Afghanistan is a landlocked republic occupying a mountainous area. Its neighbors are Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The northeast tip of the country just touches China’s Sinkiang Province (about 85 km).

About 90% of the country’s exports are agricultural products such as wool, cotton, opium, fruits and nuts, sheepskin and lambskins, hand-woven carpets. Chief items are wool, cotton, karakul pelts, hides, oilseeds and fruits, precious and semi-precious stones, natural gas. Some 6 million (1991 estimate) heads of broadtail karakul sheep are raised, as well as goats. Minerals include copper, lead, gas, coal, zinc, iron, silver, asbestos, oil, etc.