About Sudan
Geography
Sudan’s total area was, until recently, 2,505,813 square kilometres; land area 2,376,000 square kilometres; coastline 835 kilometres. Until 2011 (when South Sudan gained its independence), it was, geographically, the largest country in Africa. The total area of Sudan is now 1,861,484 square kilometres, while the total area of South Sudan is 644,329 square kilometres.
Sudan is a land of plateaus and plains. Low mountains are found behind the Red Sea coast, in the far south, and in the far west. The only interior highlands of consequence are the Nuba Mountains west of the White Nile. All significant streams flow into the White Nile or Blue Nile, which join at Khartoum to form the River Nile.
Climate
Rainfall ranges from rare and occasional in the far northern desert to relatively abundant. In most years, central Sudan has enough rain for agriculture, but a lack of rain the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s caused severe drought. Dust storms, often accompanying the arrival of the annual southwesterly rains in May–July, are common in central and parts of northern Sudan, reducing visibility and causing much discomfort. Mean temperatures and daily maximums aregenerally high; desert temperatures can be quite cool at night. Desertification, deforestation, and land degradation are among severe environmental problems.
Population
Sudan has a population of 37.9 million according to the World Bank estimates in 2013. According to Sudan’s most recent census of April 2008, total population was 39.2 million, 30.9 million in Northern Sudan and 8.3 million in Southern Sudan; just over 47 percent were aged 16 years or younger. Population growth peaked in the 1980s at 3.3 percent a year but declined thereafter; in 2008 the annual growth rate was estimated at 2.1 percent. Roughly two-thirds of the population lives within 300–500 kilometres of Khartoum, with concentration in the Khartoum area. In 2012 life expectancy was 62 years (World Bank estimates). Sudan’s population consists of some 600 ethnic groups.
Languages
Sudan is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse nations in the world. Its people speak more than 400 languages and dialects. Until the early 2000s, Arabic was the official language, but English was also widely spoken, The Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 established Arabic and English as equal working languages of government and society, but today Arabic is again the official language in the North.