Sudan
The Country of the Week
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Khartoum
- Population
- 50,467,278 (2024 est.)
- Area
- 1,861,484 sq km
- Government
- presidential republic
- Religions
- Sunni Muslim, small Christian minority
- Ethnic Groups
- Sudanese Arab (approximately 70%), Fur, Beja, Nuba, Ingessana, Uduk, Fallata, Masalit, Dajo, Gimir, Tunjur, Berti; there are over 500 ethnic groups
- Currency
- Sudanese pounds (SDG)
- Life Expectancy
- 67.8 years (2024 est.)
- Internet Domain
- .sd
- Climate
- hot and dry; arid desert; rainy season varies by region (April to November)
- Terrain
- generally flat, featureless plain; desert dominates the north
- Natural Resources
- petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold; hydropower
- Major Exports
- crude petroleum, gold, oil seeds, sheep and goats, ground nuts (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook (public domain)
Overview
Long referred to as Nubia, modern-day Sudan was the site of the Kingdom of Kerma (ca. 2500-1500 B.C.) until it was absorbed into the New Kingdom of Egypt.