South Sudan: Information

South Sudan: Country Profile, History, Geography, and Key Facts

South Sudan, officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, is an East-Central African landlocked country that gained independence on July 9, 2011, following a historic referendum. As the world’s youngest internationally recognized sovereign state, it holds strategic significance in the Nile Basin and borders Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic.

Key Facts and Overview

• Capital and Largest City: Juba

• Official Language: English

• Recognized National Languages: Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk, and others

• Currency: South Sudanese Pound (SSP)

• Government: Federal presidential republic

• Population: Approximately 11 to 12 million people

Geography and Climate

South Sudan covers an area of roughly 644,329 square kilometers. Its landscape is dominated by vast tropical forests, savannah grasslands, and extensive wetlands:

• The Sudd: One of the world’s largest wetlands, formed by the White Nile (locally known as the Bahr al Jabal), covering tens of thousands of square kilometers and supporting diverse wildlife and fishing communities.

• Climate: Characterized by a tropical climate featuring high temperatures year-round, distinct wet seasons (April to November), and dry seasons with varying rainfall from the south to the semi-arid north.

People, Culture, and Demographics

The population is composed of over 60 indigenous ethnic groups. The largest ethnic groups are the Dinka, followed by the Nuer, Shilluk, Bari, and Azande. Cultural traditions are deeply intertwined with pastoralism, agriculture, music, and oral storytelling. The primary religions practiced across the nation are Christianity and traditional African religions, alongside a small Muslim minority.

Economy and Natural Resources

South Sudan’s economy is predominantly centered on natural resource extraction and subsistence agriculture:

• Petroleum: Crude oil exports represent the vast majority of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings, with oil transported via pipelines passing northward through Sudan to Port Sudan on the Red Sea.

• Agriculture & Livestock: Fertile arable land supports sorghum, maize, millet, and sesame cultivation, alongside extensive cattle herding, which holds immense cultural and economic value.

• Natural Wealth: Beyond petroleum, the country possesses unexploited mineral reserves, including gold, copper, iron ore, and limestone, as well as significant timber and hydroelectric potential along the Nile.