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Afghanistan
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Location:
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Southern Asia, north of Pakistan
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Map references:
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Asia
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Area:
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total area:
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647,500 sq km
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land area:
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647,500 sq km
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comparative area:
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slightly smaller than Texas
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Land boundaries:
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total 5,529 km, China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan
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1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km
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Coastline:
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0 km (landlocked)
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Maritime claims:
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none; landlocked
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International disputes:
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periodic disputes with Iran over Helmand water rights; Iran supports clients
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in country, private Pakistani and Saudi sources also are active; power
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struggles among various groups for control of Kabul, regional rivalries
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among emerging warlords, traditional tribal disputes continue; support to
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Islamic fighters in Tajikistan's civil war; border dispute with Pakistan
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(Durand Line); support to Islamic militants worldwide by some factions
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Climate:
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arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
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Terrain:
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mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest
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Natural resources:
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natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, talc, barites, sulphur, lead, zinc,
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iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones
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Land use:
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arable land:
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12%
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permanent crops:
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0%
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meadows and pastures:
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46%
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forest and woodland:
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3%
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other:
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39%
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Irrigated land:
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26,600 sq km (1989 est.)
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Environment:
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current issues:
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soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests
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are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification
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natural hazards:
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damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding
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international agreements:
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party to - Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping,
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Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
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Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
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Note:
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landlocked
