South Sudan

Welcome to South Sudan

South Sudan is a beautiful country in East Africa. It is landlocked, meaning it does not touch the ocean. South Sudan shares borders with Sudan to the north, Ethiopia to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the southwest, Uganda to the south, Kenya to the southeast, and the Central African Republic to the west. The land has plains, plateaus, and savannahs. The important Nile River runs through a large swamp area called the Sudd. Juba, the capital and largest city, is home to many people.

South Sudan became independent on July 9, 2011. Most people voted to split from Sudan. This made South Sudan a new country. Despite its short history, South Sudan works hard to improve life for its people. The country has many different ethnic groups, mostly from the Nilotic peoples. About half of all people are under 18 years old. Many people practice Christianity or traditional beliefs. South Sudan is one of the least developed countries in the world, but it is working toward growth and development. It is a member of international groups such as the United Nations, the African Union, and the East African Community.

The name Sudan refers to a region south of the Sahara. It stretches from Western Africa to eastern Central Africa. The word comes from an Arabic phrase that means "Land of the Blacks". Arab traders and geographers were the first to use this term. The Nilotic people of South Sudan lived there long ago. Many groups moved to their current homes between the 15th and 19th centuries. During British rule, the south did not get many schools, hospitals, or roads. After Sudan became independent, there were uprisings and difficult times. In 2011, people voted to decide if South Sudan should be its own country. Most voted yes, and South Sudan became independent on July 9, 2011. It joined the United Nations soon after.

South Sudan has tropical forests, swamps, and grasslands. The White Nile flows through the land, passing the city of Juba. The Sudd, formed by the river, is also called the Bahr al Jabal, or "Mountain Sea". The country has many parks with wild animals. Bandingilo National Park is home to big animal migrations. Other parks like Boma National Park, the Sudd wetland, and Southern National Park have animals such as hartebeest, kob, topi, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, and lions. These parks also have many other creatures, including bongo, giant forest hogs, red river hogs, forest elephants, chimpanzees, and monkeys. South Sudan has a tropical climate. It rains from May to October, and the rest of the year is drier. Temperatures stay warm, between about 20°C and 37°C. The land has grasslands, savannas, floodplains, and wetlands, all home to many animals.

The government of South Sudan has a presidential system. The president is the head of state and the head of government. The National Legislature has two parts: the National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States. The capital city is Juba, but there are plans to move it to a new city called Ramciel. South Sudan has ten states. These states are in three areas: Bahr el Ghazal, Equatoria, and Greater Upper Nile. South Sudan works with many countries and is part of the United Nations and the African Union.

South Sudan's culture has been influenced by its neighbors. Many South Sudanese people moved to countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, where they learned new languages and customs. Those who stayed often adopted parts of Sudanese culture. Music is very important in South Sudan. Artists often sing in English, Swahili, Juba Arabic, or their own languages. Popular genres include Afro-beat, R&B, Zouk, reggae, folk, and hip hop. Some well-known musicians are Yaba Angelosi, De Peace Child, Dynamq, and Emmanuel Jal, who has performed around the world. Traditional games and sports, like wrestling and mock battles, are popular in South Sudan. These were often played after harvests to celebrate and have fun. Today, association football is becoming more popular, with many programs helping young players improve. The South Sudan national association football team joined FIFA in 2012. Basketball is also strong, with many South Sudanese players becoming famous around the world, such as Luol Deng. The South Sudan national basketball team began playing internationally in 2011.