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Capital:
Khartoum city is the capital of Sudan.
Land and Topography:
Sudan is the Largest African country, covering an area of almost one million
square miles, or 3.8% of the land area of the African continent, and shares
borders with nine African and Arab countries. Geographically, it is situated
more or Less at the middle of the northern part of the continent, lying
between 22 and 38 degrees east longitude and between 4 and 22 degrees north
latitude.
Five distinct mountain ranges and plateaus characterize
the relief of the landmass of Sudan. Among these are the mountain ranges of
the Red Sea hills in the east and the montane forest plateau of Imatong in
the south. Marra Mountain is a sprawling highland of Over 10,000 feet above
sea level in the southwest and west of Sudan. Al Meidob, a cluster of
mountains, stands in the furthest north of western state of Darfur. Finally
there are the Nuba Mountains which are located in the rich rainy savanna:
belt of southern Kordofan.
The most famous and longest stretch of river in the world is the Nile,
formed by the confluence of the White and Blue Niles in Khartoum State, from
where it flows 1,880 miles north to the Mediterranean. Its basin covers an
area of 1,100,000 sq miles, one tenth of the area of Africa.
Climate:
Sudan has different climatic regions, ranging from desert in the north, to
semi-desert, desert and savanna in the centre, and equatorial in the south.
High temperatures characterize March through June. July through October is
mild and benign whilst November through February is temperate with short,
cold, breezy spells. Cotton clothes are strongly recommended for casual wear
in Sudan.
Economy
Since over 50% of Sudan's total area constitutes farming land, the country
is very rich in agricultural resources with 90% of its exports, including
cotton and Livestock, deriving from this sector. The county has recently
started to export refined oil.
Population:
The 1995 census reflected a population of 26.6 million, giving a geographic
population density of 10 persons per sq km. Annual population growth is
2.8%. The agricultural sector employs 80% of the population.
Language:
Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken. More than 100
languages and dialects are identified.
Visas:
A foreigner intending to visit Sudan can obtain an entry visa from the
Sudanese diplomatic missions abroad. If there is no mission in his/her
country he/she can get a visa at Khartoum International Airport with a prior
arrangement with the Ministry of Interior Affairs.
Aliens:
Foreign nationals visiting the Sudan for a period exceeding three days must
take their passports to the Aliens registration office within that time
frame. This can usually be organized by your hotel's management, but if you
would rather do it yourself, the office is in Buri Garden City and you will need to
take a photocopy of your passport, two passport photographs and 4,000 Dinars
(US$ 15 approx.) with you. If you wish to travel outside Khartoum, the
necessary permits are also available at the same office.
Health Regulations:
Current vaccination certificates against yellow fever, typhoid and cholera
must be produced by foreigners upon entry. Prophylactics against malaria are
advised.
Customs:
All personal belongings are customs free, with an allowance of 200 or Less
cigarettes or 1/4 ounce of tobacco. For electrical or electronic equipment
and firearms, dues are taken for these items but if they are re-exported
within six months from the date of their entry, the duty, is refundable.
Currency:
The official local unit of a currency is the Sudanese
Pound. There is no Limit to the amount of foreign currency that can be
admitted in Sudan. Declaring amounts exceeding US$ 5000 to the authorities
at the port of entry is a must to ensures the right of the visitor to take
out any amount of foreign currency not exceeding the declared amount.
Since the prices of foreign currencies in Sudan are subject to frequent
changes, visitors are advised to be aware of these prices before coming to
Sudan. Credit cards are not acceptable in most places, except some of the
international hotels and airline offices.
Transport
To travel inside Sudan, because of its hugeness all means of transport, by
land, river, or air, is used. Traveling by land is easier nowadays because
of the construction of thousands of kilometers of highways. Also Sudan
Airways has a network of domestic flights covering a large area of Sudan.
Sudan Rail operates a network of railway lines which extend to most parts of
the country.
Various 24 hour a day limousine companies are stationed at the arrivals
terminal of Khartoum Airport and outside all the major hotels in Khartoum.
These taxis are luxurious, late model cars of various sizes. There are also
double-cab pickups, nicknamed 'Boks', which are usually prepared to travel
to towns and cities outside Khartoum, direct from the Airport terminal.
Excursions
Whether in search of education, culture or adventure, in the Sudan you will
find a wide variety of programmes for tourists which can range from one day
to two months in duration. These can be organized for you by professional
tourism agencies.
Hotels:
A wide selection of hotels is found in Sudan's major cities, from 5 stars to
2 stars. Where there is no hotel you will find motels or rest houses.
Electricity:
200 Volts (220) 50Hz
Time:
Greenwich Meantime +3 hours. |
