The World in Focus series provides an up-to-date view of individual countries around the world. Including discussion of the major challenges facing each country now and in the future, this book gives a real insight into life in Afghanistan, a mountainous country in central Asia, with a rich culture dating back thousands of years. Afghanistan's strategic position means that it has been a crossing point for traders and conquerors throughout history. But today it is one of the poorest countries in the world and, during the last three decades, has been torn apart by war which has badly damaged its infrastructure. The books looks at the challenges faced by the people of Afghanistan.