33 Countries of Origin’ Profiles

2 Basic Data about Afghanistan Area: 652,864 sq km Population: 33 370 000 Life expectancy: females: 45,3 years; males: 44,8 years Ethnic groups: Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%, Baloch 2%, Pashai, Nuristani, Gujar, Arab, Brahui & Pamiri 4% Religion: 99, 7% Islam; 90% Sunni Islam; minority of Shiites, Hindus & Sikhs Unemployment: 8, 5% Capital city: Kabul: 4635000 People Major cities: Kandahar, Herat Literacy: 38, 2%; females: 24, 2%; males: 52,2% Language: Pashto & Dari Persian Government/ President: Islamic Republic/ Aschraf Ghani Flag of Afghanistan C. K. Raju The current flag of Afghanistan has been used since 2004, when the Taliban regime was removed. Since gaining the independence in 1919, the flag has undergone many changes in relation to political events. The current form of the flag is inspired by the flag that was used during the monarchy and differs only in the national emblem in the middle of the flag. Currently, it consists of a vertical tricolor of black, red, and green and national emblem in the middle of the red stripe. The yellow national emblem consists of a mihrab (a niche in a mosque) and minbar (pulpit) placed in a wreath bearing an inscription "God is great". Black: symbolizes Afghanistan’s troubled past Red: blood shed for Afghanistan’s independence Green: represents hope for the future, prosperity and Islam as it is believed to be a favorite color of Prophet Muhammad and his daughter, Fatima. Green is also mentioned several times in the Quran, in relation to paradise.