A Short Note on Afghanistan

Afghanistan, also known as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The largest state in the country, Kabul, is its capital. Though the origin of Kabul is unknown, its first mention was in the Hindu scripture. Afghanistan is a country present in the Asian continent and is a landlocked country, meaning it has only land borders. It is the 37th most populated and 41st largest country in the world. It is bordered by Turkmenistan in the north, Pakistan in the south and the east, and Iran in the west. The National game of the country is buzkashi, or goat-grabbing. The national bird is the Golden Eagle, and the national animal is Snow Leopard.

Capital of Afghanistan 

Kabul serves as the capital of Afghanistan, which also happens to be the largest city in the country. It is divided into 22 districts, and as per estimates for 2021, it has a total population of about 4.7 million. Kabul is mainly known for its palaces, bazaars, and historic gardens. From 2001 to 2021, the city was occupied by a coalition of forces, including NATO. In 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. 

History

The origins of Kabul, who built it, and when are largely unknown. The first mention of the Kabul River is made in the Hindu scripture Rigveda, which dates back to 1500 – 1200 BC. Kabul was annexed by Alexander and, after his death, by General Seleucus. They had good trade relations with the Mauryan Empire here in India. 642 AD was the year when modern-day Afghanistan became a part of the Islamic Conquest. Muslims were a minority in the land until Ya’qub bin Laith as-Saffar of Zaranj conquered Kabul. In 1504, the city fell to Babar, and then it became a major city in the Mughal Empire. Soon, Kabul was established as a major trade centre for textile and leather industries and was established as a bazaar city. Currently, Afghanistan is under the control of the Taliban, which overthrew the NATO-backed government in 2021. 

Geography

Afghanistan is landlocked in the Asian continent, with Kabul as its capital. The city covers an area of approx. 1,000 sq. km. The Logar River flows into Kabul from the south, meeting the Kabul River. The county is spread across an area of 652,860 sq. km.

Climate

The country has a fairly cool, subcontinental, and arid climate. It has a cool climate compared to most of southwest Asia due to mountains and high elevation. Precipitation is mostly concentrated in winters and springs. 

Environment 

Climate change has brought a lot of changes to the country since the 21st century. Most rivers run dry throughout the year and only fill up in the winters and spring seasons. Kabul has a lot of large lakes and wetlands, like Kol-e Hashmat Khan and Qargha, which provides a resting place and habitat for a lot of birds, with a lot of rare bird sightings reported. Air pollution is the major problem in the country, mostly in the winters, when locals burn low-quality fuels. 

Demographics

The country’s population was reported to be 3.8 million in 2020. Kabul had a population of about 10,000 in 1700 AD, which rose to 120,000 by 1940. Kabul became one of the fastest-growing cities in the world between 2001 to 2014, partly due to the fall of the Taliban Regime. About 45% of Kabul’s population are Tajiks. The majority of Muslims in the city are Sunni Muslims, whilst only 25% are Shias. Other religions present in the city are Sikhism and Hinduism. 

Sports

Cricket has predominantly been the only sport to be played in the country alongside football, with 2-3 sports complexes reserved for it. The different sports complexes include Alokozay Kabul International Cricket Ground, Ghazi Stadium used for football, and the Olympic Committee Gymnasium.

Economy

The country’s economy is run on products like fresh and dried fruits, nuts, beverages, Afghan rugs, leather and sheepskin products, antique replicas, furniture, and domestic clothes. The US has invested more than $9 billion in the urban infrastructure development of Afghanistan. The constant wars between insurgents and the governments have come in the way of Kabul becoming a developed city. The first mall in Kabul was opened in 2005. According to reports, the Afghan Government Officials are the third most corrupt officials in the world. In 2012, a whopping $4 billion was paid in bribes to public officials. Each year, 20,000 tourists visit the country. 

Culture

The old part of the city is filled with bazaars along the narrow streets, including the Mandawi and Bird Market. Cultural sites include the National Museum of Afghanistan, the Darul Aman Palace, the tomb of Babur at the Bagh-e Babur, and the Minar-I-Istiqlal built after the Third Afghan War. Other places of interest include the Kabul City Centre, Kabul Zoo, Shah-Do Shamshira, and other famous mosques.   

National Animal of Afghanistan

The Snow Leopard is considered to be the National Animal of Afghanistan. There is no apparent reason why the Snow Leopard is the national animal of Afghanistan, but sources say that the courage and bravery of Afghans are similar to the snow leopard. 

Conclusion

Afghanistan, a country in the Asian continent, shares its borders with Pakistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and China. Recently, it was in the news as the country was captured by the Taliban. When Kabul was captured, it led to the victory of the Taliban in overtaking the country.