Afghan currency

The currency of Afghanistan is called Afghani (AF). Paper note denominations are AF 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10.  Coins come in denominations of 5, 2 and 1.

The exchange rate has fluctuated as Afghanistan’s political stability has changed.  For example, in 1981, 50 Afghani’s were equal to $1.  In 1994, the currency fell to 2400 Afghani’s  to $1.  In 2001, under the Taliban, the exchange rate of the Afghani was 73,000 to $1.

As of February, 2011, 1 US Dollar = 45 AF

Afghani - افغاني
Money - پيسه  (paisa) or پيسي  (paisay)

Karez

Karez (كاريز )

 

Karez are underground irrigation channels found through Afghanistan. Using gravity, they channel water from highland areas down to lower-lying agricultural areas and minimize water loss from seepage and evaporation. Access is provided by vertical shafts running perpendicular to the main channel, so that workers can be lowered to clear obstructions. Over the past 30 years of conflict in Afghanistan, many karez have been damaged, and recent droughts have rendered some karez useless. Additionally, today fewer individuals are involved in the karez cleaning business and the prices they charge are high compared to the past.

Yaghestan, land of the rebels

Yaghestan (ياغيستان)

Yaghestan is not so much a physical location as it is a state of mind.  Translated, it loosely means “Land of Rebels,” and is the opposite of  حكومت (hukumat; government). Afghanistan has always oscillated between the two as wars have swept the land and governments sought to impose their will. Yaghestan carries connotations of anarchy and freedom, but also of lawlessness and violence. Waziristan (which is located across the Afghan border in the northern portion of Pakistan) and Taliban-held districts in Afghanistan are often referred to as Yaghestan today.

ياغ - rebel