Due to the country's geographic placement astride longstanding trade routes and strategic military strongholds, the people of Afghanistan are culturally mixed. Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras and Uzbeks are the four most predominant ethnic groups, each with their own traditions and customs. Although the term 'Afghan' unifies these varying groups as a national identity, it is usually most synonymous with Pashtun culture. Religion is a central part of Afghan life; 80% are Sunni Muslim, 19% are Shia Muslim and 1% do not adhere to the Islamic faith. Prior to the last three decades of war and drought, the majority of rural Afghanis were farmers.
However, dire circumstances have since seen many killed or forced out as refugees.