Afghanistan
Government: No functioning central government ministered by factions Leader: Talibans Mullah Mohammed Omar (The United Nations recognizes the government of Burhanuddin Rabbani) Population: 26,813,057 Size: 250,000 square miles -- slightly smaller than Texas Climate: Most of the country has a subarctic mountain climate with dry and cold winters. The lowlands have arid and semiarid climates. Summer temperatures as high as 120 F have been recorded in the northern valleys. Midwinter temperatures as low as 15 F are common around the 6,600-foot level. Most of the precipitation falls between October and April. The deserts receive less than four inches of rain per year, and mountains receive more than 40 inches, mostly as snow. Infant mortality rate: 147.02/1,000 births Life expectancy: 46.24 years Health ranking: 184 (eighth worst health system in the world) Religions: Sunni Muslim 84%; Shia Muslim 15%; other 1% Literacy: 31.5% GDP: $21 billion/ $800 per capita Defense: Taliban 25,000 active troops; Northern Alliance 15,000 active troops Communications: Telephone system: Very limited telephone and telegraph service Radios: 167,000 (1999) Televisions: 100,000 (1999) Transportation: Railways: 16 miles total Highways: 13,050 miles total Airports: 45,10 with paved runways Other Issues: Land mines: As many as 300 people per month are killed or injured by land mines remaining from the Soviet-Afghan war. The United Nations estimates that mines block access to as many as 87,500 Afghan homes. Refugees: According to 1999 data, more than 2.5 million refugees are encamped in neighboring states or are seeking asylum in other nations. The majority of Afghan refugees are in Pakistan and Iran. Illicit drugs: Worlds largest illicit opium producer, surpassing Burma -- potential production in 1999 -- 1,840 tons; a major source of hashish; major political factions in the country profit from drug trade.

CENTURY OF TURMOIL

1919 - Afghanistan gains independence from Britain

1933 - Afghan king Muhammad Nadir Shah assassinated

1946 - Afghanistan joins the United Nations

1953 - Prime Minister Muhammad Duad attempts to modernize with help from U.S.S.R.

1961 - A dispute with Pakistan closes the border for two years

1973 - Daud overthrows king and declares himself president

1978 - Daud killed in Marxist coup; Noor Muhammad Taraki becomes president

1979 - Traditionalists depose and kill Taraki; Soviet troops invade

1989 - Last of Soviet troops withdraw but civil war continues

1992 - Guerrilla forces take over Kabul

1994 - The Taliban emerge

1996 - The Taliban seize control of Kabul

1998 - U.S. cruise missiles hit alleged terrorist training camps

1999 - U.N. effort to broker a cease-fire agreement collapses