South Sudan, officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa. It gained independence from the Republic of Sudan in 2011, making it the most recent sovereign state with widespread recognition. Its capital and largest city is Juba. The landscape of South Sudan is primarily made up of tropical forests, swamps and grassland. Located in the southeast, and extending into Uganda, the Imatong Mountains contain South Sudan’s highest point: Mount Kinyeti at 10,456 ft. (3,187 m). The lowest point of the country is unknown at this time.
Key Cities
Key cities in South Sudan include Juba, Winejok, Malakal, Wau pajok yei, Yambio, Aweil, Gogrial, Rumbek, bor, and Torit.
Historical, Cultural facts & Religion
The modern states of South Sudan and Sudan were part of Egypt under the Muhammad Ali Dynasty, later being governed as an Anglo-Egyptian condominium until Sudanese independence was achieved in 1956. Following the First Sudanese Civil War, the Southern Sudan Autonomous Region was formed in 1972 and lasted until 1983. South Sudan’s population, predominantly African cultures who tend to adhere to Christian or animist beliefs, was long at odds with Sudan’s largely Muslim and Arab northern government. South Sudan’s capital is Juba.
Brief Country History
The history of South Sudan reflects too much of the history of Africa. When European colonial powers began leaving the continent, the borders left behind often mashed together different religions, tribes and other factors that have led to wars and conflicts that continue today. Original Sudan was controlled by neighboring Egypt for thousands of years. Missionaries converted the area to Christianity in the 6th century, but followers of Islam replaced the Christians, and different groups controlled the area until the Egyptians and British regained control in the late 1800s. By the 1950s nationalism had grown in Sudan and in 1956 the country was granted independence by Britain. The problem was that the larger and more powerful north was controlled by fundamentalist Islamic law and religion of the area that’s now South Sudan was either Christian or animist. The country was basically split into Arabs to the north and black Africans to the south.
The civil war quickly developed between the two groups and fighting lasted until 1972. The second civil war, which changed Moses Joknhial’s life, began in 1983 and saw more than two million deaths.
A peace treaty was signed in 2005, guaranteeing eventual autonomy and eventual statehood for South Sudan, which occurred in 2011 with the blessing of many western nations, including the United States.
In 2013 the South Sudanese began fighting each other based on two tribal groups, one of which was led by the country’s president and the other by the vice-president. Peace was reached in 2015, but fighting continues today.
The United Nations estimates that 300,000 have been killed in the latest fighting and another 4 million have been displaced, including more than 2 million to other countries. South Sudan’s population was estimated at 12.2 million in 2016.
Any further development of South Sudan will be restricted by civil war and its lack of modernization, famine, disease and drought.
Language (s) Written & Spoken
South Sudan is a multilingual country, with over 60 indigenous languages spoken. The official language of the country is English which was introduced in the region during the colonial era (see Anglo-Egyptian Sudan). Some of the indigenous languages with the most speakers include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, and Zande.
Important Types of Commerce in South Sudan
The region also contains many natural resources such as petroleum, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, and hydropower. The country’s economy, as in many other developing countries, is heavily dependent on agriculture.
Language Services US and others will provide working with South Sudan
South Sudan a multilingual country with over 60 indigenous languages. Although English is the shared language, if you really want to communicate to the heart of the people, in their culture you would be required to utilize professional Dinka, Nuer, Bari, and Zande translation/ interpretation services. Professional translators who are very knowledgeable about the culture, traditions, people, lifestyle, and language of their adopted country should be considered.
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