U.S.State Dept. Background Notes : Afghanistan

Official Name: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan PROFILE GeographyArea: 652,230 sq. km. (251,827 sq. mi.); slightly smaller than Texas.Cities: Capital–Kabul. Other cities–Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Jalalabad, Konduz.Terrain: Landlocked; mostly mountains and desert.Climate: Dry, with cold winters and hot summers.