The historical divide of Islam into Sunni, or so-called orthodox
Islam, and Shia, was caused more by political dispute over successors
than doctrinal differences, although differences gradually assumed
theological and metaphysical overtones. Despite the split, within
centuries Islam reached far into Africa, eastward to the Indian
subcontinent and southeast Asia, as well as northward into Central
Asia. This expansion was accomplished by traders and missionaries
as much as by conquest.
Sunni constitute 85 percent of the world's Muslims; Shia about
15 percent. Each division has four major Shariah or schools of
theological law. The Sunni: Hanafi, dominant in the Arab Middle
East, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan; Maleki, in north, central
and west Africa and Egypt; Shafii, in east Africa, Indonesia and
southeast Asia; Hanbali, in Saudi Arabia. The Shia: Ithna Ashariya
or Imami, the state religion in Iran, dominant in Iraq and also
found in Afghanistan; Nizari Ismaili, present throughout the Muslim
world, including Afghanistan, led by the Aga Khan; Zaidiya, in
Yemen; Mutazila, in Syria and Lebanon.
Country
name Afghanistan conventional long form Islamic State of
Afghanistan conventional short form Afghanistan local long
form Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan local short form Afghanestan former Republic of Afghanistan
Area
- total: 647,500 sq km land: 647,500 sq km water: 0 sq km
Terrain
- mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest
Climate
- arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
Geography
- landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide
the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in
the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor)
Waterways
- 1,200 km note: chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT (2001)
Natural hazards - damaging earthquakes
occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts
Information
Courtesy: The Library of Congress - Country Studies
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