Sudan

At a glance Land People Economy Achievements and challenges Links with Australia Sudan at a glance Did you know? Sudan is the largest country in Africa - 2.505 million sq km followed by Algeria 2.381 million sq km (Australia 7.617 million sq km) Region Africa Population 40,187,486 (July 2005 est.) Land Geography: Generally flat plains dominated by Nile River, deserts in the north Climate: Tropical in south; arid in north; rainy season varies according to latitude People Religion: Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), indigenous beliefs 25%, Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum) Language: Arabic (official), many local languages, English Economy Economy: oil, agriculture Government Military dictatorship with a pro-government parliament Land Physical geography Sudan's vast flat plains are dominated by the north flowing River Nile and its tributaries. The capital city of Khartoum lies at the meeting of the White and Blue Niles. The northern region consists of the barren, rocky Saharan desert plain, the central region is fertile river valleys while the southern region is swampy and flooded annually. No point is very high above sea-level although there are mountains in the northeast near the Red Sea coast, and in the far west and south with the highest point being Mt Kinyeti, 3187 metres, near the Ugandan border. Climate The climate of Sudan varies widely - equatorial in the south, savannah in the central region and arid in the north. The amount of rainfall and length of the rainy season decreases the further north you travel from the swamps and rainforest in the south to the desert in the north. The dry regions are plagued by sandstorms, known as haboobs. Environment The varied climate and terrain creates many different environments. The desert areas of the north support little vegetation. Along the banks of the Nile there are a wide variety of trees such as acacia, baobab and ebony as well as rubber and castor-oil plants with cotton and papyrus. In the south, the swampy Sudd is home to many migratory birds and animals including shoebill storks, hippopotami, crocodiles, elephants, lions, buffaloes, zebras, gazelles, antelope, giraffe and ostriches. Chimpanzees, baboons, and colobus monkeys are found in the forests. Insect life is abundant; mosquitoes infest the riverbanks and swamps, seroot flies (large bloodsucking houseflies) and tsetse flies are a scourge during the wet months. Hunting and oil production are threatening wildlife and their habitats. People The total population of Sudan is 40,187,486 (July 2005) of which 38% live in the urban areas mainly in the north. The bulk of the population is concentrated along the banks of the River Nile in the fertile central region. The population of Khartoum, the capital, is growing rapidly and ranges from 6-7 million, including around 2 million displaced persons from the southern war zone as well as western and eastern drought-affected areas. Roughly 8% of the population are nomadic. People Culture and identity Sudan has many cultures - Arab (39%) and nearly 600 ethnic groups who speak more than 400 languages and dialects, which makes effective collaboration among them a major problem. Arabic is the official language although there are a number of varieties which are not mutually understood. There is a process of Arabisation underway and migration and education mean that many of the smaller languages have been lost. The major Muslim (but non-Arab) groups are Nubians in far north, nomadic Beja in northeast, and Fur in west. In the south the non-Muslim, Nilote and Sudanic groups dominate and include the Dinka (more than 10% of total population and 40% in south) and Nuer. The culture of many groups is based around the agricultural seasons and cattle. Traditionally roles have been defined by gender and age. Families are large to carry on the family name. Personal decoration is spectacular and comes in a wide variety of forms: beading, oiling with butter, cut patterns into the skin, hair dyed or shaved into patterns, and bright coloured clothing are common. Poems and songs are used for ceremonies, work, initiation ceremonies, learning history and even ritually in competition to resolve a quarrel. Women make pottery and weave baskets and mats. Traditional culture is still strong in remote areas but changes are happening rapidly as groups are forced to settle in particular areas and the ongoing conflict destroys communities. Health There are many health problems associated with malnutrition and communicable diseases - malaria, respiratory infections, diarrhoea, tuberculosis. South Sudan hosts an estimated 80% of the total guinea-worm cases worldwide. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is low but shows a steadily increasing trend and predominant in Juba in the south. While infant mortality has declined from 104 per 1000 live births in the early 1970s to 64 by 2002 there are deep regional disparities, especially in war affected areas. General life expectancy is only 58 years. Religion and beliefs More than half the total population is Muslim, most living in north, where Muslims constitute 75% or more of population. Most people in south and a substantial minority in north are adherents of various indigenous religions. These vary widely although several groups may share elements of belief and ritual because of common ancestry or mutual influence. The concept of a high spirit or divinity, usually seen as a creator, is common to most Sudanese groups. Cattle play a significant role in use as payment for bride and sacrificed for misdeeds. There are relatively few Christians, who mostly live in the south. Food and shelter Sudanese cuisine varies greatly throughout the country but the ritual of hospitality is very important. Water, fruit juices, fermented milk are common drinks. Meals are served in common dishes on a low table and are eaten by scooping up the spicy meat and vegetable dishes with flat breads. Coffee is made from beans that are fried and ground with spices and is served in tiny cups. Traditional housing for many groups is mud walls and a thatched roof although the shapes vary from group to group. Cooking in rural areas is done outdoors in pots over a stone hearth. Economy Wealth and poverty The average income per head was $US 340 for the year (in 2001) but there are wide regional disparities in economic and social development. Education and work The average enrolment rate in primary education is about 58%, with wide geographic variations, including levels below 20% in some states. The adult literacy rates are 50.5% (female) and 71.8% (male). Agriculture production is Sudan's most important sector, employing 80% of the work force and making up 39% of the economy. Problems of irrigation and transportation remain the greatest constraints to a more dynamic agricultural economy. Industries and products Oil, cotton spinning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoe manufacturing, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments, car and light truck assembly are the major industries which employ about 7% of the workforce. Trade Sudan exports oil and petroleum products, cotton, sesame, peanuts, gum Arabic, sugar and livestock (sheep and camels). Its major markets are China 41%, Saudi Arabia 17%, United Arab Emirates 5.4% (2003) It imports foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles, and wheat from Saudi Arabia 16%, China 14%, UK 5%, Germany 5% and India 5%. Achievements and challenges Sudan enjoys a very rich diversity of terrain, climate and ethnic composition and is endowed with many natural resources. Sudan is turning its struggling economy around through the implementation of International Monetary Fund (IMF) economic policies and infrastructure investments Increased oil production, revived light industry and expanded export processing zones have improved the national wealth but the benefits are not evenly distributed. In January 2005 a peace agreement was signed between the government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement which includes provisions on power-sharing, some autonomy for the south and more equitable distribution of economic resources, including oil. International peace monitoring and humanitarian assistance will be needed to support the agreement. Twenty years of internal conflict, recurrent floods, droughts, storms, and a wide range of diseases constitute major economic, social, environmental and health problems. Its many ethnic groups and the sparsely spread population over a vast area lead to high costs in establishing and maintaining effective infrastructure. Links with Australia The 2001 Census recorded 4,910 Sudan born persons in Australia with 2,620 in New South Wales, 1000 in Victoria, 420 in Western Australia and 380 in Queensland. Australian has contributed to international relief programs assisting refugees in southern and western Sudan. It has resettled about 10,000 Sudanese refugees through the Special Humanitarian Program in the last two years and about 30% of these have settled in Greater Melbourne.

Some Darfuri boys in a refugee camp have built their own cart to transport food © World Food Program/Nancy Palus