Republic of Afghanistan

Local Name: Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan
Surface : 652,225 sq km (251,773 sq miles) 
Population : 20.883.000 inhabitants
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Climate: Afghanistan has a typical continental dry climate with seasonal extremes, marked differences hetween day and night temperatures, and rapid transition from one season to the next. The mean temperatures are 0.0~C (32 0F) in January, 20 0 0}{\fs20 F) in May, 22.2 'C 20 F) in July, and 10.6 20 C (in November. In the plains of Jallalabad summer temperatures can reach 46.1while winter temperatures have been recorded in the higher plateau areas. The country suffers from the "Wind of 120 Days," which blows from June to September at velocities exceeding 177 km per hr (110 mph). Rainfall is scanty, nowhere more than 38 cm (15 in.) an\- nually. The rainy season extends from October to April.
Visas: Entry restrictions: Women of all nationalities should dress appropriately with a scarf to cover their heads and an overcoat for their bodies. PASSPORTS: Valid passport required by all. VISAS: Required by all except travellers holding a re-entry permit issued by Afghanistan.
Capital : Kabul. Population: 1,036,407 (1982).
System : Republic. Civil war since 1992.
Languages : Pashtu, Afghan Persian (Dari) , Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen), 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai)
Religions : Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi'a Muslim 15%
Money :   Afghani (Af) = 100 puls
Phone code  + 93
Greenwich Time + 4:30

Afghanistan