阿富汗的歷史、內部政治發展、外交關係和作為一個獨立國家的存在，很大程度上是由其地處中亞、西亞和南亞交匯點的地理位置所決定的。幾個世紀以來，一波波的移民穿過這個曾被歷史學家阿諾德·湯因比（Arnold Toynbee）形容為“古代世界的迂回路線”的地區，留下了各種各樣的民族和語言。該檔案為讀者呈現了被稱之為阿富汗的那些山脈、峽谷、村莊和城市。
Afghanistan's history, internal political development, foreign relations, and very existence as an independent state have largely been determined by its geographic location at the crossroads of Central, West, and South Asia. Over the centuries, waves of migrating peoples passed through the region—described as a "roundabout of the ancient world," by historian Arnold Toynbee—leaving behind a mosaic of ethnic and linguistic groups. This collection provides an opportunity to peer into the mountains, valleys, villages, and cities that is called Afghanistan.
Afghanistan's history, internal political development, foreign relations, and very existence as an independent state have largely been determined by its geographic location at the crossroads of Central, West, and South Asia. In modern times, as well as in antiquity, vast armies of the world passed through Afghanistan, temporarily establishing local control and often dominating Iran and northern India. Islam has played a key role in the formation of Afghanistan as well. Although it was the scene of great empires and flourishing trade for over two millennia, Afghanistan did not become a truly independent nation until the twentieth century.
