35 Interesting Fun Cool Afghanistan Facts for Kids and Everyone

(Last Updated On: October 12, 2021)

Afghanistan facts for kids will provide you with a glimpse of this landlocked Asian country. Afghanistan is a landlocked country with a diverse population in the heart of south-central Asia. Afghanistan has long been a prize desired by empire builders, lying along major trade routes connecting southern and eastern Asia to Europe and the Middle East. For millennia, great armies have attempted to subjugate it, leaving evidence of their attempts in vast structures now in ruins. This article will reveal many more Afghanistan facts for kids.

Many imperial ambitions have been dashed by the country’s forbidding environment of deserts and mountains, as well as the country’s fiercely autonomous peoples—so independent, in fact, that the country has long existed as a patchwork of warring ethnic groupings and ever-shifting alliances, Afghanistan facts for kids.

The present borders of Afghanistan were created in the late nineteenth century as part of the “Great Game” competition between imperial Britain and tsarist Russia, which Rudyard Kipling coined. Modern Afghanistan has become a pawn in ideological and commercial power conflicts, Afghanistan facts for kids. Afghanistan was devastated by civil conflict in the latter quarter of the twentieth century, which was worsened by the Soviet Union’s military invasion and occupation (1979–89). In succeeding military conflicts, a surviving Afghan communist state fought Islamic rebels (1989–92) and, after a brief period of control by mujahideen organizations, an austere movement of religious students known as the Taliban.

Kabul, Afghanistan’s biggest city, serves as the country’s capital. During the fabled reign of Emperor Bbur (1526–30), founder of the Mughal dynasty, and for centuries an important entrepôt on the Silk Road, Kabul was a peaceful city of mosques and gardens, Afghanistan facts for kids. After the lengthy and deadly Afghan War, Kabul lay in ruins. Much of the country suffered similarly, with its economy in disarray and its people dispersed and unhappy.

Afghanistan is totally landlocked—the nearest shore is 300 miles (480 kilometers) to the south—and, as a result of its remoteness and tumultuous political past, it remains one of the world’s least studied regions. Pakistan (including those portions of Kashmir governed by Pakistan but claimed by India) borders it on the east and south, Iran on the west, and the Central Asian republics of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan on the north, Afghanistan facts for kids. In the far northeast, it also shares a brief border with Xinjiang, China, near the end of the long, narrow Vkhn (Wakhan Corridor). Its total area is about equal to Norway’s.

The country’s soil quality ranges from poor to excellent. The soil types in the central highlands are desert-steppe or meadow-steppe. The northern plains feature highly rich, fertile, loesslike soils, but the southern plateau has infertile desert soils, with alluvial deposits found near rivers, Afghanistan facts for kids. Erosion is evident across the central highlands, particularly in areas prone to seasonal monsoons and significant precipitation.

Afghanistan has a broad range of temperatures. In the drought-stricken southwestern plateau area, daytime highs of above 95 °F (35 °C) are common. The maximum temperature, 120 °F (49 °C), was recorded in July in Jallbd, one of the hottest places in the country. January temperatures in the high mountains can dip to 5 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius), while a low of 24 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius) has been recorded in Kabul, which is located at a height of 5,900 feet (1,800 meters), interesting fun fact about Afghanistan for kids.

Large forest trees flourish in the upper elevations, with conifers such as pine and fir dominating. Some of these trees reach heights of 180 feet (55 meters). The fir line has an average elevation of over 10,000 feet (3,000 meters), Afghanistan facts for kids. Cedar grows abundantly between 5,500 and 7,200 feet (1,700 and 2,200 meters) in lower elevations; oak, walnut, alder, ash, and juniper trees grow below the fir and cedar lines. There are also shrubs, roses of various types, honeysuckle, hawthorn, currant and gooseberry bushes, and honeysuckle, hawthorn, and currant and gooseberry bushes.

Afghanistan is home to the majority of the subtropical temperate zone’s wild animals. Large animals, which were formerly plentiful, are now in short supply, and the tiger has vanished. Wolves, foxes, striped hyenas, and jackals are among the many wild creatures that still inhabit the slopes and foothills, Afghanistan facts for kids. There are a lot of gazelles, wild dogs, and wild cats like snow leopards.

Vultures and eagles are two examples of birds of prey that can be found in large numbers. During the spring and fall seasons, migratory birds abound. Pheasant, quail, cranes, pelicans, snipe, partridge, and crows are also plentiful.

Freshwater fish abound in the rivers, streams, and lakes, although their numbers are sparse, with the exception of the rivers on the Hindu Kush’s northern slopes, which are stocked with brown trout.

Since a partial census in 1979, Afghanistan has not had a national census, and years of conflict and population dispersion have rendered a precise ethnic count difficult. As a result, current population estimates are only approximations, although they reveal that Pashtuns make up around two-fifths of the population, Afghanistan facts for kids. The Durrn and Ghilzay are the two major Pashtun tribal groupings. Tajiks are estimated to make about one-fourth of Afghans, while Azra and Uzbeks each make up almost a tenth. Chahar Aimaks, Turkmen, and other ethnic groups make up a tiny percentage of the total population.

Afghanistan’s population is made up of a diverse mix of ethnic and linguistic groupings. The official languages of the nation are Pashto and Persian (Dari), both Indo-European languages. More over two-fifths of the population speaks Pashto, the Pashtun language, and nearly half speaks a Persian dialect, Afghanistan facts for kids. While the Afghan dialect of Persian is known as “Dari,” the Tajik, azra, Chahar Aimak, and Kizilbash peoples speak a variety of dialects of Persian, including dialects that are more closely related to the Persian spoken in Iran (Farsi) or the Persian spoken in Tajikistan (Tajik). A number of Turkish and Mongolian terms appear in the Dari and Tajik languages, and the transition from Dari to Tajik is difficult.

Almost everyone in Afghanistan is a Muslim, with roughly fourth-fifths of the population being Sunnis of the anaf branch. Others, like the Azra and Kizilbash, follow either Twelver or Isml Shia Islam. Although Sufism has had a long history in Afghanistan, only around one-tenth of Afghans belong to a Sufi order in the twenty-first century, Afghanistan facts for kids. The Nuristani are descended from the Kafir, a significant ethnic group that were forcefully converted to Islam in 1895, and whose territory was renamed Nrestn (“Land of Light”) instead of Kfiristn (“Land of the Infidels”). Hindus and Sikhs number in the thousands.

Afghanistan facts for kids

1. Afghanistan has a population of 32.4 million people. The land area of the nation is 250,000 square miles. Pashtu and Dari are the official languages. Afghanistan’s official religion is Islam.

2. The United States officially concluded its 20-year war in Afghanistan last night in Kabul, making it the longest conflict in American history.

3. Afghanistan is famous for its delicious fruits, particularly pomegranates, grapes, and extra-sweet jumbo-size melons.

4. Kabul is Afghanistan’s biggest city and the country’s capital. It has a population of 4,114 people and covers an area of 106 square miles (275 square kilometers).

5. Afghans are the people of Afghanistan, and their currency is Afghanis. Many individuals are perplexed by the words!

6. Except for individuals who are unwell, traveling, or dealing with other difficulties, fasting and prayer throughout the month of Ramadan is a must.

7. Afghanistan’s overall land area is 251,773 square miles (652,090 square kilometers), more than twice the size of the United Kingdom. Afghanistan benefited economically and culturally from its placement on the Silk Road route.

8. With a height of 7,492 meters (24,580 feet), Noshaq is Afghanistan’s highest peak.

9. Helmand is Afghanistan’s longest river.

10. The climate of Afghanistan is dry to semi-arid, with scorching summers and freezing winters.

11. Pashto and Dari are Afghanistan’s official languages. Pashto is spoken by around 35% of the people, whereas Dari is spoken by 50%. In reality, Afghanistan is home to thirty additional minor languages.

12. Islamic rules govern the Afghans’ legal, political, economic, and personal life.

13. Timur Shah moved Afghanistan’s capital from Kandahar to Kabul in 1776.

14. Afghanistan literally translates to “the land of Afghans.”

15. Surprisingly, in Afghanistan’s culture, some individuals lay their hand on their heart and nod slightly to indicate respect and agreement to the other person, in addition to handshakes.

16. If you wish to visit the great cultural and historical places that Afghanistan has to offer, use the coordinates 34.5333° N, 69.1333°. Rugged mountains dominate the landscape, however low plains may be found in the north and southwest of the nation.

17. Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, India, and China all have land borders with Afghanistan.

18. In addition, many of the weddings are between relatives.

19. Afghanistan’s culture emphasizes the importance of family. Men are supposed to work and provide for their families, whilst women are expected to stay at home and care for them. Some women in contemporary Afghanistan work for a living!

20. Every Friday, the Islamic holy day, the majority of the stores and enterprises are closed.

21. Historically, the term Afghan was used to refer to Afghanistan’s biggest ethnic group, the Pashtuns. Hudud al-‘Alam, a 10th-century geography text, has the oldest mention of the term.

22. Afghanistan is one of the world’s least developed countries, despite having over $1 trillion in confirmed undeveloped mineral reserves.

23. Arab Muslims propagated Islam in Afghanistan in 642 CE in the cities of Herat and Zarang.

24. Afghanistan’s major faiths before to the advent of Islam were Buddhism and Zoroastrianism.

25. The final Afghan empire was founded by Ahmad Shah Durrani, who was enthroned in 1747. He brought the land together into a single monarchy.

26. After his death in 1772, he was succeeded by his son, Timur Shah.

27. Some of the dishes in Afghanistan are: Kabuli Pulao (steamed rice and lamb), Aushak (leek and scallion dumplings), Bolani (flour dough with fillings), Sheer Khurma (milk with dates), Haft Mewa (fruit medley), Boranee Banjan (eggplant with yogurt topping), Saji Kabab (roasted lamb or chicken), and Lavash (thin bread with cheese or meat).

28. Divorce is uncommon in Afghanistan, and it is frowned upon.

29. Afghanistan gained independence (from Britain) on August 19, 1919, which is commemorated as a national holiday.

30. At least 50,000 people died in Afghanistan’s civil war, which lasted from 1992 to 1996.

21. In 2018, Afghanistan had a population of 37.17 million people, which is about half the population of the United Kingdom! Afghanistan is the world’s 37th most densely populated country. The population of Afghanistan is made up of 80% Sunni Muslims, 19% Shia Muslims, and 1% others.

32. Between 1996 to 2001, the Sunni Islamic fundamentalist political movement dominated Afghanistan for nearly 5 years.

33. Meals are typically served on the floor, on various types of clothing. Unless otherwise specified, it is usually shared from the same dish.

34. Afghanistan has earned the moniker “Graveyard of Empires.” The moniker comes from the fact that foreign countries have a history of failing in their invasions of Afghanistan.

35. Afghanistan is thought to have been inhabited by humans for at least 50,000 years.