Border history · 1886–2023

Afghanistan borders over time

CShapes records 3 changes to the borders of Afghanistan between 1886 and 2023. It has been independent since May 1, 1919. Its territory covers 641,908 km², less than the 808,993 km² it covered in 1886. The largest single change came on November 12, 1893, when it lost about 167,085 km².

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Border changes
3
Area today
641,908 km²
Largest change
−167,085 km² (1893)
Status
Independent since 1919
May 1, 1919 – presentChoose a period to see its borders. The dashed line is the period before.

Timeline of Afghanistan's borders

Each period is one border version in CShapes, with its area and the change from the period before.

  1. January 1, 1886 – December 30, 1888

    808,993 km²First recorded versionIndependentWorld map in 1886

  2. December 31, 1888 – November 11, 1893

    808,993 km²±0 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1889

  3. November 12, 1893 – April 30, 1919

    641,908 km²−167,085 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1894

  4. May 1, 1919 – present

    641,908 km²±0 km²IndependentWorld map in 1919

What changed

Independence, transfers between rulers, and border changes recorded for this country.

  1. Afghanistan loses its independence to United Kingdom.
  2. Afghanistan loses about 167,085 km² of territory.
  3. Afghanistan becomes independent from United Kingdom.