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South Sudan

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South Sudan is a landlocked country located in East Africa.

South Sudan 003
South Sudan 003

It sits near several other nations. To the north is Sudan. To the east is Ethiopia. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is to the southwest. Uganda is to the south, and Kenya is to the southeast. The Central African Republic borders it to the west.

South Sudan ethnic map
South Sudan ethnic map

The land has many different looks. You can find wide plains and flat plateaus. There are also dry savannahs and green mountains.

Koppen-Geiger Map v2 SSD 1991–2020
Koppen-Geiger Map v2 SSD 1991–2020

The Nile River system is a very important part of the land. It runs from south to north through the center. This river creates a huge swamp called the Sudd.

Fishing in Sudd wetland - by CPWF Basin Focal Project
Fishing in Sudd wetland - by CPWF Basin Focal Project

The way the land works is shaped by water and weather. The Nile River moves through the middle of the country. This creates the vast Sudd wetland.

Судд
Судд

Many people in the country live in rural areas. They often practice subsistence farming to grow their own food. This means they grow what they need to eat. Some people also look after cattle.

Campamento de ganado de la tribu Mundari, Terekeka, Sudán del Sur, 2024-01-27, DD 29
Campamento de ganado de la tribu Mundari, Terekeka, Sudán del Sur, 2024-01-27, DD 29

In recent years, more people have moved into urban areas. Cities are starting to see more development and growth.

Juba City
Juba City

The history of the region is very long. Nilotic people like the Dinka and Nuer arrived many centuries ago.

South Sudan ethnic map
South Sudan ethnic map

Later, groups like the Zande entered the area in the 16th century. For a long time, the region was part of Sudan. Egypt and Britain both had roles in governing the land.

South Sudan Independence
South Sudan Independence

There were two long civil wars between the north and the south. These wars caused much hardship for the people living there. After a big vote, South Sudan finally became its own independent nation.

There are many important facts to know about this new nation. South Sudan became independent on 9 July 2011.

South Sudan Independence
South Sudan Independence

This happened after 98.8% of people voted for it in a referendum. Juba is the capital and the largest city.

Juba City
Juba City

The population is estimated at over 12.7 million people in 2024. It is a very young country. About half of the people are under 18 years old.

Children in Yambio, Western Equatoria, South Sudan (28 05 2009)
Children in Yambio, Western Equatoria, South Sudan (28 05 2009)

The Dinka are the largest ethnic group. The Nuer are the second largest group.

South Sudan ethnic map
South Sudan ethnic map

South Sudan is part of many large groups around the world. It is a member of the United Nations. It is also part of the African Union.

South Sudan Independence
South Sudan Independence

You might also hear about it in the East African Community. The country is still working to grow and recover from its past. It is one of the least developed nations today.

USAID-funded Southern Sudan Interactive Radio Instruction project
USAID-funded Southern Sudan Interactive Radio Instruction project

People there follow many different faiths. Most people are Christians or follow traditional local faiths. There is also a sizeable Muslim minority.

Yirol Church
Yirol Church
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🖼️ Images & Media (30)
South_Sudan_Oyee!_(instrumental).ogg
File:A South Sudanese girl at independence festivities (5926735716).jpg
A South Sudanese girl at independence...
File:Southern Sudan Civil War.svg
Southern Sudan Civil War.svg
File:South Sudan protected areas.svg
South Sudan protected areas.svg
File:Судд.jpg
Судд.jpg
File:Koppen-Geiger_Map_v2_SSD_1991–2020.svg
Koppen-Geiger_Map_v2_SSD_1991–2020.svg
File:Fishing in Sudd wetland - by CPWF Basin Focal Project.jpg
Fishing in Sudd wetland - by CPWF Basin...
File:President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan (cropped).jpg
President Barack Obama and First Lady...
File:South Sudan Independence.jpg
South Sudan Independence.jpg
File:South Sudan 003.jpg
South Sudan 003.jpg
File:SouthSudanStatesandAdministrativeAreas.svg
SouthSudanStatesandAdministrativeAreas.svg
File:Secretary Kerry Meets With South Sudan President Kiir (3).jpg
Secretary Kerry Meets With South Sudan...

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