Many empires have long fought over the city of Kabul, due to its strategic location along the trade routes of Southern and Central Asia. Only a very small share of Afghanistan’s land, mostly in scattered valleys, is suitable for farming, and a majority of this farmland requires irrigation. Photo Credit: ReliefWeb, OCHA/UN

The heart of the Silk Route: At the crossroads of many religions and cultures

A general view of the city of Kabul from the Western hills. Kabul is over 3,000 years old and is both the largest city and the capital of Afghanistan, with an estimated population of approximately 3 million. Photo Credit: Manoocher Deghati

From Sufism and Islam to Buddhism and Zoroastrianism, this fusion created a rich heritage, marking Afghanistan as one of the most culturally diverse countries of the world. The effects of these assorted histories are monuments and spectacular architectural landmarks as well as numerous tribes with varied and flourishing cultural and spiritual traditions.

Afghanistan thrived for centuries as a centre of learning, commerce and culture. The different regions of the country have their own distinct identity coupled together with its own unique multi-lingual ethnicity.



The land where everyone is Alexander the Great

In a letter to his mother, Alexander the Great, described his encounters with tribes in the North and West:

“I am involved in the land of a ‘Leonine’ (lion-like) and brave people, where every foot on the ground is like a well of steel, confronting my soldier. You have brought only one son into the world, but everyone in this land [Afghanistan] can be called an Alexander.”

- Alexander the Great, writing to his mother, dated around 330 BC – 327 BC

If current global warming trends remain uncontrolled, humanity will face more injury, diseases and deaths related to natural disasters and heat waves; higher rates of food-borne, water-borne, and vector-borne diseases; and more premature deaths and disease related to air pollution. Large populations will be displaced by drought and famine. As glaciers melt, the hydrological cycle shifts and the productivity of arable land changes. Photo Credit: Manoocher Deghati

This land has been at the crossroads of history, civilizations, and empires. Through time, its alluring beauty, captivating landscape, and courageous people remain.

Decades of war: Afghanistan now and a generation of orphans

Afghanistan is a country still reeling from nearly three decades of war, anarchy, massive displacement, and unimaginable human suffering. These calamities have left Afghanistan in shambles with over 1 million dead people, a devastated infrastructure, and the destruction of nearly every meaningful institution.

The rebuilding of roads, buildings and infrastructure has begun and it will take many years to resurrect the country that is tormented by uncountable tales of sorrow, grief and misery; these wounds of war will take generations to heal.

One of the greatest tragedies is that the violence in Afghanistan has created a generation of orphans. This is a group without representation or voice who are often marginalised and stigmatised.