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 41,087,825 (July 2009 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), English (official) and many local languages Economy GDP per person (PPP): $2,300 (2009 estimate) GDP by sector: Agriculture: 33%, Industry: 29%, Services:38% 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 In 2009 the total population of Sudan was 41,087,825 of which 43% 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 in 2007 4,754,000 people lived there, 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 and English are the official languages 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, hepatitis A and E and typhoid fever. South Sudan hosts an estimated 80% of the total guinea-worm cases worldwide. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is low (1.4%) but shows a steadily increasing trend and predominant in Juba in the south. While infant mortality has slowly declined from 104 per 1000 live births in the early 1970s to 82 by 2009 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 Sunni Muslim, most living in north. Most people in the south and a substantial minority in the 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 and 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. Oil production and increased demand brought significant growth to Sudan’s economy in recent years however, global economic downturn since the second half of 2008, enduring conflict, poor infrastructure and the dependence on subsistence agriculture contribute to the nation’s poor economic performance. Education and work The average enrolment rate in primary education is about 63%, with wide geographic variations, including levels below 20% in some states. Just over half of these students go on to secondary school. 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 33% 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). In recent years its major markets have shifted from the Middle East to Asia, with China receiving half of Sudanese exports, followed by Japan (33.4%) and Indonesia (5.5%). Sudan imports foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles, and wheat from China 20%, Saudi Arabia 8.4%, United Arab Emirates (6.2%) India 6.1%, Egypt 5.5% and Italy 4.1%. 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 is in place to support the agreement. Since 2003 there has also been conflict in the western Darfur region of Sudan which has spilled over the border to Chad. The United Nations and African Union providing some protection to civilians in Darfur, facilitating the humanitarian aid operation, and helping provide an environment in which peace can take root. 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 Sudanese community in Australia is one of the fastest growing in Australia. The 2006 census recorded 19,050 Sudan born persons in Australia, up from only 4,910 in 2001. Most Sudanese immigrants have come to Australia under the special Humanitarian Programme after fleeing conflict, drought and famine. Australian continues to contribute to international relief programs assisting refugees in southern and western Sudan.

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