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Afghanistan is a country in Central Asia. Throughout its history, the region has been ruled by various empires, including the Achaemenid, Greco-Bactrian, and Kushan Empires. The country was also a center of cultural exchange along the Silk Road, where ideas and goods flowed between East and West. Three prominent figures who have left a lasting impact on Afghanistan's history include Ahmad Shah Durrani, the founder of the modern Afghan state in 1747, Sher Ali Khan, who implemented modern reforms during his rule in the late 19th century, and Zahir Shah, the last king of Afghanistan, who ruled from 1933 to 1973 and sought to modernize the country while maintaining neutrality in international affairs.
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The provinces of Afghanistan
Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces, the provinces ant their capitals are:
- Badakhshan (Fayzabad)
- Badghis (Qala i Naw)
- Baghlan (Pul-i-Khumri)
- Balkh (Mazar-i-Sharif)
- Bamyan (Bamyan)
- Daykundi (Nili)
- Farah (Farah)
- Faryab (Maymana)
- Ghazni (Ghazni)
- Ghor (Chaghcharan)
- Helmand (Lashkargah)
- Herat (Herat)
- Jowzjan (Sheberghan)
- Kabul (Kabul)
- Kandahar (Kandahar)
- Kapisa (Mahmud-i-Raqi)
- Khost (Khost)
- Kunar (Asadabad)
- Kunduz (Kunduz)
- Laghman (Mihtarlam)
- Logar (Pul-e Alam)
- Nangarhar (Jalalabad)
- Nimruz (Zaranj)
- Nuristan (Parun)
- Paktia (Gardez)
- Paktika (Sharana)
- Panjshir (Bazarak)
- Parwan (Charikar)
- Samangan (Aybak)
- Sar-e Pol (Sar-e Pol)
- Takhar (Taloqan)
- Urozgan (Tarin Kowt)
- Wardak (Maydan Shahr)
- Zabul (Qalat)
Afghanistan geography
Researching family history in Afghanistan
See also:
- Afghanistan genealogy
- Afghanistan immigration
- Afghanistan emigration
- Afghanistan archives
- Vital records in Afghanistan
- Birth records in Afghanistan
- Death records in Afghanistan
- Marriage records in Afghanistan
- Census records in Afghanistan
- Civil registrations in Afghanistan
- Newspaper records in Afghanistan
- Military records in Afghanistan
Afghan ethnicity
Afghanistan is a diverse nation, rich in ethnic and cultural heritage. The major ethnic groups include Pashtuns, who form the largest segment of the population, followed by Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, and Aimaqs. These groups, each with their own distinct language, culture, and traditions, contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Afghan society. Smaller communities such as Turkmen, Baloch, and Nuristani people also coexist within the country. Despite historical conflicts and tensions, these various ethnicities have shaped Afghanistan's unique cultural identity, reflecting a blend of ancient and modern influences.
See also:
Afghan surnames
When researching family history in Afghanistan, surnames play an essential role as they often reflect the ethnic, tribal, or regional affiliations of an individual. Surnames can provide valuable insight into one's ancestry and cultural background. However, due to the diversity and complexity of Afghan naming conventions, it is important to approach surname research with a nuanced understanding of the cultural and historical contexts. Examples of Afghan surnames include "Khan" or "Khani," which are commonly associated with Pashtun tribes, while "Hazara" or "Hazaragi" are linked to the Hazara ethnic group.
Examples of different Afghan surnames: