Introduction to Afghanistan

By Mohammad Osman, a Fulbright Program Scholar at Portland State University, Portland Oregon

Background• Over the course of history, the country had

many names such as Aryana, Khurasan, Bakhter and finally Afghanistan

• Afghanistan means the land of Afghans• Its people are called “Afghans”• Afghani is the name of its currency• Population: 32 Millions• Religion: 98% Muslim 2% Sikh (Hindu)

Geography

• Central Asia (NOT Middle East)• Land Locked• Mostly rugged mountains • Has 34 provinces “States”• Neighbors: Pakistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, China,

Tajikistan, Turkmenistan

Afghanistan, known as the heart of Asia connecting East, Central and Western Asia

Afghans: A diverse Nation

Major Ethnic Groups

• Pashtuns 42%

• Tajiks 28%• Hazaras 9%• Uzbeks 9% • Other 13%

Languages

Many Afghans are bilingual

Main languages spoken by Afghans are:• Dari Persian 50%• Pashtu 35% • Other 15%

Dari and Pashtu are Official Languages

Major Cities

Kabul Herat

Mazar Kandahar

Dress Culture

Food Culture Qabili Palaw Manto

Bolani Shorwa

History

• Relics show urbanization of the country since 3000 and 2000 B.C.

• Crossroads on ancient trade route (Silk road)• Served as a gateway between Mediterranean

china, India and other Asian countries over the course of the history

Afghanistan before the Soviet Invasion

Soviet Invasion/Civil War/Taliban

Afghanistan from 1970 to 2001

Afghanistan today

Natural Beauty of Afghanistan

We are hopeful, we go on

THANK YOU!!!