Afghanistan used to be quite a popular travel destination in the 70′s when hippies would go overland to India. The capital Kabul was a popular hangout, back then. Things have changed big time since then.

It started in 1979 when Afghanistan was invaded and occupied by the Soviet Union. The USSR was forced to withdraw 10 years later by anti-communist mujahidin forces supplied and trained by the US, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and others. Fighting subsequently continued among the various mujahidin factions, but the fundamentalist Islamic Taliban movement has been able to seize most of the country. In addition to the continuing civil strife, the country suffers from enormous poverty, a crumbling infrastructure, and widespread live mines.

This means that you have to be brave in order to venture into Aghanistan. Tourists are welcome, though it depends on where you go. For the adventurous, who have their mind set on going there, the most sensible thing to do might be crossing the Khyber Pass from Pakistan and move on to Jalalabad. (Note-while the city of Jalalabad is fairly safe, the border area is Taliban country.)

You are on the road to Kabul now, but it may be an idea to turn back…. It should be noted that attacks on foreigners have increased dramatically since 2003 and it would be highly unwise for foreigners to travel without an armed escort. The safest way to visit Afghanistan is to fly into Kabul and travel by air to major cities once in country.

Travel outside of cities is not advised, and even major cities in the South and East should be avoided. Many of the major cities, including Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif and others in the North and West are relatively safe for visitors. Kabul has several good restaurants and clubs that cater to expats and violence against foreigners is rare.

Another option might be to come from Uzbekistan and convince a cabby to take you from Termez to Mazar-i-sharif (do visit the ruins in Balkh when you are there – and back in a day. I haven’t heard recent reports of anyone doing it, but did discuss it with a cab-driver in Samarkand. He was willing but expensive.

Herat, close to the Iranian border, has always been a relatively relaxed place for travelers. Though Irano-Afghan relationship dropped to an all-time low, it is possible to cross the border here. Valid passports and visas are required, though a visit to the State of Israel will prevent you from entering Iran.

Since Alexander the Great, invading armies and peaceful migrations have brought in diverse peoples to this Central Asian crossroads. As a result, Afghanistan is a country of ethnic minorities: Pashtun (38 percent), Tajik (25 percent), Hazara (19 percent), and Uzbek (6 percent). The towering Hindu Kush range dominates and divides Afghanistan. The northern plains and valleys are home to Tajiks and Uzbeks. Pashtuns inhabit the desert-dominated southern plateaus. Hazara live in the central highlands. Kabul, south of the Hindu Kush, is linked by narrow passes to the northern plains.

In 1989 the nine-year Soviet occupation ended, and Muslim rebels toppled the communist regime in 1992, after which rival groups vied for power. From among the various factions arose the Taliban (“students of religion”), a militant Islamic movement. The Taliban seized Kabul in 1996 and imposed Islamic punishments, including amputation and stoning, and banned women from working. In 2001 the Taliban destroyed giant Buddha statues at Bamian in defiance of international efforts to save them. Three weeks after the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., the U.S. and Britain bombed terrorist camps in Afghanistan; by November 2001 Kabul fell to anti-Taliban forces.

After decades of war, Afghanistan is rebuilding its economy, which is mostly agricultural, and has successfully held elections. A 2004 vote gave the country its first democratically elected president, Hamid Karzai. The government, however, still faces problems with the Taliban and internal security and public services. Afghanistan is the world’s largest supplier of opium, and the drug industry continues to make up a substantial part of Afghanistan’s economy.

ECONOMY

Industry: small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes.
Agriculture: opium, wheat, fruits, nuts; wool.
Exports: opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton.