25+ Interesting Facts About South Sudan

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  1. South Sudan is a landlocked country in northeastern Africa. The current ethnic groups of South Sudan settled in this region between the 15th to 19th centuries.
  2. South Sudan is the latest internationally recognized independent country in the world after its independence from Sudan in 2011. It is also the newest member of the UN. (Source)
  3. Sudan came under British rule alongside Sudan by the end of the 19th Century. This rule ended in 1956 with the independence of Sudan.
  4. The strained relations between the northern and southern parts of Sudan resulted in two civil wars. The First Sudanese Civil War (1955-72) and the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005) were among the longest civil wars in Africa. Millions of people died during both wars.
  5. The Second Sudanese Civil War ended after a peace agreement in 2005. It followed the liberation of South Sudan after a referendum in 2011.
  6. After independence, a civil war broke out between different ethnic groups of South Sudan in 2013. This South Sudanese civil war continued till 2020 and resulted in nearly 400,000 deaths and millions of displacements.
  7. Most South Sudanese belong to the Nilotes linguistic group that speaks various Nilo-Saharan languages.
  8. South Sudan has a younger population, like many other African countries. More than 40% are less than 15 years of age, while around 30% are between 15 and 29 years.
  9. South Sudan is the 4th least peaceful country in the world according to the 2020 Global Peace Index. It is also the least peaceful African country. (Source)
  10. South Sudan is also at the 4th spot in the Fragile States Index 2021. The country was at the top position in this index in 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019. (Source)
  11. Ghost weddings are common among Dinka, Nuer, and other tribes of South Sudan. Women are forced to marry dead men. These traditional marriages are accepted because they provide financial benefits to women. (Source)
  12. South Sudan is at the 6th highest position in child marriages. Around 52% of children below 18 years get married in South Sudan. (Source)
  13. The Sudd in South Sudan is the largest wetland in Africa and one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands and freshwater ecosystems. It covers an approximate area of 57,000 km2. (Source) 
    Satellite image of Sudd swamp in South Sudan
    The Sudd is the largest wetland in Africa

  14. Around 1.3 million antelopes annually cover a distance of 5 million acres in Boma National Park, South Sudan. It is one of the largest wildlife migrations in the world. (Source)
  15. There are several famous national parks and game reserves in South Sudan. These include Boma National Park, Southern National Park, and Badingilo National Park.
  16. The landmass of the country is diverse. It generally includes savannas, mountains, and wetlands.
  17. The forest landscape integrity index (FLII) calculates the integrity of forests in different countries, which assists in slowing climate change. South Sudan is at the 4th spot in the FLII list.
  18. South Sudan has a tropical climate. It rains mostly in the summer season, while the winter season remains dry.
  19. Dinka and Nuer are the two largest ethnic groups in South Sudan. Around 40% are Dinka, and 20% of the population belongs to Nuer.
  20. English is the official working language and the language of instruction for education in South Sudan.
  21. South Sudan has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world. It is just over 58 years, slightly higher than a few other African countries.
  22. South Sudan has the highest maternal mortality rate in Africa. Nearly 1,150 women out of 100,000 die during childbirth. (Source)
  23. More than 90% of the South Sudanese population follows Christianity and traditional beliefs. There is also a small Muslim minority.
  24. South Sudan has the lowest literacy rate in the world. The adult literacy rate in this African country is just 27%. (Source)
  25. South Sudan has the 3rd largest oil reserves in Sub-Saharan Africa. Around 90% of oil and gas reserves in this country are untapped. (Source)
  26. Crude petroleum, gold, and forage crops are the main exports of South Sudan. On the other hand, the main imports of the country are cars, delivery trucks, and packaged medicaments. (Source)
  27. South Sudan is one of few countries in the world without any UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Source)

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