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 Kabul Province. With a location at the intersection of major trade routes, Afghanistan has attracted a succession of invaders since the sixth century BCE.
| Continent | Asia |
|---|---|
| Region | Central Asia / South Asia |
| Coordinates | 33°00′N 65°00′E |
| Area | Ranked 40th |
| • Total | 652,864 km2 (252,072 sq mi) |
| Coastline | 0 km (0 mi) |
| Borders | 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) |
| Highest point | Noshaq, 7,492 m (24,580 ft) |
| Lowest point | Amu Darya at Khamyab, 258 m (846 ft) |
| Longest river | Helmand River |
| Largest lake | Kamal Khan Dam Kajaki Dam Dahla Dam Naghlu Dam Band-e Amir Qargha |
| Climate | Arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers |
| Terrain | mostly low plateau with deserts, rangelands and a fertile plain in the southeast |
| Natural resources | natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stone |
| Natural hazards | earthquakes, flooding, avalanches |
| Environmental issues | limited fresh water, soil degradation, overgrazing, deforestation, desertification, air pollution, water pollution |
Afghanistan contains most of the Hindu Kush. There are a number of major rivers in the country, including Amu Darya, Arghandab, Farah, Hari, Helmand, Kabul, Kokcha, and Kunar. 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.