Afghanistans Terrain

Afghanistan is a landlocked country. It is surrounded by six different countries, but it shares its largest border with Pakistan on the eastern side. The terrain of the country is characterised by rugged mountains, small plains and an arid dessert.

The Hindu Kush mountain ranges run along the eastern and north eastern region of the nation. The north and south west has some plain regions, while the region near the southern border near Pakistan is covered by dessert lands.

The climate of the region can be extreme within limited periods. This is a unique characteristic of the region, with temperatures in winter going as low as -24 degrees C to as high as 45 degrees C in summer. While the nomadic tribes of Afghanistan travel the entire terrain on foot and live in tents, a foreigner trying to lead a similar lifestyle would probably suffer from acute heel pain , if not hypothermia, or perhaps heat stroke.

Much of the terrain is mainly rock and stone, with very little subsoil to support natural vegetation. However, trees like mulberry, poplar, ash and willow are cultivated in some parts. Soil erosion is rampant in Afghanistan and scientists predict that the region may be facing serious environmental concerns, with desertification of the entire region a possibility in the future.

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