Afghanistan

In brief

Afghanistan is a country in South Asia. Its capital is Kabul. With 43.8 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 36th in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 652,230 km². Landlocked, it shares land borders with China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

GDP per capita stands at $417 (2024), 192nd in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 66.3 years (2024). 26% of the population lives in cities.

History of Afghanistan

A crossroads of the Silk Roads, Afghanistan was home to the giant Buddhas of Bamiyan, destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. The modern Afghan state was born in 1747 under Ahmad Shah Durrani. In the 19th century it was caught up in the “Great Game” between the British and Russian empires, and it gained full independence in 1919. The monarchy fell in 1973; the Soviet invasion (1979-1989) was followed by civil war and a first Taliban regime in 1996. Overthrown in 2001 by a US-led intervention, the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, without recognition at the UN.

Geography of Afghanistan

A mountainous, landlocked country, Afghanistan is crossed by the Hindu Kush, where Noshaq reaches 7,492 m. The Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip of land, links it to China. Deserts cover the south and west; the Amu Darya forms part of the northern border.

Map of Afghanistan

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Flag of Afghanistan

The flag of Afghanistan is red, white, green and black. Its official proportions are 2:3 (height to width).

• Green33%
• Black31%
• Red28%
• White7%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

The black, red and green flag bearing an emblem with a mosque is that of the Islamic Republic, still used at the UN. Black recalls the past, red the blood shed for independence, green hope. The Taliban use a white flag bearing the Muslim profession of faith.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Afghanistan” and “Flag of Afghanistan”.

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Fact file

Economy and society