Blue Mosque in Mazari Sharif. Credit

More information about Afganistan from Wikipedia

Travel information from Wikitravel

The World Factbook - Afghanistan

Afghanistan Travel Books

Afghanistan is a landlocked country located between Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. The name Afghanistan means the "Land of Afghans".

The country has religious, ethnic, language and geographic associations with most of its neighbours and is bordered by Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and the People's Republic of China.

Throughout its long history Afghanistan has for more than 2,000 years been the subject of war and conquest. Currently Afganistan is again in turmoil and travelers are strongly advised to avoid visiting the country.

The terrain of Afghanistan consists mainly of rugged mountains to the north and the southwest. The Hindu Kush mountains run from the northwest to the southeast and separate the northern provinces from other regions of the country.

Afghans are an ethnically diverse people and tribal and local allegiances are very strong.