Afghanistan, the land of Afghan, the ancient Ariana, has for centuries been the meeting place of East & West.

It attracted conquerers and empire builders from all sides of the globe - Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, Alexander the Great - who all faced strong resistance here. Also, the three Afghan Wars of Independence (1880-1919) showed Afghanistan to be the first eastern nation to gain her freedom from British colonial domination.

Afghanistan was a major step on the great trade and exploration routes of the past, traversed by Marco Polo and Chinese silk merchants.

Great mountain ranges (part of the Himalayan chain) cover approximately 3/4 of the nation's total area with peaks rising above 25,000 feet, which gives Afghanistan a four season climate with almost 10 months of clear sunshine.

Afghanistan is basically an agricultural country with fruit growing & stock-breeding providing its most important exports. Skins & Karakul sheep (Persian lamb) constitute one of the country's main exports. Local handicrafts constitue an important cottage industry. Traditional manufactures include sheepskin coats and rugs, hand-woven carpets & woolen and silk textiles.

Until July 1973, Afghanistan was a Kingdom. Since that time, three more persons came to power - Dauood, Taraki & Amin. In December of 1979, Amin was overthrown when Russian army troops invaded Afghanistan. After almost ten years of occupation and the killing of more than a million and a half innocent Afghans, the Soviets finally faced a humiliating defeat by the freedom loving people of Afghanistan.

Years of power struggle between different groups of Afghans was evident after the Soviet defeat. The Taliban (a radical fundamentalist group backed by Pakistan & Saudi Arabia who controlled 1/4 of Afghanistan between 1995-2001) was formed & brought immense atrocities amongst its own people. At the end of 2001, the opposition Norther Alliance with the help of the U.S. & Britain toppled the Taliban & brought freedom and peace back to Afghanistan after 23 years of war and destruction. God-Willing, we can now celebrate a free Afghanistan.....