Afghanistan, this seemingly troubled country, is not an ordinary person.
Forty million people live on this land, but it is not a fertile land.
Firstly, we need to understand the geographical situation of Afghanistan.
This place, I have to say, was really given a bad hand by nature.
With a population of 40 million, this mountainous area alone miraculously survives.
Surrounded by mountains in circles, without its own ocean passage, it is extremely difficult to trade with countries around the world.
When it comes to agriculture, Afghanistan is really a tough place to live.
Most parts of the country are mountainous and desert, and finding a flat land is even more difficult than finding a needle.
The weather is quite similar to the Kashgar region in China, with a large temperature difference between day and night and a pitiful amount of rainfall. Everyone knows where to plant food?
Even if planted, it's not that easy to plant.
It's a fantasy to say that relying on agriculture to feed a population of 40 million.
What about industry? Unfortunately, Afghanistan's industrial foundation is fragile.
Britain knocked on the door three times, the Soviet Union joined in the fun, and the farce between the United States and the Taliban ruined the entire industrial foundation.
Besides, educational resources are pitifully scarce, illiteracy rates remain high, and unemployment rates are also a major issue.
But how can Afghanistan feed 40 million people?
This is about its "grain exchange".
According to a 2020 survey, the Taliban's revenue reached $1.6 billion, with a quarter coming from mineral exports, as well as export materials, taxes paid by ordinary people, and international donations.
Let's talk about mineral exports again. Afghanistan is really a treasure trove! Gold, iron, copper, zinc, lithium, and other rare earth metals are countless.
Lithium resources are even more abundant than any other country, and the United States calls it "Saudi Arabia in the lithium industry"!
Unfortunately, although there are many resources, the lack of infrastructure and technology makes it impossible to dig them out.
The drug trade is a big business for Afghan farmers.
The land is barren and cannot grow food, so why not use some "drugs"!
82% of the global poppy cultivation area, isn't this number scary?
Opium income is an astronomical figure, and one acre of land can earn between 5000 and 8000 US dollars!
So, Afghan farmers planted these "golden seeds".
There is also international assistance! Although they are located in Central Asia and do not produce food, international organizations have given them a wave of money to support themselves well.
The United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany have all given it a lot of money in order to stay influential here.
After reading these, do you think Afghanistan can play some good cards even if it's a bad hand?
Well, this place has its own way of survival, which can be considered a skill.
In addition, international organizations have also provided certain assistance to Afghanistan to help it maintain its livelihoods.
Therefore, despite facing many challenges, Afghanistan is still able to survive on the world stage with its unique way of survival.
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