Afghanistan: flag, capital, currency and history
Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a country in Southern Asia, Asia. Its capital is Kabul. The currency is the Afghan afghani. Languages spoken include Dari, Pashto and Turkmen.
Quick facts about Afghanistan
- Official name
- Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
- Capital
- Kabul
- Region
- Asia, Southern Asia
- Currency
- Afghan afghani (AFN, ؋)
- Languages
- Dari, Pashto, Turkmen
- Calling code
- +93
- Internet domain
- .af
- Area
- 652,230 km² (251,827 sq mi)
- Land borders
- Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, China
- Demonym
- Afghan
- National day
- Independence Day, August 19
Flag of Afghanistan
Download the flag of Afghanistan as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇦🇫.
History of Afghanistan
Lying along ancient trade routes between Central, South and West Asia, the territory of Afghanistan was ruled by many empires, including the Achaemenid Persians, Alexander the Great, and later Islamic dynasties. The Durrani Empire, founded in 1747, is regarded as the origin of the modern Afghan state. During the nineteenth century it was a buffer between the British and Russian empires, and British forces fought several wars there. Full control of foreign affairs was regained in 1919. A monarchy gave way to a republic in 1973, followed by decades of conflict. The country is a landlocked state with Kabul as its capital.
Key dates
- 1747Ahmad Shah Durrani founds the Durrani Empire, centred on Kandahar.
- 1839The First Anglo-Afghan War begins; British forces withdraw by 1842.
- 1919Afghanistan regains control of its foreign affairs after the Third Anglo-Afghan War.
- 1973The monarchy is overthrown and a republic is declared.
- 1979Soviet forces intervene in the country, beginning a decade-long war.
- 2001A US-led intervention removes the Taliban government.
- 2021The Taliban retake control of Kabul and the country.
A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.
Currency of Afghanistan
Afghanistan uses the Afghan afghani (AFN, ؋). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.
Festivals and greetings in Afghanistan
Celebrations observed in Afghanistan, with free greeting images and wishes you can personalise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Afghanistan?
The capital of Afghanistan is Kabul.
What currency does Afghanistan use?
Afghanistan uses the Afghan afghani (AFN, symbol ؋).
What languages are spoken in Afghanistan?
Languages used in Afghanistan include Dari, Pashto and Turkmen.
What is the calling code of Afghanistan?
The international calling code of Afghanistan is +93. Its internet domain is .af.
Which countries border Afghanistan?
Afghanistan shares land borders with Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China.
On which continent is Afghanistan?
Afghanistan is in Asia, in the region of Southern Asia.
What is the national day of Afghanistan?
Afghanistan marks Independence Day on August 19.
Neighbours of Afghanistan
More countries in Southern Asia
Country data from the open mledoze/countries dataset (ODbL), with corrections. Flags from flag-icons (MIT).