Synthesized answer
Afghanistan faced three fundamental and interconnected challenges in 1990. First, the country was in the throes of intense political and military upheaval, including the aftermath of a nine-year Soviet occupation and a continuing bloody civil war [Passage 2]. This conflict led to widespread destruction of infrastructure, such as bridges, buildings, and factories [Passage 2], and a significant loss of labor and capital.
Second, these conflicts fueled a massive humanitarian crisis, with one-third of the population fleeing the country by 1990. Millions sought refuge in Pakistan and Iran, while another million moved within Afghanistan's urban areas [Passage 2]. This displacement, coupled with a high birth rate and a low life expectancy [Passage 1], points to a country struggling with the human cost of prolonged instability. Finally, Afghanistan was extremely poor and landlocked, heavily reliant on agriculture and livestock raising [Passage 4]. The disruption of trade and transport due to the civil war meant its economy was severely damaged, likely resulting in a gross domestic product lower than a decade prior [Passage 2].
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From the book
s NEGL% irrigated Environment: damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; soil degradation, desertification, overgrazing, deforestation, pollution Note: landlocked People Population: 15,862,293 (July 1990), growth rate 7.7% (1990) Birth rate: 44 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 18 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 51 migrants/1,000 population (1990); note—there are flows across the border in both directions, but data are fragmentary and unreliable Infant mortality rate: 154 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 47 years male, 46 years…
Economic considerations, however, have played second fiddle to political and military upheavals, including the nine-year Soviet military occupation (ended 15 February 1989) and the continuing bloody civil war. Over the past decade, one-third of the population has fled the country, with Pakistan sheltering some 3 million refugees and Iran perhaps 2 million. Another 1 million have probably moved into and around urban areas within Afghanistan. Large numbers of bridges, buildings, and factories have been destroyed or damaged by military action or sabotage. Government claims to the contrary,…
← Notes, Definitions, and Abbreviations The World Factbook (1990) by United States Central Intelligence Agency Afghanistan Albania → Pages 1–2 2056150 The World Factbook (1990) — Afghanistan Afghanistan See regional map VIII Geography Total area: 647,500 km²; land area: 647,500 km² Comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: 5,826 km total; China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, USSR 2,384 km Coastline: none—landlocked Maritime claims: none—landlocked Disputes: Pashtun question with Pakistan; Baloch question with Iran and Pakistan; periodic disputes with Iran over…
n centered in the black band Economy Overview: Fundamentally, Afghanistan is an extremely poor, landlocked country, highly dependent on farming (wheat especially) and livestock raising (sheep and goats).
bers (1988) Other political or pressure groups: the military and other branches of internal security have been rebuilt by the USSR; insurgency continues throughout the country; widespread anti-Soviet and anti-regime sentiment and opposition on religious and political grounds Member of: ADB, CCC, Colombo Plan, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB—Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, ITU, NAM, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO, WSG; suspended from OIC in January 1980 Diplomatic representation: Minister-Counselor, Chargé d'Affaires MIAGOL; Chancery at 2341 Wyoming…
More questions about this book
- The text states The World Factbook is "designed to meet [US Government officials'] specific requirements." How might this specific audience and purpose influence the selection, emphasis, or framing of information about a country like Afghanistan, and why is it crucial to consider this when using the Factbook as a historical source?
- The Factbook lists "Pashtun question with Pakistan" and details various "ethnic divisions" and "language" groups. How do these demographic statistics, particularly the prominence of Pashtuns, help to explain the origins and persistence of the specified national and regional disputes?
- Afghanistan is described as "landlocked." Beyond the obvious geographical fact, how might this characteristic implicitly shape or exacerbate the listed "disputes," influence its "environment," and impact the development of its "natural resources" as presented in the text?
- The "People" section notes "data are fragmentary and unreliable" for migration. What are the potential implications of relying on such data for understanding Afghanistan's social dynamics or for informed policy-making, and what specific areas of knowledge might remain unclear as a result?