Essay Database

Afghanistan Afghanistan covers an area of 251,825 sq. mi. The northwestern, western, and southern border areas are primarily desert plains and rocky ranges. The southeast and northeast borders rise higher into the glacier-covered peaks of the Hindu Kush. The northern border is formed by the Amu Darya River and its tributary, the Panj. High mountains cover much of Afghanistan, with about one-half of the land over 6600 ft. in elevation. Small glaciers and year-round snowfields are common. …

…in the army, security police, and militia. At the present time, however, the military no longer exists on a national scale. Some elements of the former army, national guard, border guard, national police and ethnic militias still exist, but they are all separated among the different political groups. In 1995 available manpower (men aged 15 to 49) was estimated at about 5.6 million; those fit for military service was about 3 million; and men reaching military age (22) annually numbered about 200,000.