Afghanistan is one of the finest tourist
destinations and known for its dramatic mountain scenery and the
unparalleled hospitality of its people. The country is covered with valleys
and the beautiful mountain ranges dominate the landscape of Afghanistan.
Home to plentiful countryside and the rugged Hindu Kush mountain range,
travellers came for the clear mountain air and to see attractions like the
giant Buddha statues of Bamiyan. It contains some incredible treasures of
the world. Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan comprises of Mazar-e Sharif and
Northeastern Afghanistan is the home of most sacred site, Samangan. It is
famous for caves and shrines of Takht-e Rostam, a hidden Buddhist gem.
Attractions That Still Lures The Tourists
Minaret of Jam, and the Archaeological remains of the Bamiyan Valley were
both included in the World Heritage list by UNESCO. The Minaret of Jam, is a
65-meters high structure made in the twelfth century. The Bamiyan Valley on
the other hand contains numerous Buddhist monasteries and shrines. The
Bamiyan Valley is also testimony to the tragic destruction by the Taliban of
the two giant standing Buddha statues, which shook the world in March 2001.
Fast Facts
| National Name |
Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Afghanestan |
| Official Name |
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan |
| Capital City |
Kabul |
| Population |
31,056,997 (July 2006 est.) |
| Geographic Coordinates |
33 00 N, 65 00 E |
| Density |
119/ sq km |
| Major cities |
Kandahar, Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh, Herat |
| Languages |
Pashto, Persian or Dari (official) Balochi, Pashai,
Uzbek, Turkmen(commonly spoken) |
| Currency |
Afghani |
| Time Zone |
UTC+4.5 |
| National Holidays |
Independence Day, 19 August (1919) |
| Country Calling Code |
+93 |
| Internet Country Code |
.af |
