The nation of Afghanistan is a complex place. It faces many challenges including poverty, warlordism and a large illegal poppy and heroin trade. The country has a harsh continental climate with warm summers and cold winters at high elevations. There is little precipitation.
Afghanistan Climate
The climate in Afghanistan varies significantly depending on its location and altitude. In the south and east, the weather is dry and warm. In the north, however, temperatures can be extremely cold, with days of -12 degC (-25 degF) or even lower.
Temperatures are highest in summer, when the sun shines regularly and snowfalls are rare. In some areas, temperatures can rise to 40 degC (105 degF) in July and 41 degC (106 degF) in August.
Rainfall is relatively scarce, averaging around 300 millimeters (12 inches) per year. It is usually light, but a stormy spring can cause unexpected flooding in some parts of the country.
Precipitation is influence by many factors, including the Hindu Kush Mountain range, which creates three distinct geographical regions: the southwestern plateau, the central highlands, and the northern plains. The mountains isolate the country from Pakistan and thus contribute to its arid climate.
Winds are also important for precipitation. The katabatic winds drain down from the Tibetan Plateau and other high ground, while anabatic winds rise up from low-land deserts.
Orographic winds are a type of wind that forces air with water vapor in it up over a mountain. On the other side of the mountain, the descending air cools and condenses out as rain.
Heating winds are the opposite of orographic winds, where the Sun warms up air and raises it. These are strong winds that can move quickly through the mountains.
During the Asian monsoon, strong winds from Central Asia draw south and west across the western lowlands of Afghanistan to move into the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The ITCZ is where thermal low pressures formed by hot air rising from Pakistan in the summer. During the monsoon, heavy rains can cause flash floods and severe erosion. In addition, the landslides that result from the precipitation can be serious and destructive. These hazards have already damaged the infrastructure and affected agriculture in some parts of the country. Increasing climate change will further deteriorate these conditions and harm the country’s natural ecosystems, affecting livelihoods in Afghanistan.
Languages
Afghanistan is a diverse country, with a wide range of languages spoken throughout its territory. These include Indo-European, Turkic, and Dravidian. The most widely spoken languages in Afghanistan are Pashto and Dari (Afghan Persian), both belonging to the Indo-European language family.
Moreover, a number of other languages also spoken in the country, including Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, and Pashayi. Additionally, many other ethnic groups use a variety of other languages, making Afghan multilingualism more common than one might think.
In addition to its official languages, Afghans speak a variety of dialects from the Dari and Pashto families. These dialects vary widely in their pronunciation and characterized by significant regional differences.
The Dari language is the most commonly used language in Afghanistan, and it is also the primary lingua franca for the country. It is the language of most government institutions, and it is also use for religious ceremonies.
It is also the language of most universities and research centers, and the majority of Afghans read books in Dari. Moreover, it is important to note that it is not an easy language to learn, and a large portion of Afghans do not have sufficient proficiency in it.
A smaller percentage of Afghans have proficiency in other languages, including Arabic, English, and other native tongues. Some Afghans have had exposure to these languages through international organizations.
Despite their importance, many of these languages are endangered. This is largely due to the policies of the Afghan government.
The country is home to 30 living languages, divided into three unrelated language families: Indo-European, Turkic, and a group of Dravidian languages. The majority of these languages spoken on the Iranian plateau, but they also spoken in areas where Afghanistan intersects with Central Asia and the Pakistan subcontinent.
In terms of linguistic diversity, Afghanistan is unique among its neighbours. It is a landlocked country situated at the crossroads between Iran, Pakistan, Central Asia, and South Asia, giving it a unique cultural identity. Moreover, its location on the Iranian plateau and close proximity to Pakistan result in a diverse linguistic and cultural mix.
Afghanistan Travel Tips
Afghanistan is a fascinating place that is both rich in culture and a haven for the adventurous traveller. While its war-torn reputation means that it is not a safe destination, there are still many refreshing things to see and do in this country that is strategically located in the Middle Paleolithic Era along the Silk Road.
Afghans are very friendly and hospitable people who will go out of their way to help you. When entering an Afghan home, expect to offered tea, sweets and snacks. Don’t refuse these as this can leave a bad impression on the host and can seen as a sign of disrespect to them.
When travelling around Afghanistan, it is important to be careful and follow local laws and regulations. These include being aware of petty theft and pickpocketing, not flashing money or camera equipment in public places and not walking alone at night.
There are a number of scams in Afghanistan, so be cautious and do not hand over money to anyone who asks for it. Also, make sure you have enough money for your trip.
Travelling to Afghanistan is possible but requires a lot of planning and preparation. Visas required and should obtained prior to entering the country.
You should also be prepared to use a squat toilet and showers that run from buckets, and don’t be surprised to find no electricity or internet. You may be able to access some forms of communication by satellite phone but it is usually slower than normal and the connection is often spotty in remote areas.
The country is prone to natural disasters like flooding, earthquakes and snow avalanches. It is best to carry some emergency supplies with you, including medicines and a good first aid kit.
Some vaccinations recommended before you travel to Afghanistan, such as the tetanus, diphtheria and measles vaccines. Contact your GP or the travel clinic in advance for advice and to arrange your vaccinations.
The country is home to a variety of wildlife and wildflowers. This can make it a great place for hiking and mountain climbing, but you should be aware of wildlife such as bears and wolves, and keep your personal belongings safe when walking in the wild. The country has a high risk of landmines and other unexploded ordnance, so you should avoid straying from well-worn paths and always be on the lookout for suspicious-looking objects.
Health
Afghans have faced multiple health challenges in the past few decades. These include conflict, economic hardships, food insecurity and recurrent natural disasters. However, the country has shown resilience in delivering life-saving health services to its residents.
Afghanistan’s healthcare system has strained by the many outbreaks of infectious diseases such as measles, polio, malaria, dengue fever and cholera. In addition, the country has affected by recurrent flash floods and earthquakes.
Despite these issues, WHO and its partners have supported Afghans to improve access to essential services, including through the Sehatmandi programme. This program provides affordable health care through 2,331 public health facilities. It employs 24,000 healthcare workers, with 8,000 of them being women.
There are a number of health-related issues that Afghan evacuees face in the United States, such as mental health problems. While most refugees screened for basic health needs, they do not receive a full range of health care services.
One challenge is that most evacuees have no prior medical experience. This means that they have to rely on a variety of resources, such as telehealth, to address their health needs. While telehealth has proven to be an effective tool for providing mental health care, it may not always be accessible.
Another problem is the shortage of health professionals in the country. A recent report from the World Health Organization found that the Afghan government had 4.6 medical doctors, nurses and midwives per 10,000 people, below the critical level of 23 professionals for every 10,000 people.
In order to provide health care to its population, Afghanistan must have a sufficient number of trained and experienced doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers. The lack of these trained professionals has exacerbated the ongoing crisis in the country’s health sector.
While the health care situation in Afghanistan is improving, it is still not enough to provide comprehensive healthcare services for all Afghans. In particular, women and children remain vulnerable to illness and need better access to health care.
The government of Afghanistan is committed to restoring basic health services for its people, and will continue to work with partners to address the key priorities for the country’s healthcare system. These priorities are increasing access to health care and addressing the most urgent health needs of Afghans.
Recommended readings:
- Withdrawal of US Troops from Afghanistan and Its Impact
- Chaman Pakistan – Home to 1.4 Million Afghan Refugees
