This booklet provides a basic introduction to the people, history, and cultures of Afghanistan. It is designed primarily for service providers and others assisting the Afghan refugees in their new communities in the United States. The 12 sections focus on: (1) "Preface"; (2) "Introduction" (recent Afghan refugees); (3) "The Land"; (4) "The Economy"; (5) "The People" (Pushtuns, Tajiks, Altaic groups, and other ethnic groups); (6) "History" (antiquity, early conquests, introduction of Islam, empires, beginnings of Afghanistan, western powers, formation of Afghanistan, modernization of Afghanistan, Soviet occupation, and current crisis); (7) "Religion" (the Sunni and the Shi's, the Taliban version of Islam, and Islam's impact on daily life); (8) "Daily Live and Values" (social structures, family life, key cultural and social values, festivities, food and drink, dress, and music and literature); (9) "Language and Literacy" (language roots, language use, features of Dari and Pashto, and names); (10) "Education"; (11) "Cross-Cultural and Adjustment Challenge" (physical health, mental health, educational concerns, learning English, women's issues, and capacity and community building); and (12) "Bibliography for Further Reading." (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse for ESL Literacy Education.) (SM)