Afghanistan
Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South Asia known for its rich history, rugged mountains, and strategic cultural crossroads.
| Flag |  |
|---|---|
| Country Code ISO2 | AF |
| Country Code ISO3 | AFG |
| Country Code Numeric | 004 |
| Capital | Kabul |
| Currency | Afghani |
| Currency Code | AFN |
| Internet TLD | .af |
| Calling Code | +93 |
| Time Zone | UTC +04:30 |
| Driving Side | Right |
| Area (sq. kms) | 647,500 |
| Demonym | Afghan |
| Official Language | Dari, Pashto |
| Largest City | Kabul |
| Date Format | DD/MM/YYYY |
History
Afghanistan’s history is shaped by its position at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East, making it a focal point for trade, migration, and conquest for thousands of years. The region was part of ancient empires such as the Achaemenid Persian Empire and later saw the arrival of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE, which introduced Hellenistic influences. Over the centuries, it became a center of Buddhist culture before the spread of Islam in the 7th century transformed its religious and cultural landscape. During the medieval period, dynasties like the Ghaznavids and Ghurids expanded influence across the Indian subcontinent.
In the 18th century, modern Afghanistan began to take shape under Ahmad Shah Durrani, often regarded as the founder of the Afghan state. The country later became a buffer zone during the 19th-century rivalry between the British Empire and Russian Empire in what is known as the The Great Game. Afghanistan maintained relative independence despite several Anglo-Afghan wars.
The 20th century brought significant political changes, including the establishment of a monarchy, its eventual overthrow in 1973, and subsequent instability. In 1979, the Soviet–Afghan War began after a Soviet invasion, leading to a decade-long conflict that deeply affected the country. Following the Soviet withdrawal, Afghanistan faced civil war, the rise of the Taliban in the 1990s, and later international intervention after 2001. The recent decades have been marked by ongoing efforts toward political stability amid complex internal and external challenges.