Afghanistan

History
Current- AlexaCurrent- Due to the continual warfare within the country, Afghanistan has very
little in way of existing infrastructure and no real prospects for economic growth. According to
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (or UNHCR for short), Afghanistan is
the top producer of refugees and has been for the past 32 years. due to this warfare.
Currently, access to health care remains limited due to the existence of conflict-affected
regions. Humanitarian efforts are expected to stay consistent along with a withdrawal of
international forces. The main framework of integration of refugees back into society is the
Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees. Currently, there is no national refugee legislation or
asylum.
For a timeline of Afghani conflicts visit: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12024253
Past - Afghanistan was the center of several empires. It was the base of action for many
rulers of India and included Greco-Buddhist kingdoms. In the eighteenth century, when the
decline of the Persian and Indian empires happened, Pashtun tribes emerged. Struggling to
be successful, Afghanistan often served as a buffer between Russia and British India.
Through many authorities that failed, Afghanistan finally found unity through the same
religion and relative autonomy of local communities.
Culture
Language - The official language of Afghanistan is Pashto and Dari. Both of these are IndoEuropean languages, and being bilingual isnt uncommon. Although these languages are
the most used in Afghanistan, other languages include; Uzbek, Arabic, Turkmen, Balochi,
Pashayi and Nuristani languages. A very small percentage of Afghans are fluent in English,
Urdu and other languages.
Food - Everyday food consists of flat bread cooked on an iron plate that is prepared in thea
fire or on the inner wall of a clay oven. Bread oftenOftentimes, bread is dipped ininto a light
meat stock. Yogurt and other dairy products (butter, cream, and dried buttermilk) are an
important element of the diet, as areas well as onions, peas and beans, dried fruits, and
nuts. Rice is eaten in some are an essential part of a healthy diet. Some areas and in urban
settlements eat rice. Scrambled eggs prepared with tomatoes and onions is a common meal.
Food is cooked with various types of oils. Tea is drunk all day. Other common beverages
are water and buttermilk. The common Islamic food prohibitions are respected in
Afghanistan.
Primary Religion - Islam
Social tab
Kids - Respect and obedience to elderly persons areis important values, but independence,
individual initiative, and self-confidence also are praised. The most important rite of
passage for a boyboys is circumcision, usually at age seven. BoysAt an early age, boys learn
early the duties of hospitality and, caring for guests, as well as looking after the livestock
or a shop, while girls. Girls begin helping their mothers as soon as they can stand. Both are
taught the values of honor and shame and must; learn when to show pride and when to
remain modest.
KIDS-FOR FUN
Soccer, outdoor activities

EducationThe nations education system was destroyed due to the decades of war, but in
2001 more than 5,000 schools were built or renovated in the last decade and more
than 1000, 000 teachers were trandes and recruited. 2013, more than 16,000
schools across afghanistan

Literacy is extremely low. Must go outside of the country to further their education.
Education is valued just no work for educated peoples International agency or a
nongovernmental organization

Gender Roles - - Male and Female roles are strongly differentiated.

Women have never participatedparticipate publicly in decision making processes. They are
admonished to be modest and obey the orders of their fathers, brothers, and husbands.
Nevertheless, as guardians ofHowever, in guarding family honor, women have more
power. Nomadic and peasant women play an important role in the domestic
economy and are not secluded in the same way as many urban women. Women take
care of children and uphold household duties.Shiite leaders stress the right of a woman to
participate in the political process, engage in independent economic activity, and freely
choose a husband.

Male and female roles are strongly differentiated. The public sphere is
the domain of men, and the domestic one is the realm of women. Women take care
of young children, cook for the household, and clean the house. They may have a
small garden and a few chickens. They weave and sew and in some areas make
rugs and felt. Among nomads, women make tents and have more freedom of
movement.men. In a peasant familyfamilies, men look after the sheep and goats, and
plow, harvest, thresh, and winnow the as well as plowing, harvesting, and tending crops.
Among bothIt is accepted that rural and urban people, a man men must not stay at home

during the day. During times of war, women take over many male-appointed duties; men
who work abroad must learn to cook, sew, and do laundry.
Education
The nations education system was destroyed in decades of war, but in 2001 more than 5,000
schools were built or renovated in the last decade. More than 1000,000 teachers were trained and
recruited. In 2013, more than 16,000 schools were functional across Afghanistan.
Literacy is extremely low. Afghans must go outside of the country to further their education.
Customs
Etiquette - Young people address elders not by name but by a title. Family surnames are
unusual, but nicknames are very common. Kinship terms often are used often to express
friendship or respect. Hospitality is a strong cultural value. When food is served, the host
waits until the guests have started eating. As soon as the dishes are cleared, guests ask
permission to leave unless they are spending the night.
Direct physical contact is avoided between men and women. It is considered rude to ask a
factual question or inquire about anything specific early in thea conversation. To express
affection, it is customary to complain, sometimes bitterly, about not having received any
news.

Economy Michael E. O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution estimated that if

Afghanistan generates about $10 bn per year from its mineral deposits, its gross
national product would double and provide long-term funding for Afghan security
forces and other critical needs.[145] The United States Geological Survey (USGS)
estimated in 2006 that northern Afghanistan has an average 2.9 billion (bn) barrels
(bbl) of crude oil, 15.7 trillion cubic feet (440 bn m3) of natural gas, and 562 million
bbl of natural gas liquids.[146] The country has significant amounts of lithium,
copper, gold, coal, iron ore, and other minerals. The Khanashincarbonatite in
Helmand Province contains 1,000,000 metric tons (1,100,000 short tons) of rare
earth elements.[149] In 2007, a 30-year lease was granted for the Aynak copper
mine to the China Metallurgical Group for $3 billion,[150] making it the biggest
foreign investment and private business venture in Afghanistan's history.[151] The
state-run Steel Authority of India won the mining rights to develop the huge Hajigak
iron ore deposit in central Afghanistan.[152] Government officials estimate that 30%
of the country's untapped mineral deposits are worth between $900 bn and $3
trillion.[100] One official asserted that "this will become the backbone of the Afghan
economy" and a Pentagon memo stated that Afghanistan could become the "Saudi
Arabia of lithium".[153]
Currency
Current economic standing

Economy
Although progress and growth of Afghanistan is hindered by constant warfare, the country has
potential for huge development and prosperity.
Current economic standing- Afghanistan is extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent
on foreign aid. Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages of housing, clean
water, electricity, medical care, and jobs. Criminality, insecurity, weak governance, lack of
infrastructure, and the Afghan Government's difficulty in extending rule of law to all parts of the
country pose challenges to future economic growth. Afghanistan's living standards are among the
lowest in the world. The international community remains committed to Afghanistan's
development, pledging over $67 billion at nine donors' conferences between 2003-10. In July
2012, the donors at the Tokyo conference pledged an additional $16 billion in civilian aid
through 2015. Despite this help, the Government of Afghanistan will need to overcome a number
of challenges, including low revenue collection, anemic job creation, high levels of corruption,
weak government capacity, and poor public infrastructure. Afghanistan's growth rate slowed
markedly in 2013. (http://www.indexmundi.com/afghanistan/economy_profile.html)
Currency- Afghan afghani (AFN)
1 AFN=0.01464 USD
Geography
I can do this geography tab if it's up for grabs - Alexa Afghanistan is about the size of

Texas with mountainous areas that are inhospitable for living. The Himalayas, Pamir, and

Karakorum Mountains come together to form the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan. The highest point
in Afghanistan is Mt. Nowshak at 24,446 ft. Several rivers run through Afghanistan, notably the
Amu Darya which provides fertile plain fronts in the north.