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AFGHANISTAN |
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Location |
Southeast Asia, North and West of Pakistan, East of Iran |
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National websites |
N/A |
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Embassy / Chancery in U.S. |
NOTE: Embassy operations suspended 21 August 1997. United States Embassy for Afghanistan 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW Washington, DC 20008 |
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Agencies responsible for biological inventory and conservation |
N/A |
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Major Natural Resources |
Afghanistan's natural resources include many metals, such as copper, zinc, and iron ore, as well as sources of energy, like natural gas, petroleum, and coal. In addition, the country is abundant in many precious and semi-precious stones (i.e. Lapis Lazuli), and is the second highest producer of opium in the world. |
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Major Environmental and Conservation Issues |
Many of Afghanistan's major environmental issues deal with exploitation of the land, such as soil degradation, overgrazing and deforestation. Most of the forests are being cut down for fuel as well as for building materials. Desertification is another main concern for the Afghan people. |
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Statistics |
Information Sources |
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Land area |
647,500 Sq. km |
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Area of forest |
19,425 Sq. km |
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Area of wetlands |
0 Sq. km |
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Area of territorial waters |
0 Sq. km |
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Population |
24,792,375 |
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Population Density |
38.29/Sq. km |
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Area protected (ha) (only areas 1000ha) at all IUCN levels |
218,438 |
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Fraction of land area protected (%) |
.33 |
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Major Protected Areas |
None |
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Endemic Species |
Mammals |
1 |
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Birds |
0 |
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Reptiles |
4 |
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Amphibians |
4 |
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Fish |
0 |
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Invertebrates |
0 |
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Plants |
0 |
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Endangered, Threatened and Vulnerable Species |
Mammals |
11 |
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Birds |
13 |
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Reptiles |
1 |
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Amphibians |
1 |
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Fish |
0 |
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Invertebrates |
1 |
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Plants |
4 |
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Extinct Species |
Mammals |
0 |
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Birds |
0 |
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Reptiles |
0 |
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Amphibians |
0 |
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Fish |
0 |
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Invertebrates |
0 |
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Plants |
0 |
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Species listed on CITES Appendix I |
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Species listed on CITES Appendix II |
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Legislation |
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Laws protecting endangered or threatened species |
Party to: Endangered Species |
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Laws protecting endangered ecosystems |
Party to: Desertification, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban |
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Signatory to CITES |
Yes - 1991 |
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Signatory to Ramsar Wetlands Convention |
No |
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Signatory to Convention on Biological Diversity |
Yes |
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Signatory to Migratory Bird Treaty |
No |
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Member of International Whaling Commission |
No |
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Signatory to other international treaties designed to protect or manage biological resources |
Signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation |
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Natural Resource Use |
Information Sources |
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Fisheries |
0 |
WRI Organization |
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Forestry |
1.199 ha |
WRI Organization |
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Ecotourism |
N/A |
WRI Organization |
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Trade in wildlife products |
N/A |
WRI Organization |
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Hunting |
N/A |
WRI Organization |
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Other uses of natural resources |
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Human Impacts on Natural Resources |
Information Sources |
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Air pollution |
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Water pollution |
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Development activities |
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Introduced species |
N/A |
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Legislation addressing these issues |
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Restoration and Reintroduction |
Information Sources |
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Programs for restoration of damaged habitat |
N/A |
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Programs for ex situ conservation (captive breeding and reintroduction) of endangered species |
N/A |
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Return to
Endangered Species Protection around the WorldPage compiled by
Heela Naqshband as part of a class project in H90 "The Science of Biodiversity and Conservation" (Peter J. Bryant, Instructor), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA