These is the list of Countries in the Asian Continent

Afghanistan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Cambodia
China
East Timor
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Korea North
Korea South
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Malaysia
Maldives
Mongolia
Myanmar (Burma)
Nepal
Oman
Pakistan
The Philippines
Qatar
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Turkey
Turkmenistan
UAE
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Yemen

Afghanistan Tourism

Some Facts about Afghanistan

Formal name: Islamic State of Afghanistan (Dowlat-e-Eslami-ye Afghanestan)

Short name: Afghanistan

Term for Citizens: Afghan

Capital: Kabul

Date of Independence: August 19, 1919 (from UK control)

Area: 652,000 square kilometers

Time: GMT +4.5

Topography: Afghanistan has mountainous terrain. The Northern part of the country is separated from rest of the country by huge ranges. Afghanistan can mainly be divided into 03 different geographic regions known as; The Central Highlands, The Northern Plains, and the Southwest Plateau. The altitude, climate, and soil conditions in Afghanistan have great variations everywhere in the country. South is very green and warm climate, whereas central parts are dry and cold in winter, short summer due to high attitude.

Climate: Its varies from arid to semi arid; cold winters and hot summers

Population: 31 million (2013 est.), which is growing annually 3.48% including the return of migrants to Afghanistan from neighboring countries

GDP - PER CAPITA : purchasing power parity - US$ 800.00

Language: There are about 45 languages spoken in Afghanistan but the 02 main languages are Pashtu 35% and Dari 50% followed by Turkic languages 11% and various other languages. Afghanistan is basically a country with bilingualism. Dari and Pashtu are also the National / official languages.

Religion: Muslims are about 99% (84% Sunni & 15% Shia), Rest of the religions are about 1% including Sikhs & Hindus.

Ethnic groups: Pashtun 38%, Tajik 25%, Hazara 19%, Minor Ethnic groups 12% & Uzbeks 6%.

Education: Compulsory 7 years education.

Literacy: Literacy rate is 31.5%, which includes male 47.2% and female 15%

Economy: Afghanistan is an extremely poor country highly dependent on farming and livestock raising. The Economy of Afghanistan can be divided into 03 sectors;
Agriculture 53%, Industry 28.5% and Services 18.5%. The main agriculture products are wheat, fruits, nuts, wool, mutton & Karakul pelts. The industrial sector includes textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement, hand-woven carpets, natural gas, oil & copper. Electricity production is about 420 million Kwh and 64.2% of the total production is hydro generated.

Currency: Afghani

Electicity: 220 Volts AC; 50Hz

Ecology: Soil degradation, overgrazing, deforestation and desertification.

Culture: Land of ancient and rich culture with lots of historical monuments, traditional handicrafts

and enormous variety of foods.

Major cities:

Kabul

Balkh

Kandahar

Ghazni

Jalalabad

Mazar-e-Sharif

Lashkargah

Herat Kabul

The capital of war torn Afghanistan is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Kabul is situated on the Kabul River and is one of the highest capital cities (1800 m - above sea level) in the world. The history of Kabul dates back to the legendary times of epic Ramayana when Kubha is mentioned as the founder of the city. Lying at the crossroads Kabul was always victim of invasions and civil strife. During the reign of Kushanas the city must have been a place of importance since it led the way to their winter capital of Peshawar. In the vicinity of Kabul was the famous Begram, which had attained its prominence of being an important center of the eastern Hellenic Art. Kabul rose to importance when Mughal Emperor Babur made his capital and since then it inter-acted with various ruling dynasties. The recent history of Kabul is painful being subjected to incessant civil war and lately under the wrathful rule of clerics.

The Nation’s chief economic and cultural center, it has long been of strategic importance because of its proximity to the Khyber Pass. This city grew as an industrial center after 1940 and the main products of this city were textiles, processed food, chemicals and wood products, Tajiks are the predominant population group of Kabul and Pashtuns are an important minority. Kabul University, which is now partially opened, was founded in 1932 and during 70’s and 80’s it was the best known in the region for higher education.

Kabul was occupied by Soviet troops in 1979 and later it went through the toughest and most disastrous civil war of its history from 1992 to 1996. Taliban later ruled the city from 1996 to 2001 before the Northern Alliance took over the city as Taliban withdrew from Kabul after the American intervention in Oct 2001. Currently, Kabul is the capital of Transitional Government being led by Mr. Hamed Karzai.

The city of Kabul, which used to be a tourist attraction, has lost its charm during the last 24 years of its history. Infrastructures such as roads and traffic system, telephone and electricity system, water sanitation, renovation of buildings is in shambles and the need for reconstruction is very much needed to bring back the city to a better place for living. The major places of interest in Kabul are as follows:

KABUL BALA HISAR

The Bala-Hisar means a citadel or fortress within a walled town on top of a ridge or hill. Bala-Hissar as town’s main defensive complex has served as residence of Afghan rulers. Most of Afghan historic cities have a Bala-Hissar. The famous emperors like Babor Shah and Timor Lang are said to have resided in it. This 06th century old fortress has witnessed most of the exciting events of the century’s history until 1880 when it was destroyed during the second Anglo Afghan war. Nadir Shah started the process of reconstruction and since 1939 it served as military college until it was left in ruin by the bombardments & skirmishes.

KABUL MUSEUM

The Kabul Museum, which used to have one of the finest collections of antiquities in Asia, has had nearly three-quarters of its finest collections looted. It is still possible to see the remaining artifacts - those without any significant monetary value. Museum hours are erratic.

GARDENS OF BABUR

The pleasant Gardens of Babur were once a cool retreat near the city walls. Moghul Emperor Babur laid out these gardens in 16th century and later Amir Abdul Rehman made few additions and later Emperor Shah Jehan built a mosque. Babur died in Agra in 1530 but he loved these gardens so much that he wished before his death to be buried in these gardens. His Afghan wife, Bibi Mobarka, who built his tomb in these gardens, fulfilled his wish. Recently these gardens were in ruin but now AKDN (Aga Khan Development Network) has taken the responsibility of its re-construction to return back to its past glory.

ARG (Citadel)

Amir Abdul Rahman (1880-1901) built this citadel to operate the Bala Hisar places. Within the Arg, there was Salam khana (hall of salutation) and the Dilkosha Palace (Heart Delight palace). Later it was used for presidential offices until it was left in ruin due to heavy bombardments.

MAUSOLEUMS

The tomb of Timur Shah, son of Ahmad Shah Durrani, who moved the capital from Kandahar to Kabul, was built in 1817. A charming landmark of the city is the mausoleum of Amir Abdul Rahman, one of the Afghanistan’s most rulers. It stands in Zarnegar Park, in the center of the city as a fine example of 19th century architecture remaining in Kabul. The imposing white-marbled, blue-domed mausoleum of Nadir Shah stands on the hill known as Tapa Marajan overlooking Kabul.

BAZAARS

Kabul’s many colorful bazaars were the places to attract a large number of visitors for shopping and sightseeing. Among the most famous, which exists in today’s Kabul as well are Chicken Street, Shor Bazaar and Bazaar-e-Charchata.

MOSQUES

Since Afghanistan is an intensely Muslim country and for centuries the Muslim rulers have ruled it, therefore, the rich Islamic heritage can be seen in architecture of many interesting mosques. The most famous ones in the center of the city are:

Masjid-e-Pule Kheshti, Masjid-e-Shahe Du Shamshira, Masjid-e-Sherpur (Blue Mosque), Masjid-e-Id Gah, Masjid-e-Syed Majnun Shah & Masjid-e-Wazir Akbar Khan.

Bahrain Tourism

Bahrian Flag

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A list of tourist attractions in Bahrain, a small island country in the Persian Gulf.

Adhari Park

Al Areen Wildlife Park

Bahrain National Museum

Gold City

Adhari Park is an amusement park, in the Kingdom of Bahrain based around the historic freshwater spring known as Ain Adari which is located around the Zinj area. In 2003, the site was remodeled and it became a major tourist attraction. In 2006, it was remodeled at a cost of over $23,000,000 US dollars. In 2007, the park is projected to receive over a million visitors..It had opened to the public in 2008 and covers an area of 165,000 square meters. It has 8 outdoor and indoor rides for people of all ages, a Family Entertainment Centre, 10 food outlets at the Food Court, Dine in restaurant, Coffee Shops and a lot more. It has 1200 parking spaces.

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