An Example of a "Learning Process" Journal (using the 2 colored box format)

Book: Afghanistan by Louis Dupree

Source: Oxford Pakistan Paperbacks. Oxford University Press, 1973.

This is my second day where I am spending a clear hour focusing on Learning more about Afghanistan. It is 7:45 am (Saturday) and I have both the day, and a cup of coffee, in front of me.

I located a book I had read this spring (An Unexpected Light by Jason Elliot - 1999) and in the process of trying to find it, I discovered another that I had purchased at about the same time (Afghanistan by Ralph Magnus & Eden Naby - 2002). This latter book purports to be a history since 1973, and nicely dovetails with the Dupree book.

What did I learn from reading the Elliot book?

• Although much of the land is barren and mountainous, the valleys can be quite beautiful.
• There are land mines everywhere!
• The people have an incredible code of ethics, are very proud, and are extremely hospitable to visitors.

The goal is to make this summary richer and more detailed, particularly with respect to the culture and history.

I have just tried drawing a map from memory of Afghanistan. I have identified 3 cities (Kabul, Herat & Kandahar) and have 3 bordering countries (Pakistan, Iran, China) marked but am very unsure of the northern border. I have also identified the main mountainous area beginning in the "panhandle" and stretching in a southwest direction through much of the country.

I will try to scan this into this web site and compare it with a real map.

I should also see if I can create a timeline of important events and a list of important people. I will try that on my next "study session".

Part I The Land

Chap. 1 Geographic Zones
Chap. 2 Water
Chap. 3 Areas Drastically Affected by Man
Chap. 4 Domesticated Animals
Chap. 5 Fuana

Afghanistan is dominated by the central mountainous core called the Hindu Kush. There are many north-south passes through these mountains. The west and southwest are very dry and consist primarily of stony desert. Most of the country is semi-desert or mountainous.The area around Jalalabad is often described as lush, but even this area requires irrigation to grow citrus fruit, rice and sugar cane.

The mountains do not act as barriers, but more like funnels, as they channel people along well-worn routes from one area to another. Most mountain passes are impassable during the winter.

Chapter 1 (pp. 3 - 31) describe 11 geographic zones. 6 of these zones (the main 2/3 north-east portion) are part of the Hindu Kush mountainous region. The other 5 zones in the west and south are primarily desert or river valley plains.

• "Generally, however, Afghanistan has hot, dry summers and cold winters with heavy snowfalls in the mountains." [p. 3]
• Since rainfall is relatively light in all areas except the Salang Pass area of eastern Afghanistan, water is primarily from runoff from the Hindu Kush mountains.
• Most rivers have maximum flow in the spring, the exception being the Wakhan corrider where the maximum melt occurs in August since it is much higher. This region also has spectacular differences between morning and late afternoon flows.
• The panhandle is more properly called the Wakhan corridor and the Pamir Knot.
• The Wakhan corrider was created by the British in 1895-6 and made part of Afghanistan to ensure that British India (now Pakistan) and Tzarist Russia would not touch.
• http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/world/asia/afghanistan.jpg (excellent topographic map)
• type afghanistan into Google Images search engine

History Index