National Geographic's 'Afghan Girl' (1985)
PhotographAbout
The "Afghan Girl" photograph, taken by Steve McCurry in 1984, is a haunting portrait of Sharbat Gula, a young Afghan refugee. It appeared on the June 1985 cover of National Geographic, becoming one of the magazine's most iconic images[1][3]. The photo captures Gula's striking green eyes and intense gaze, evoking a sense of resilience and determination. At the time, Gula was about 12 years old and living in the Nasir Bagh refugee camp in Pakistan, having fled Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan War[1][5]. The photograph has been widely discussed for its powerful portrayal of conflict and its impact on individuals. Gula's identity remained unknown until 2002, when she was found by a National Geographic team[1][3]. The image has become a symbol of Afghanistan and its people, representing both the hardships faced by refugees and the resilience of those affected by war[1][5]. The photograph's enduring relevance stems from its ability to convey the human cost of conflict through a single, captivating image[3][5].
