INSIDE AFGHANISTAN

When most people think of Afghanistan they think of war and destruction,  but the country's geographic features are gorgeous.  Afghanistan's landscape is very dramatic.  Afghanistan is sometimes called the roof of the world because more than half the country's elevation is higher than 1 mile above sea level.  There are so many beautiful and diverse landscapes to explore!

 

Afghanistan is about the size of the state of Texas.  It is located in central Asia.  Afghanistan is considered landlocked because it is surrounded by other countries.  It is bordered by Iran to the west and Pakistan to the south and east.  Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China border the north.  The capital city of Afghanistan is Kabul.  Kabul is strategically located along the trade routes of south & central Asia.

 

Afghanistan has 3 main geographic regions.  They are the northern plains, the central highlands and the southern plateau.  The northern plains region has beautiful green valleys with flowing rivers and rolling hills.  This region is where most of the country's farmland is.  The central highlands is the biggest region in Afghanistan.  It is filled with huge mountains surrounded by desert.  The most famous mountain range is the Hindu Kush.  When the snow on the mountain tops melt it becomes the water source for the rivers.  The southern plateau region consists primarily of desert and semi-desert land.  The summer temperatures are very hot.  The winds in the summer create huge dust storms.  Lake Helmand is one of the few lakes in this region. 

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Because of its varied geographic features, Afghanistan is at risk for many types of natural disasters.  Earthquakes have frequently hit northern areas and sometimes make deadly landslides down mountains.  At higher elevations, avalanches are a common hazard.  Melting snows can create floods and mudslides that smother villages.  Droughts can occur for years in the south and east destroying crops and other vegetation.  

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Afghanistan can be recognized for its interesting geography and natural wonders.  If you can see past the destruction from war and natural disasters, you will discover the true beauty of Afghanistan.

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