Afghanistan is one of the world's poorest countries.
Many years of war and political instability have
left the country in ruins, and dependent on foreign
aid. The main source of income in the country is
agriculture, and during its good years, Afghanistan
produces enough food and food products to provide
for the people, as well as to create a surplus for
export. The major food crops produced are: corn,
rice, barley, wheat, vegetables, fruits and nuts. In
Afghanistan, industry is also based on agriculture,
and pastoral raw materials. The major industrial
crops are: cotton, tobacco, madder, castor beans,
and sugar beets. Sheep farming is also extremely
valuable. The major sheep product exports are wool,
and highly prized Karakul skins. Afghanistan is a
land that is rich in natural resources. There are
numerous mineral and precious stone deposits, as
well as natural gas and yet untapped petroleum
stores. Some of these resources have been exploited,
while others have remained relatively unexploited.
Other Facts
- The unit of money in Afghanistan is the
Afghani (AFA), divided into 100 puls.
- The fiscal year is from 21 March—20 March.
- Export Partners: US, France, India, Pakistan
- Import Partners: Pakistan, South Korea, Japan,
Germany, Turkmenistan, Kenya, US, Russia
- External debt: $8 billion
- GDP: $4 billion (2002-03 est.).
- Per capita GDP: $180-$190 (based on 22 million
population estimate).
- Purchasing parity power: $19 billion (2002
est.)
- GDP growth: 28.6% (2002-03 est.)
- by Abdullah Qazi (Last updated
March 23, 2008)
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