Abandoned cities, crumbling stelaes, slave trade relicts – Africa really does have some remarkable ruins.Read more...
Sudan - At a glance
Sudan at a glance
Location On the upper east coast of Africa, lying just south of Egypt next to the Red Sea
Neighbouring countries Egypt, Libya, Chad, Uganda, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea
Climate Tropical. Rainy season begins in July.
Population 31 million (2012)
Life expectancy 55.4 years
Capital Khartoum (population approximately 5 million)
Other main towns Omdurman, Port Sudan, Kassala and El Obeid
Main exports Oil and petroleum products, livestock, foodstuffs and cotton
GDP (PPP) US$93.760 billion, GDP (PPP) per capita US$2,700 (2014 estimates)
Official languages Arabic and English
Religion 97% of Sudanese are Muslim. The balance of the population is Christian or follows indigenous faiths.
Currency Sudanese pound (SDG) (for up-to-date rates, go to www.xe.com)
National airline Sudan Airways
International dialling code +249
Time UTC (GMT) +3
Electric voltage 220V, round two-pin plugs
Weights and measures Metric
Flag Three vertical stripes of red, white and black with a green equilateral triangle on the left-hand side
National anthem ‘Nahnu Jund Allah Jund Al-watan’ (We are the army of God and of our land)
National sports Athletics, football, handball, basketball and volleyball
Public holidays 1 January (Independence Day); 7 January (Coptic Christmas); 26 February (Birth of the Prophet); 30 June (Revolution Day); 25 December (Christmas Day). The dates of Coptic Easter, Eid and Islamic New Year vary.