Afghanistan is an Islamic republic in Central Asia with about 32 million inhabitants. The Khyberpas, the main link between Afghanistan and Pakistan, is the capital Kabul, consisting of almost 3 million inhabitants. Afghanistan is surrounded by six countries. In the north by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the west by Iran, the southeastern part bordering Pakistan and the North has a small border with China. Afghanistan has a high proportion of high mountains that runs diagonally through the country of northeastern Hindu Kush, part of the Highlands of Iran to the southwest located Pamir Mountains, a spokesman of the Himalaya Mountains. The Noshaq, with almost 7500 meters, the highest mountain. Within the mountain and fans on their edges, there are many fertile valleys and plains. At this south, in Helmand basin, the lie of Seistan and Registan desert. In the north lies the plain of Amu Darya, a part of the plain of Turan in the northwest and the rich valley of Hari Rud. Afghanistan has three river basins. The Koendoez flows in the north and the west lie the rivers Helmand and the Hariroed. These rivers are frequently dry. In the east the rivers flows kabul and the Indus, with a number of tributaries. Afghanistan has a lot to do with invaders. Both the Persians, Arabs, Turks and Mongols were responsible. In the 18th century united the Afghan tribes themselves. From 1979 to 1989, there was the Soviet Russian occupation. After the attack on the WTC, the United States in search of Osama bin Laden in 2001 and fell within the Afghanistan. Despite that Bin Laden was never found, the Talibanregering called off. In 2004 there was a new constitution drawn up. Since 2001, there is a security presence in Afghanistan. There is still a weekly fought with the Taliban. Sights include the Buddha's Bamyan and ruins and the minaret of Jam. Both are world Unesco.