You can't get away from hearing about Afghanistan. Turn on the TV, the radio, open a newspaper and it's Afghanistan this, Afghanistan that. In case you're not sure what to believe about this country, here are the simple facts. No mumbo jumbo.
Famous Afghans 5p6e2r
Meena: Born in the capital city of Kabul, she is only known by her first name. Meena left university in the 1970s to organize and educate women. She founded the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA), created a bilingual magazine that advocated September 11th terrorist attacks.
A Brief History od Afghanistan 6tq5d
Afghanistan has been at war for hundreds of years. The country was first invaded by Asians about 1500 B.C. and then by the Persians. Alexander the Great conquered most of Afghanistan about 330 B.C. Since then, Arab Muslims, Mongols, the United Kingdom and Russia have all fought for control of the country. In 1919, the British bowed out and Afghanistan became independent.
In the late 1970s came invasion by the Soviet Union but it wasn't long before the locals rebelled - they didn't like the communistic policies. The Soviet Union sent in thousands of troops to battle it out with the rebels who called themselves mujaheddin, which means holy warriors. armed by the United States. In 1988, the Soviet troops began retreating from Afghanistan. Eventually, the mujaheddin overthrew the government. Several different coalitions began governing the country but they fought amongst themselves so things weren't stable.
Who Are the Taliban? m6f2h
By the late 1990s, a group of fundamentalist Islamic fighters called the Taliban had taken control of most of Afghanistan. The Taliban ("talib" is Pashto for 'religious student' or 'seeker of knowledge') were backed by Pakistan when they walked into Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. They executed the former communist president and hung his body up for everyone to see. The Taliban controlled more than 90 percent of Afghanistan until the United States removed them from power in 2002, following the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Afghan Critters 5r5c16
Five-toed Dwarf Jerboa: Picture skunks, polecats spray a nasty-smelling fluid from scent glands under the tail.
Afghanistan - Did U Know? 6m27d
- Afghanistan has the second largest number of land mines - there are over 10 million landmines scattered throughout the country. Between three and four percent of the population is disabled, thanks to fighting or mine accidents.
- Due to a poor health care system, one in four children dies before they turn five. 75 percent of the surviving children don't ever go to school.
- Under the Taliban, Girls and women weren't allowed to attend school or university. That would explain why only 47 percent of adult males and 15 percent of females can read.
Where have you been? Seen anything cool, scary, wild or freaky?
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