When American soldiers first arrived in 2001, many were taken aback by the stark contrast between the war and the natural beauty all around them.
"The surroundings were so beautiful," recounted Sergeant Thristan Tupaz. "Even though there is a war going on, I know there's going to be Taliban surrounding us — for some odd reason I just find it very peaceful."
Source: Journalism for the Soul
Afghanistan is nestled amid the steep Hindu Kush mountains between South Asia and the Middle East, and its peaks stand among some of the highest in the world.
In the gaps between these natural formations lie countless, isolated valleys. In the most remote regions of Afghanistan, each valley is fiercely independent from others around them.
The mountains divide not just environments, but also people. Today, Afghanistan is a patchwork of cultures and ethnic groups.
For millennia, Afghanistan's location along the Silk Road exposed it to ideas from far and wide. Although Afghanistan is overwhelmingly Muslim today, the country's long Buddhist, Hindu, and Zoroastrian history shines through.
Source: BBC
Despite the decades-long war, artisans and craftsmen continue to practice what they've always done best.
From mountain villages to irrigated desert farms, Afghanistan's people have truly made the most of their challenging yet inspiring environment.
And although their circumstances have rarely been kind to them, the people of Afghanistan's many regions have always persevered.
Amid Afghanistan's mountains, hope remains. Because as the Afghan proverb reads, "After every darkness is light."
Source: WikiQuote