Pakistan shares the largest border with Afghanistan, at 1,509 miles, taking up almost the entire eastern border, while China takes up the other 47 miles. It is the 36th largest country in the world by area, at 494,670 square miles. As of July 2011, the country's population was an estimated 187,342,721, of which 95 percent are Muslim and either Sunni or Shia. The remaining 5 percent are either Hindu or Christian.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have historically been generally cordial. The Pakistani military and Afghan coalition meet periodically to discuss and realign ground and map borders.The two countries have common religious beliefs, with Afghanistan's population being 99 percent Muslim and, like Pakistan, being mainly of the Sunni faith. Pakistan has historically supported Afghanistan in conflicts against the Soviet Union and has accepted millions of Afghan refugees. In the wake of the overthrow of Afghanistan's Taliban regime in 2001, Pakistan offered help in some areas to rebuild and rehabilitate Afghanistan and ultimately help return refugees home.
Afghanistan's 581-mile eastern border is taken up by the country of Iran. It is a Middle Eastern country and the 18th largest in the world. At 1,024,141 square miles, Iran is just slightly smaller than Alaska. As of July 2011, the country's estimated population is around 77,891,220. It is a mainly Muslim country, with 98 percent of its population being either Shia or Sunni Muslims. The remaining 2 percent are either Jewish, Christian, Zoroastrian or Baha'i.
In terms of religion, the two countries are mainly Muslim; however, Iran's population is largely of the Shia Muslim faith, which has historically caused tensions. Iran in the past stood by the minority Shia Muslims in Afghanistan, supporting them in revolutions. During Afghanistan's troubles with the Soviet Union, Iran's support of Shia Muslims within the country caused internal turmoil. Iran also openly opposed the Taliban regime after the regime killed nine Iranian diplomats. Since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, relations have gradually improved between the two countries and Iran has actually helped Afghanistan to rebuild itself.
