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Afghan Culture. George, Josh, and Dan. Table of Contents. Geography People Languages Religion Rural Life Sports and Pastimes Education Health Art and Architecture Movie Clip. Geography. Located in central Asia Bordered by six countries China Iran Pakistan Tajikistan
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Afghan Culture George, Josh, and Dan
Table of Contents • Geography • People • Languages • Religion • Rural Life • Sports and Pastimes • Education • Health • Art and Architecture • Movie Clip
Geography • Located in central Asia • Bordered by six countries • China • Iran • Pakistan • Tajikistan • Turkmenistan • Uzbekistan
Geography • Landlocked nation (slightly smaller than Texas) • Total Population: 31 Million • Capital: Kabul
Geography • Mountainous • Hindu Kush: main mountain range • Climate: cold winters and arid summers
People • Major Ethnic Groups • Pashtuns- 42% • Takijs- 27% • Uzbeks- 9% • Hazaras- 9% • Others- 13%
Languages • Most Afghans are bilingual • Main Languages • Dari- 50% • Pashtu- 35% • Turkic- 11%
Religion • The religion practiced by most Afghans is Islam • 99% of Afghans are Muslim
Rural Life • About ¾ of the Afghan population consists of farmers and nomads • Only 12% of land is arable • What problems might some farmers encounter?
Sports and Pastimes • Buzkashi is the national sport of Afghanistan • Team game played on horseback • Kite-fighting • Participants try to cut through the strings of their opponents
Education • 67% of boys go to school • 37% of girls go to school • Constraints of attendance • Lack of teachers • Distance • Cultural constraints • Not enough schools
Health • Average life expectancy: 42 • 1 in 4 children dies before the age of 5 • Many lack access to basic healthcare
Art and Architecture • Influenced by western techniques since 1900s • Centered at the Kabul Museum • Two famous mosques are in Herat and Mazar-e Sharif • Famous for its light blue-green tile work
The Kite Runner • Movie depicting the hardships and cultural attributes of Afghanistan • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW7aGiuKZaU&feature=related