Sudan

Here’s some information about Sudan:

  • the largest country in Africa, the tenth largest in the world by size
    • equivalent to area of Ontario and Quebec combined
  • country’s name derives from the Arabic Bilad-al-sudan, literally “country of the blacks”
  • gained independence from UK in 1956
  • embroiled in two civil wars spanning 1955 to 1972 and 1983 to 2004
    • latest conflict between Arab, Muslim north where capital Khartoum is located and black animist or Christian south was fought over oil money, political powers and religious issues
    • the conflict killed 2 million people and forced 4 million from their homes
  • population: 39 million (2007 estimate)
  • life expectancy: 49.11 years
  • official languages: Arabic & English
  • Southern Sudan gross national income: $90 per capita

Links

ReliefWeb Updates: Sudan

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA) IRIN Updates: Sudan

Reuters AlertNet Crisis Profile: South Sudan fragile peace

Medair’s Programme in Southern Sudan

CIA World Factbook: Sudan