The Republic of Sudan is…

• an Arab state in North Africa

• bordered by Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Chad and Libya

• the third largest country in Africa

Key facts

• Population: 43,552,000 (2010)• Geographic area: 1,881,000 km2

• Capital city: Khartoum (pop. 1,410,858)• Currency: Sudanese pound• Language: Arabic• Local time: GMT + 3 hours• GCP growth: 0.0%

Khartoum

Al sa-lahm

Arabic is Sudan’s official language, spoken by 49% of the people.

English is widely spoken, but a few words in Arabic are always welcome.

Hello Al sa-lahmGoodbye Be-kha-trahkYes Na-a’amNo La; mish Thankyou Shook-rahn

Listen to a folk poem performed by a school student

Fascinating geography

From the spectacular River Nile to life in the desert

•The River Nile is the dominant geographical feature.

The Blue Nile and White Nile flow north, converging in Khartoum to form the River Nile.

•Libyan and Nubian desert regions in

the north, extending to Khartoum.

•The Red Sea on the east coast.

Some of the best accessible coral reefs

in the world.

Desert life

Sudan lies within the tropics and has a dry continental climate.

Temperatures are between 27C and 38C but can rise as high as 47C in June

Agriculture, commerce and industry

• Cotton, groundnuts, sorghum, gum arabic, millet, wheat, sugar cane, mangos, bananas, sesame, sheep and other livestock

• Textiles, cement, sugar, soap, shoes,

motor car and light truck

assembly

• Oil, dams and hydro-electric

power

Urban and rural life

Significant migration from rural areas to towns and cities

60% rural

40% urban

Rich culture and heritage

Portrayal of a wedding at Arkawit School, Khartoum

Listen to Kamil sing about Sudan’s history

A potted history

• 11th – 4th centuries BC part of Cush empire

• Under Egyptian, Ethiopian, Turkish and British rule at various times

• 1956 gained independence from Britain

• 1978 oil discovered in Southern Sudan

• 1983 civil war and introduction of Islamic Sharia law

• 2003 government rebels instigated the ongoing conflict in Dafur in the west of Sudan

• 2012 South Sudan became independent and agreement was drawn up between the two countries

All this and pyramids too!

• Temples, tombs and pyramids are spread across five sites.

225 pyramids in Sudan - more than in Egypt. • Omdurman camel market• The Arab souk in Khartoum• The dam at Jebel Aulia• The Dinder National Park for a

wide range of wildlife• The Red Sea for some of the best

diving to see coral reefs

• Find out how to find a Sudanese partner school

• Find out how to include a Sudan school in your UK – Africa partnership

• Find out how to apply for a grant to develop your partnership with a school in an eligible country

Connecting Classrooms - Sudan