 Sudan Basic Information's:
Sudan is located in Africa - 2,505,8I3 km (967,500 miles) - 28,098,000 people
Geographical:
Highest Mountain:
Kinyeti 3I87 m
Coast with Red Sea
Largest river:
White Nile, Blue Nile, The Nile
Access to 9 neighbor countries:
West:
Central African Republic - Chad
North:
Libya - Egypt
East:
Red Sea - Eritrea - Ethiopia
South:
Zaire/Dem Rep of Congo - Kenya Uganda
In dependant:
In dependant since I956 from Egypt and Great Britain
In dependant day: 1 Jan 1956
Local Time: +2 GMT
Capital: Khartoum
languages: Arabic
currency: 1 Sudan Dinard = 100 Piaster
Political:
President: General Omar Hassan Ahmed ElBachir
since 1989
Land boundaries: 7,687 km
Central African Republic I,I65 km, Chad I,360 km, Zaire/Dem Rep of Congo 628 km,
Egypt I,273 km, Eritrea 605 km, Ethiopia I,606 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km
Coastline: 853 kmClimate:
Hot rainy summer (April - October) and warm dry winter (November - March). The Red Sea has hot dry summer (May - September) and warm rainy winter (September - May).
Language:
The official Language is Arabic of which there are considerable local dialect variations. English is the second language.
Religion: The majority is of Islamic faith; there are also Christians and Pagans.
Miscellaneous:
Local time: GMT + 2 hours.
Weekly closing day: Friday.
Working Hours: Banks 08:00 am – 01:30 PM.
Government offices 07:30 am – 14:30 PM.
Electricity: 240/415 volts.
How to dress: light clothes, preferably cotton.
What to Eat:
There are European dishes, together with oriental dishes. Sudanese dishes are served in small restaurants usually consists of beans and meat.
What to Buy:
An excellent selection of worked ebony, silver and copper, gold, belts, handbags, wallets, articles made of feathers, ceramics and other items are to be found at the Sudanese Handcraft Market in Omdurman as well as in the Bazaars in the Three Capital.Currency:
The official monetary unit is the Sudanese Dinnar and the Sudanese Pound. The Sudanese Dinnar equals ten Sudanese Pounds. Visitors may bring in an unlimited amount of foreign currency providing declaration of such currency is made to customs on arrival. Exchange of currency should be only through banks.Tourism in Sudan:
History
The history of the Sudan extends back to ancient times, further back than 4000 BC
The strong Sudan Kingdom of Napta drove away the Egyptians and under the rule of Banankhi they occupied Egypt in the 7th century BC, Sudan became Christian in the 6th century and in the 14th century Islam prevailed and the Funj Kingdom was formed. The Turks of Egypt, under the rule of Mohamed Ali Basha, occupied the Sudan in 1821.
Mohamed Ahmed El Mahdi, the great Islamic reformer, led the revolution against the corrupt Turks in the late 19th century, but the Egyptians and the British reoccupied the Sudan in 1898. Finally the Sudan retrieved its independence in 1956.
THE LAND OF THE TWO NILES:
The F. Republic of the Sudan is regarded as the largest state in Africa, covering an area of about one million square miles. It shares borders with Egypt and Libya to the North, Ethiopia, Eritrea, The Red Sea to the East, Kenya, Uganda, Zaire to the South, the Central African Republic and Chad to the West. The Nile, the longest river in the world (6,671) KM. More than 4000 miles runs through the country from South to North giving life to millions of people.
Khartoum City
Khartoum, which is situated at the confluence of the Blue, and the White Niles is the capital and seat of the Government, with Omdurman "the national capital" across the White Nile and Khartoum North across the Blue Nile. It forms one unit called The Three Towns Capital. The capital is an amalgamation of many interesting places such as: the confluence of the two Niles, the Sudan national museum, the tomb of the Mahdi, the mosque and the house of the Khalifa, the Karari battle field, the handcraft center, the camel market, the Dervish center in Hamad El-Nil and the Nuba Wrestling at Hamad El-Nil.
Jebel Barkal: The Sacred Mountain
rocky mass of Jebel Barkal rises from the plain about 1.5 miles from Karima. In ancient times it was a holy mountain the abode of God Amon. At the foot of the mountain are scattered the ruins of the temples dedicated at various to the worship of God. The remains of about a dozen buildings may now be seen through little remains of their former splendor.Nagaa:
The most perfect ruins are the Sudan is at Nagaa, about 2,4 miles from Wad Ban Nagaa and 35 miles from Shendi. There, Besides numerous mounds are the remains of several temples, the last preserved of which is a small square Kiosk built in the Roman style of the 2nd. Or 3rd. Century AD Close by is a small temple consisting of a pylon with a single chamber behind and the remains of a portico in front. On the southern pylon tower appears King Netek Aman and on the northern Queen Amanteri, who ruled at Meroe from 15 BC to 15 AD, is shown, each accompanied by a lion, smiting groups of captives.
The walls of the chamber are covered with relief's showing various Gods and Goddesses, but the temple appears to have been principally dedicated to the Lion God Apezemak and is subsequently known as the Lion Temple. There are also the remains of a large temple dedicated to Amon.
Musawarat El Safra:
Ten miles of Wad Ben Nagaa lies the ruins of Musawarat El Safra picturesquely situated in a basin like valley. There are low enclosure walls, which appear to have, been built as pens for flocks and herds. A central building on a raised platform with little towers at the corners and a colonnade in front might be the King's principal divan, and the building connected with it by long covered passages and flights of steps would probably be harem quarters.
Ancient Maroe Area:
Around Begarawiya and Shendi: Meroe (Begarawiya) the area is a strong hold of temples and palaces, although much ruined, representing the Meroitic period (200 BC - 200 AD). Pyramid field of middle and late Meroitic (200 BC to 380 AD) is a remarkable sight.
Significant Wild Species:
Dinder National ParkThe Dinder National Park is a homeland of the Savannah mammal's birds and vegetation's. Among the herbivores founded in the park are Reed buck, Bush buck, Water buck, Greater Kudu, Buffalo's, Warthog. Roanentelope, Porcupine, etc. carnivore's are Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Striped Hyena, wild dog, jacles, several cat, cheetah, lion... etc.
The Red Sea:
The crystal sea is one of the richest in water life, coral reefs and adversity of marine life rarely founded in one location. The coastal line of the Red Sea bordering the Sudan is 750 km. and is characterized as the ideal sea for snorkel's, divers and under water photographers. It is comfortably warm and visibility is better than in most places. The best time suitable for all activities in the Red Sea is from September to May.
Suakin:
The old walled city in which various civilization met and reconciled was described by the famous traveler Dr. Wulhelm Junker in 1875 as (a very daughter of the Red Sea surrounded by marine waters. The houses are the products of the deep being built of the Caroline limestone fished up from the bottom of the Sea.).PEOPLE AND CULTURE:
The Sudan is a living book in which the whole story of Africans and Arabs is concentrated. It is the focal point where these cultures are closely.
Climate:
The Sudan has a variety of climate regions, ranging from the desert in the North to the equatorial forests in the South. The Red Sea introduces certain maritime characteristics but these are confined to the narrow coastal plain and the Eastern slopes of the Red Sea hills.
Wild Life:
According to the climatic regions in the Sudan, different species of mammals, birds, vegetation's, reptiles are represented in the different national parks in the country.
Among these national parks is the famous Dinder National Park located at the Southern part of Sinnar State.
Nimole and Southern NP is in the South, Radoum National Park in the Western part of the Sudan. Sanganeib, a marine National park of the Red Sea is a true treasure of water body life.
RESORT AREAS:
for holiday makers Sudan offers
Arkawit:
Summer and winter resort area known commonly as the evergreen paradise. Arkawit is located on a high plateau some 205 km. South West Port Sudan. It is a well developed Summer and Winter resort area sitting on a mountainous region of unspoiled grandeur with an altitude of 1200m. Above sea level.
Jebel Marra:
In Western Darfur State. Marra mountain is 3300 m. The second highest in the country, with water falls, volcanic lakes and an outstanding scenic beauty.
Arusa:
A tourist village 50 km. North Port Sudan. It is an alternative diving center equipped with all accommodation facilities.Museums and Historical Places:
Khartoum:
Sudan National Museum:
It is an impressive modern building definitely a must on a Khartoum visit. It’s houses, temples, tombs, inscriptions, frescoes, and antiquities from Sudanese Nubia, in the Northern Sudan which when threatened with flooding with the construction of the Aswan dam, were removed to Khartoum. Artifacts on display in the museum include Egyptian and Nubian objects of antiquity like amulets, statues, scarabs, bronze cut throat razors, faience, a luggage label made of wood and the earliest fragment yet found any where of a pile rug.
The Natural History Museum:
It is distinguished for it's hundreds of species of Sudanese bird life of particular interest too, is evidence of a tropical period in Khartoum's history several thousands years ago.
Ethnographical Museum:
Established in 1932.Gives an idea of country life, economy of the people... etc.
Graphic Museum:
A health education center, which comprises models and patterns of infectious diseases in the Sudan and a photographic display.
Omdurman:
The Khlifa's House and the Tomb of the Mahdi:
Established in 1931. House and relies from the Mahdia period. The building itself is interesting, built at the same time as the Mahdi's tomb next door.
Hamad El Nil:
Islam is the dominant religion and has adherents among almost all the ethnic groups in the Sudan. Moreover, the Soufi order was and stills a driving force for extending Islam. The Tomb of Sheikh Hamad El Nil, in Omdurman is an exciting destination where our visitor can enjoy the spiritual performance of the Soufies.Northern Sudan:
Maroe Museum:
Established in the twenties. Houses the best archeological pieces in the collection, plus a small display of ethnographical materials.
Wadi Halfa:
Wadi Halfa Museum:
Established in 1927. Houses a display of archeological and ethnographical materials.
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