Information on Afghanistan

Population: 31,889,923 (July 2007 est.)

Total Area: 647,500 sq km (250,000 sq. miles)

Boundary: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2430 km, Tajikistan 1206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km

Capital City: Kabul

Official Languages: Pashtu, Dari

Major Languages: Pashtu 42%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 43%, Turkic languages 11%, Minor languages 4% (est.)

Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 19%, Other (Hindu, Christian) 1% (est.)

Major Ethnic Groups: Pashtun 52%, Tajik 25%, Uzbek 6%, Hazara 12%, Other 5% (est.)

Minor Ethnic Groups: Chahar Aimaqs, Turkmen, Baloch, and others)

President: Hamid Karzai

President of the Wolesi Jirga: Mohammad Yunus Qanooni

President of the Meshrano Jirga: Hazrat Sebghatullah Mujaddidi

Country code: + 93

Currency: Afghani

Transportation: highways paved: 8,229 km, unpaved: 26,553 km (2004)

Political parties: While most of the major parties in Afghanistan once had close ties to military groups, many other fledgling parties have civilian roots and democratic intentions. For the 2005 elections, candidates were technically not allowed to indicate their political party affiliation on the ballot. In the 2009 elections, candidates have the option to declare party affiliation on the ballot paper. There are 85 parties registered in Afghanistan.