Afghanistan,

Afghanistan (which literally means land of the Afghan) is a mountainous land-locked country located in Central Asia. It has a history and culture that goes back over 5000 years. Throughout its long, splendid, and sometime chaotic history, this area of the world has been known by various names. In ancient time, its inhabitants called the land Aryana.In the medieval era, it was called khorasan, and in modern times, its people have decided to call it Afghanistan. The exact population of Afghanistan in unknown, however, it’s estimated to be somewhere around 31 million. Afghanistan is a heterogeneous nation, in which there are four major ethnic groups: Pashtoons, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks.Numerous other minor ethnic groups (Nuristanis, Baluchis, Turkmens, etc.) also call Afghanistan their home. While the majority of Afghans (99%) belong to Islamic faith, there are also small pockets of Sikhs, Hindus and even Jews.The official language of the country are Pashto and Dari (Afghan Persian aka Farsi). The capital of Afghanistan is Kabul, which throughout history, was admired by many great figures, such as the great central Asia conqueror, Zahirudeen Babur.Unfortunately, due to many years of war, this great city has been shattered and nearly destroyed.Today Afghanistan is on a road to recovery, however, after decades of war, the economy is still in ruins, and its environment is a state of crises. After pushing the date back twice, Afghanistan’s presidential election were finally held on October 9, 2004. Over 8 million Afghan voted in the elections. The joint Electoral Management Body of Afghanistan certifies the elections on November 3rd, and declared Hamid Karzai, the interim President, the winner with 55.4 % of the votes. Karzai’s strongest challenger, Yunis Qanooni, came in 2nd with 16.3 % of the votes.With help from the United States and United Nations, Afghanistan adopted its new constitution, establishing the country as an Islamic Republic, in early January 2004.According to the constitution, the Afghanistan government consists of a powerful and popularly elected President, two vice presidents, and National Assembly consisting of two houses of people (Wolesi Jirga), and the House of Elders (Meshrano Jirga). There is also an independent Judiciary branch consisting of Supreme Court (Stera Mahkama), High Court and Appeal Court. The president appoints the member of the Supreme Court with the approval of the Wolesi Jirga. Assembly elections are planned for late 2005.Afghanistan in southwestern Asia bounded on the north by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan; on the east by china and part of the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir controlled by Pakistan; on the south by Pakistan; and on the west by Iran.Afghanistan monarchy from 1747 to 1973, when the king was overthrown by military officer and the country was proclaimed a republic dissolved in 1992 as the country erupted in civil war. Afghanistan lays across ancient trade an invasion routes from central Asia into India. This position has been the greatest influence on its history because the invaders often settled there. Today the population includes many different ethnic groups.Most of the present borders of the country were drawn up in the 19th century, when Afghanistan became a buffer state, or neutral zone, between Russia and British India.Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan.