Sudan officially the Republic of Sudan is a country in northeastern Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, Kenya and Uganda to the southeast, Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic to the southwest, Chad to the west and Libya to the northwest.
Official Name: Jumhuriyat as-Sudan
Short Form: As-Sudan
International Short Form: Sudane
Country Calling Code: +249
Capital City: Khartoum (pop. 1.4 million)
Other Cities: Omdurman (2.1 million), Port Sudan (pop. 450 000), Kassala, Kosti,
Juba, the capital of southern region.
Government Type: Republic
Independence: 1 January 1956 (from the UK).
Population: 31 million (2008; incl. South Sudan)
Ethnic Groups: Sudanese Arab 70%, Nubians,Beja, Copts, Fur, Nuba, Fallata.
Religions: Sunni Islam (official), indigenous beliefs in southern Sudan.
Languages: Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, English, tribal languages.
Natural Resources: Petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower.
Agriculture Products: Cotton, groundnuts, sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), mangos, papaya, bananas, sweet potatoes, sesame; sheep, livestock.
Industries: Oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments, automobile/light truck assembly.
Currency: Sudanese Pound (SDG).
Source: www.nationsonline.org/Africa; www.bbc.com/ Sudan Profile; other.