Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a landlocked country located in Central Asia. It is bordered by Iran to the west, Pakistan to the east and south, and Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to the north. The country is multi-ethnic, with Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, Nuristanis, Pamiris and other smaller groups making up the population. Dari and Pashto are the official languages of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is a mountainous country with the highest point in the country being Mount Noshaq at 7,492 meters. It also has several major rivers, including the Amu Darya, the Helmand River and the Kabul River.

One of the primary reason for tourism in Afghanistan was to see the ancient Buddhist sites in the country, which date back to the 1st century AD. The most famous of these was the Bamiyan Buddhas, two 6th-century statues of standing Buddhas that were carved into the side of a cliff. Sadly the statues were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, and the ongoing conflicts in the country make it unsafe to visit.

The cuisine of Afghanistan is largely based on the produce of the country. Wheat, rice, fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy products are all staples of the Afghan diet. The national dish is a rice dish called qabuli, which is made with lamb, beef or chicken and is often served with raisins, carrots and almonds.