Afghanistan

Country Profile GEOGRAPHY: Slightly smaller than Texas Slightly smaller than Texas Southern Asia: north and west of Pakistan and east of Iran Southern Asia: north and west of Pakistan and east of Iran Central Asia: Bordered on the north by– Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan as well as on the northeast a tiny border with China Central Asia: Bordered on the north by– Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan as well as on the northeast a tiny border with China High snow-capped mountains—Hindu Kush, also called the “Roof of the World” and is traversed by deep valleys High snow-capped mountains—Hindu Kush, also called the “Roof of the World” and is traversed by deep valleys

People and Language ETHNICITIES: About 30 million About 30 million Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Aimaqs, Baluchs and others… Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Aimaqs, Baluchs and others… Live in urban and rural areas Live in urban and rural areas Rural: Tribal system– Jirga or Council Rural: Tribal system– Jirga or Council

LANGUAGE: Over 70 languages and dialects Over 70 languages and dialects Pashto and Dari (Afghan Persian) are the two main official languages Pashto and Dari (Afghan Persian) are the two main official languages Share some languages with neighboring countries Share some languages with neighboring countries

FOOD: Nice and delicious food Nice and delicious food Usually eat on the floor using Toshak Usually eat on the floor using Toshak Nan, Qabuli Palaw, Kabab, Manto, Ashaq and Piraki are the Afghan traditional food Nan, Qabuli Palaw, Kabab, Manto, Ashaq and Piraki are the Afghan traditional food The best fruit in the region: Afghan apples, grapes, pomegranate, melon, watermelon, raisins, pistachio and almonds are the most famous ones. The best fruit in the region: Afghan apples, grapes, pomegranate, melon, watermelon, raisins, pistachio and almonds are the most famous ones.

Short History 5,000 years of history 5,000 years of history Independence day, August 19, 1919 from U.K. Independence day, August 19, 1919 from U.K. The Soviet invasion 1979 The Soviet invasion 1979 The Mujahideen takes over and the civil war starts 1992 The Mujahideen takes over and the civil war starts 1992 The Taliban (students) takes over 1996 The Taliban (students) takes over 1996 The U.S. and International Coalition overthrow the Taliban in 2001 The U.S. and International Coalition overthrow the Taliban in 2001 Presidential and parliament election in 2004 and 2005– Hamid Karzai was elected as a first democratic president of Afghanistan. Presidential and parliament election in 2004 and 2005– Hamid Karzai was elected as a first democratic president of Afghanistan.

Life Under the Taliban, Brutally oppressed the Afghan people (specially women) Brutally oppressed the Afghan people (specially women) Prevention of girls from going to school and women from working outside Prevention of girls from going to school and women from working outside Pakistan, Iran and other neighbor's intervention Pakistan, Iran and other neighbor's intervention Dictatorship Dictatorship Fear Fear Terror and country’s isolationism Terror and country’s isolationism

Post Taliban Afghanistan, About 6.5 million children who were banned from attending schools are now going back to school after 5 years About 6.5 million children who were banned from attending schools are now going back to school after 5 years Establishment of the Ministry of Women Affairs for the first time in its history Establishment of the Ministry of Women Affairs for the first time in its history More than 6 million Afghan refugees who were living in Pakistan and Iran are now returning home and half of them already returned. More than 6 million Afghan refugees who were living in Pakistan and Iran are now returning home and half of them already returned. Building the infrastructure of the country Building the infrastructure of the country

Afghan Kids Struggling to find a loaf of bread Struggling to find a loaf of bread Helping their mom or dad to earn some money-- average 6$ per month Helping their mom or dad to earn some money-- average 6$ per month Carpentry is most common in the north Carpentry is most common in the north Feeding animals in nomadic lives Feeding animals in nomadic lives Moreover, asking for one Afghani, 2 cents, on the streets Moreover, asking for one Afghani, 2 cents, on the streets No electricity at night, no heat in winter, no shelter in summer… No electricity at night, no heat in winter, no shelter in summer…

Hope for Tomorrow! In addition to all these problems, poverty and inconvenience, BUT, they still go to school… In addition to all these problems, poverty and inconvenience, BUT, they still go to school… They still struggle for learning and earning something… They still struggle for learning and earning something… They still do not feel tiered walking hours to get to school… under the burning sunshine and freezing cold, bare feet… They still do not feel tiered walking hours to get to school… under the burning sunshine and freezing cold, bare feet…

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