Government of National Unity (GNU) - the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) formed a power-sharing government under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA); the NCP, which came to power by military coup in 1989, is the majority partner; the agreement stipulates national elections in 2009
Independence date
15 August 1960 (from France)
1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK)
Religions
Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum), indigenous beliefs 25%
Languages
French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages note: program of "Arabization" in process
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar 441.72 (2008 est.), 483.6 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004)
Sudanese pounds (SDG) per US dollar - 2.1 (2008 est.), 2.06 (2007), 2.172 (2006), 2.4361 (2005), 2.5791 (2004) note: in October 2007 Sudan redenominated its currency by transforming 100 units of Sudanese dinar into one unit of Sudanese pound
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.700%
4.200%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
1
Location
Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea
Area
342,000 km sq
1,861,484 km sq
Coastline
169 km
853 km
Climate
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season varies by region (April to November)
