Location: Southwest Asia; northwest part of Indian subcontinent.               
Country Overview
Afghanistan is a landlocked country, sharing its borders with Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to the north, China to the northeast, Pakistan to the east and south and Iran to the west. On the eastern tip of the Iranian plateau, central Afghanistan is made up of a tangled mass of mountain chains. Kabul, the capital has only limited moderate and low-class accommodation; prices are often very low and include service charges. Only basic accommodation is available elsewhere. Kabul has little remaining from its historic past. The Garden of Babur and a well-presented museum are amongst the few conventional attractions for tourists. Travel outside the capital is not generally permitted. The cuisine is Indian in style. Afghan specialities include palau and kebabs. Traditional foods and tea from chai khanas are found in all areas at cheap prices including service. The national sport is the Buzkashi. It resembles polo, with the ball being replaced by the headless body of a goat.
Contact Addresses:   
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Chara-e-Malik Asqhar, Kabul, Afghanistan
Tel: 25541 or 25341.

Embassy of the Islamic State of Afghanistan
31 Prince’s Gate, London SW7 1QQ
Tel: (020) 7589 8891/2. Fax: (020) 7581 3452. Opening hours: 0900-1600 Mon-Fri; 0930-1330 (visa applications).
Note: The British High Commission in Islamabad deals with enquiries relating to Afghanistan (see Pakistan section).

Embassy of the Islamic State of Afghanistan
19th Floor, 369 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 972 1212. Fax: (212) 972 1216. E-mail: afghancons@aol.com
Note: The American Embassy in Islamabad deals with enquiries relating to Afghanistan (see Pakistan section).
General information:   Area: 652,225 sq km (251,773 sq miles).
Population: 20,414,000 (1994).
Population Density: 31.0 per sq km.
Capital: Kabul. Population: 1,036,407 (1982). 
Country dialling code: 93.
Geography: Afghanistan is a landlocked country, sharing its borders with Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to the north, China to the northeast, Pakistan to the east and south and Iran to the west. On the eastern tip of the Iranian plateau, central Afghanistan is made up of a tangled mass of mountain chains. The Hindu Kush is the highest range, rising to more than 7500m (24,600ft). The Bamian Valley separates the Hindu Kush from Koh-i-Baba, the central mountain range and source of the Helmand River. To the north and southwest of these mountains, alluvial plains provide fertile agricultural soil. To the northeast is Kabul, the capital. The other major cities are Jalalabad, Kandhar, Mazar-i-Sharif and Herat. Government: Republic. Civil war since 1992. Head of State: President Burhanuddin Rabbani since 1992. The Taliban ousted Rabbani’s Government in 1996 and installed a strict Islamic regime which is, however, not recognised by the UN; the Taliban control two-thirds of the country.
Language: The official languages are Pashto and Dari Persian.
Religion: Islamic majority (mostly Sunni), with Hindu and Sikh minorities.
Time: GMT + 4.5.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Communications:  At the time of writing, no telephone, fax, telex, telegram or postal services are available. Telephone/Fax: No ISD. In general, there is normally a severe shortage of lines for operator-connected international calls. Telegram: Under normal circumstances, these may be sent from the Central Post Office, Kabul (closes at 2100). Post: Airmail usually takes one week to reach Europe. Press: The Kabul Times is the main English-language newspaper.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice ):

Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov ):

Passport/Visa:

Entry restrictions: Women of all nationalities should dress appropriately with a scarf to cover their heads and an overcoat for their bodies.
PASSPORTS: Valid passport required by all. VISAS: Required by all except travellers holding a re-entry permit issued by Afghanistan.
Types of visa and cost: Single-entry: £20. Multiple- or Double-entry: £30. Business: £30. Visas for aid workers are free of charge. At the time of writing, Tourist visas and Transit visas are not being issued. Entry is generally granted to journalists, business travellers, members of the Red Cross and representatives of charities and medical organisations. Enquiries should be made at the Embassy for details about visiting Afghanistan. When a Business visa is required, it is necessary to write first to the Afghan Embassy, Consular Section, describing the purpose of the visit. Two to three days should be allowed for authorisation to be granted. Validity: 3 months from date of issue. Duration of stay depends on purpose of visit. Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see address section. Application requirements: (a) Company or sponsorship letter with name and address of commissioning firm or person. (b) Application form. (c) Valid passport. (d) 1 passport-size photo. (e) Fee. Note: Exit and re-entry permits must be obtained before attempting to leave Afghanistan.
Money:  Currency: Afghani (Af) = 100 puls. Notes are in denominations of Af10,000, 5000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Af5, 2 and 1.  Credit & debit cards: Not accepted.  Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Exchange rate indicators:   The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Afghani against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Banking hours: Generally 0800-1200 and 1300-1630 Sat-Wed; 0800-1330 Thurs.
Duty Free:          The following goods can be taken into Afghanistan without incurring customs duty:
A reasonable amount of tobacco products; any amount of perfume.
Prohibited items: Alcohol. The export of antiques, carpets, furs and camera film is prohibited without a licence.
Public Holidays:     Mar 6-8 2001 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 21 Nauroz (Persian New Year). Apr 7 Ashura (Martyrdom of Imam Hussein). Jun 7 Roze-Maulud (Birth of the Prophet). Aug 18 National Day. Nov 18 First Day of Ramadan. Dec 18-20 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Feb 26-28 2002 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 21 Nauroz (Persian New Year). Mar 26 Ashura (Martyrdom of Imam Hussein). May 26 Roze-Maulud (Birth of the Prophet). Aug 18 National Day. Nov 8 First Day of Ramadan. Dec 8-10 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). **Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the Moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last up to several days, depending on the region. For more information see the World of Islam appendix.
Health

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from endemic or infected areas. Travellers arriving from non-endemic zones should note that vaccination is strongly recommended for travel outside urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported and they would normally not require a vaccination certificate to enter the country.
2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Afghanistan. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix for further information.
3: Malarial risk, primarily in the benign vivid form, exists from May to November below 2000m (6562ft). The falciparum strain occurs in the south of the country. Chloroquine-resistant falciparum has been reported.
4: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from un-boiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information consult the Health appendix. Coetaneous leishmaniasis and tick-borne relapsing fever occur in Afghanistan. Hepatitis A and E are both present. Hepatitis B is endemic.  Health care: Medical care is very limited, doctors and hospitals demand immediate cash payment for most services. Medical insurance is essential.
Travel - International    AIR: Afghanistan’s national airline is Ariana Afghan Airlines (FG). At the time of writing, there are no commercial flights to Afghanistan. Travel to Afghanistan is strongly inadvisable at present. There is a United Nations presence in the country, with aid mission flights in operation. For further information, consult official government travel advice sources (see top of section for contact details). International airport: Kabul Airport (KBL) is 16km (10 miles) from the city. Taxis are available to the city centre (travel time – 30 minutes). Airport facilities include a bank, buffet-bar, car park, post office and restaurant (0700-2400). Airport facilities in Kabul have been expanded and new airports have been built near the border. At the time of writing, the airport was closed and all flights were being directed to a military airbase in Kabul. ROAD: Overland travel is currently very dangerous in some parts of the country, and the official advice is that it should be avoided. Buses operate along the Asia Highway, which links Afghanistan to Iran and Pakistan. There are good road links from Mazar-i-Sharif and Herat to the countries in the north.
Travel - Internal:   AIR: At the time of writing, there are no internal flight services in Afghanistan.  ROAD: There are over 22,000km (13,000 miles) of roads, some of which are paved. An arc of all-weather roads runs from Mazar-i-Sharif through Kabul and Kandhar to Herat. Bus services operate from Kabul to the provinces. Traffic drives on the right. Documentation: International Driving Permit required.  URBAN: Buses, trolleybuses and taxis operate in Kabul but often prove unreliable.
Accommodation:  There is a 5% government tax, but no service charge. In Kabul there is limited moderate and low-class accommodation; prices are often very low and include service charges. Only basic accommodation is available elsewhere. In some rural areas there are hotels run by the provincial authority, but these are of a low standard.
Social Profile:      Food & Drink: Indian-style cuisine. Most modern restaurants in Kabul offer international cuisine as well as Afghan specialities such as palau and kebabs. Traditional foods and tea from chai khanas are found in all areas at low prices, which normally include service. Afghan dishes can be very good, but very spicy, so visitors should take care when ordering. Shopping: Special purchases include Turkmen hats, Kandhar embroidery, I staff pottery, local glassware from Herat, nomad jewellery, handmade carpets and rugs, Nuristani woodcarving, silk ware, brass, copper and silver work. Note: Many craft items may only be exported under licence. Shopping hours: Generally 0800-1200 and 1300-1630 Sat-Wed; 0800-1330 Thu. Social Conventions: Outside Kabul, Afghanistan is still very much a tribal society. Religion and traditional customs have a strong influence within the family, and there are strict male and female roles in society. It is considered insulting to show the soles of the feet. Guests may have to share a room as specific accommodation is rarely set aside. Women are advised to wear trousers or long skirts and avoid revealing dress. Handshaking is an acceptable form of greeting, though nose-rubbing and embracing are more traditional. Smoking is a common social habit and tobacco is cheap by European standards. It is a compliment to accept an offered cigarette from your host. Photography: Care should be taken when using cameras. Military installations should not be photographed.
Business Profile:  Economy:  Seventeen years of continuous war completely wrecked the Afghan economy. Reconstruction of the agricultural sector, which accounted for about half of GDP, has been severely hampered by abandonment of farms and the huge number of minefields. Agricultural problems have led to recurring food shortages. Afghanistan could previously rely on extensive external aid, but opposition to the policies of the Taliban government, especially in the West, has sharply curtailed the amount of aid reaching the country. Many farmers relied on growing opium, but in 2000 the Taliban moved to destroy the bulk of the crop in the hope that international aid would be resumed: it was not, and the future of opium production in the country is now uncertain. The industrial sector, which barely functions, was formerly concentrated in mining and some manufacturing. There are significant deposits of natural gas, coal, salt, barite and other ores. The small manufacturing sector produces textiles, chemical fertilisers, leather and plastics. Some trade links have been established with the former Soviet Central Asian republics, but Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are now the strongest economic influences in the country.  Business: Price bargaining is expected and oral agreements are honoured. Formal wear is expected and meetings should be pre-arranged. Office hours: Generally 0800-1200 and 1300-1630 Sat-Wed; 0800-1330 Thurs.  Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mohd Jan Khan Watt, Kabul (tel: (2) 290 090); or the Federation of Afghan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Daraulaman Watt, Kabul.
Climate:   Although occupying the same latitudes as South-Central USA, the mountainous nature of much of Afghanistan produces a far colder climate. Being landlocked, there are considerable differences in temperature between summer and winter, and day and night in lowland regions and in the valleys. The southern lowlands have intensely hot summers and harsh winters.
History and Government:  History: The history of Afghanistan has been closely tied to that of Persia, India and Russia, all of which Afghanistan has regularly been in conflict with. Contact with Britain came about in the early 1800s: the British invaded Afghanistan twice in the following years and were ignominiously chased out both times. Although no country succeeded in pacifying the fractious Afghans, the Russian and British Imperial powers, both competed for influence in Central Asia.  It was not until the 1919 Treaty of Rawalpindi that Britain recognised Afghanistan's independence. During the 1920s King Amanullah brought about the modernisation of industry and trade, education and communications. He also signed treaties with Iran and Turkey that settled their various long-standing differences. However, political stability at home proved elusive and Amanullah was overthrown in a coup, one of a series that did not come to an end when King Zahir Shah took power in 1933. Under his rule, Afghanistan confirmed its traditional regional policy of non-alignment, endeavouring once again to steer an even course between British-controlled India and Russia. Relations with the former USSR were particularly good during the mid-1950s when Moscow, seeking to exploit the British withdrawal from India, provided substantial economic aid to Afghanistan. Zahir Shah was eventually overthrown by a coup in 1973 led by his cousin and former Prime Minister, General Sardar Mohammed Daoud (one of the architects of the reform programme) and Afghanistan was declared a republic. However, the new ruling party, the pro-Soviet People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), was deeply split between the rival Khalq (People) and Parcham (Flag) factions. This bitter internecine struggle was compounded by the growing conflict with the country's Islamic groups who resented much of the government's social reform. In April 1978, Taraki was ousted by his deputy and foreign minister Hafizullah Amin.  The coup led to fighting throughout the country between pro-government forces and Islamic guerrillas (known as mujaheddin). At this point the Soviet Union, which had become heavily involved in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, decided to intervene. In December 1979, the Soviets replaced Amin with Babrak Karmal and shored up the new regime with 80,000 troops to occupy and pacify the country. The stage was now set for the ‘Soviet Vietnam’ – a decade-long war between the Soviets and a coalition of Islamic, royalist and pro-Western guerrilla forces. The mujaheddin received extensive backing from the West, China and Pakistan and operated from bases in Afghanistan's remote mountainous regions and from over the Pakistan border, where an estimated five million Afghans fled as refugees during the course of the civil war. Here, many of the refugees attended Islamic religious schools where a new political movement, the Taliban – roughly, ‘students of religion’ – was born, with far-reaching consequences for Afghanistan. The mujaheddin could not hope to defeat the Soviets, but were able to fight them to a standstill. From 1986, the Soviets began to look for a way out. Three years later, in February 1989, the last Soviet troops pulled out.  Unexpectedly, the residual communist government put up unexpectedly strong resistance to the mujaheddin and it was April 1992 before they finally took control. The Taliban’s time had arrived. With discreet backing from Pakistan, Taliban fighters gradually pushed the old mujaheddin forces out until, by September 1996, they had control of 90 per cent of the country including Kabul. Taliban doctrine – as decreed by the movement’s reclusive leader Mullah Omar Mohammed – is notable for its doctrinaire nature and rigid adherence to a draconian interpretation of sharia Islamic law. Two decades of war had left the country barely able to function as an effective society or economy. However, subsequent events have made Afghanistan’s situation even more desperate. Taliban’s own policy decisions, the hostility of an uncomprehending outside world to the new regime, and other factors – including, most recently, the worst drought for half a century – have combined to isolate the country from the rest of the world and undermine its reconstruction efforts.
Government: The Taliban-controlled region of the country is governed by an appointed council of ministers. Elsewhere, there is little by way of formal government; the dominant military force in each area is responsible for social and political control.
Resorts & Excursions
Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, has preserved only a fraction of its historic past. The Garden of Babur and a well-presented museum are among the few conventional attractions for tourists. Travel outside Kabul is not generally permitted to tourists but, if allowed, it is worth trying to visit the Valley of Paghman, 90 minutes by road west of the capital, where the rich had second houses; and, to the north, Karez-i-Amir, Charikar and the Valley of Chakardara. Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar Province, used to be an attractive winter resort, with many cypress trees and flowering shrubs.
Consisting of two huge mountain ranges, the Hindu Kush is a wild and remote region. Although travelling by car is possible, the steepness of the routes makes vehicles prone to breakdowns. The Hindu Kush is best left for travellers prepared to rough it. For those who make the journey, the mountains, valleys and lakes provide stunning scenery. Bamian is the main centre.