THE AK-47From combat zones to inner cities, the AK-47 is the weapon of choice for soldier and criminal alike and its image is an internationally understood symbol of aggression. As conflicts around the world continue, we profile the world's most infamous weapon

What does AK-47 stand for?

The AK stands for automatic Kalashnikov, after the inventor. '47' refers to the year it was invented.

How many AK-47s are there in the world?

There are somewhere between 75 and 100 million AK-47s worldwide - or one for every 60 people on earth.

Just how much damage does the weapon cause?

Each year, some 250,000 people die from wounds inflicted by an AK-47.

How much does one cost?

In some parts of the world, an AK-47 can be purchased for as little as $10. In most places, one can be bought for USD$100-$300.

How did the AK-47 first make its way to the world's most dangerous conflict zones?

Covert actions by the US CIA funnelled millions of AK-47s to Afghanistan in the 1970s in order to fight Soviet invaders.

Who particularly likes AK-47s?

Video footage of Osama bin Laden shows him firing an AK-47. Saddam Hussein was captured with two. 100,000 given to Iraqi security forces have fallen into civilian hands.

How prevalent is the AK-47 as a symbol in contemporary politics?

The Russian AK-47 is part of the Mozambique flag and that of Hizbullah, the pro-Iranian Shia Muslim group in Lebanon.