South Sudan

South Sudan is a landlocked country in East Africa, on the upper course of the White Nile. It borders Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic, and Juba is the capital and largest city. English is the sole official language, and some 60 indigenous languages hold constitutional status as national languages.

Nilotic peoples such as the Dinka, Nuer, Shilluk and Bari settled the region before the 10th century, and migrations from the 15th to the 19th century brought many of them to their present homes in Bahr el Ghazal, the Upper Nile and Equatoria. In the 18th century the Azande under King Gbudwe built a strong state in the southwestern forests. Egypt ruled the Sudan in the 19th century, and from 1899 it was governed by Britain and Egypt together until Sudan became independent in 1956. The south gained self-rule under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005.

In a referendum in January 2011, 98.83% of voters chose independence, and South Sudan became the 54th independent state of Africa on 9 July 2011, now Independence Day. It is a presidential republic with a two-chamber National Legislature. Oil provides more than 90% of state revenue, the country holds the third-largest oil reserves in Sub-Saharan Africa, and timber is exported as well.

The White Nile crosses the country from south to north and spreads into the Sudd, one of the largest wetlands in the world. Badingilo National Park hosts the second-largest wildlife migration on Earth, and Boma National Park shelters kob, topi, buffalo, elephants and giraffes. Wrestling after the harvest is a traditional sport. Luol Deng starred in the NBA, Manute Bol was another leading player, and the national basketball team reached its first World Cup in 2023.