Geography of Afghanistan
Overview of the geography of Afghanistan
Afghanistan is a landlocked mountainous country located on the Iranian Plateau, at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. The country is the 40th largest in the world in size. Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan, located in the middle of Kabul Province. With a location at the intersection of major trade routes, Afghanistan has attracted a succession of invaders since the sixth century BC.
Afghanistan contains most of the Hindu Kush. There are a number of major rivers in the country, including Amu Darya, Arghandab, Farah, Gambila, Hari, Helmand, Kabul, Kokcha, Kunar, Kunduz, and Panj. The country also possesses many smaller rivers as well as streams, canals, lakes, ponds, and springs. Most of its fresh water historically flowed into neighboring countries.
Area and boundaries
Area
total: 652,864 km2 (252,072 sq mi)
country rank in the world: 40th
land: 652,230 km2 (251,830 sq mi)
water: 630 km2 (240 sq mi)
Area — comparative
Australia comparative: approximately 2/3 the size of South Australia
Canada comparative: approximately the size of Saskatchewan
United Kingdom comparative: approximately 2+2/3 times the size of the United Kingdom
United States comparative: about nine percent smaller than the state of Texas
EU comparative: slightly larger than France
Land boundaries
total: 5,987 km (3,720 mi)
border countries: Pakistan 2,670 km (1,660 mi), Tajikistan 1,357 km (843 mi), Iran 921 km (572 mi), Turkmenistan 804 km (500 mi), Uzbekistan 144 km (89 mi), China 91 km (57 mi)
Coastline
0 km
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Mountain systems
The Hindu Kush mountain range reaches a height of 7,492 m (24,580 ft) at Noshaq, Afghanistan's highest peak. Of the ranges extending southwestward from the Hindu Kush, the Foladi peak (Shah Foladi) of the Baba mountain range (Koh-i-Baba) reaches the greatest height: 5,142 m (16,870 ft). The Safed Koh range, which includes the Tora Bora area, dominates the border area southeast of Kabul.
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