| Natural Resources in Afghanistan – book of the month April 2015 |
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«Natural Resources in Afghanistan: Geographic and Geologic Perspectives on Centuries of Conflict» details Afghanistan’s physical geography – climate, soils, vegetation, water, hazards, geology, geomorphology – together with details of rich natural resources, ethnic problems, and history. The book couples these details with the challenges of environmental degradation and new environmental management and protection, all of which are considered finally in both pessimistic and optimistic modes. The reader comes away with understanding the issues that are likely to have great effect for this pivotal region of the world for decades to come.
The extremely informative book contains many images and very detailed maps. One would sometimes wish the maps would have been printed at a larger format or seperately in order to better appreciate the information. «Natural Resources in Afghanistan» is probably the best introductory publication available at the moment.
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With an estimated US$ 1–3 trillion dollars of ore in the ground, and multiple cross-reinforcing cancellations of big Asian power machinations (China, India, Iran, Pakistan), Afghanistan has an opportunity to gain more economic independence. At the same time, however, historic forces of negativity also pull it back toward the chaos and uncertainty that has defined the country and constrained its economic progress for decades.