts, insurgency, and challenges in state-building.

Throughout its history, Afghanistan has been a crossroads of civilizations, cultures, and trade routes, which has contributed to its diverse ethnic makeup and complex geopolitical position. The country’s history reflects a constant struggle for stability, autonomy, and cultural identity amid external influences and internal challenges.

For NCERT MCQs Click this Link	For International Current Affairs Click this Link
For Class Wise NCERT Notes and Videos Click this link	For Daily Educational News Click this Link