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|  | SUDAN COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Sudan is bordered by Egypt, the Red Sea, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Chad and Libya. Khartoum, the capital is situated at the confluence of the Blue and White Niles. Among the tourist attractions are the Omdurman camel market and the Arab souk. Particularly noteworthy is the well-organised National Museum that contains archaeological treasures dating back to 4000 BC and earlier. The main areas of archaeological interest in Sudan are to be found beside the Nile north of Khartoum. They include Bajrawiya, Naga and Meroe. The Dinder National Park, covering 6475 sq km (2500 sq miles) southeast of Khartoum on the Ethiopian border, is one of the largest in the world. There are many species of wild animals, including lion, leopard, kudu, bushbuck and antelope. The Red Sea, with the transparency of its water, the variety of its fish and the charm of its marine gardens and coral reefs, is one of Sudan's main tourist attractions. The staple diet is fool, a type of bean, and dura, cooked maize or millet, which are eaten with various vegetables. Alcohol is banned by the Islamic sharia code. Military regimes favoring Islamic-oriented governments have dominated national politics since independence from the UK in 1956. Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war for all but 10 years since then. The war is rooted in northern economic, political, and social domination of non-Muslim, non-Arab southern Sudanese. Since 1983, the war and war- and famine-related effects have resulted in more than 2 million deaths and over 4 million people displaced. The ruling regime is a mixture of military elite and an Islamist party that came to power in a 1989 coup. Some northern opposition parties have made common cause with the southern rebels and entered the war as part of an anti-government alliance. Peace talks gained momentum in 2002-03 with the signing of several accords, including a cease-fire agreement. 26 states (wilayat, singular - wilayah); A'ali an Nil (Upper Nile), Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrat (Lakes), Al Jazirah (El Gezira), Al Khartum (Khartoum), Al Qadarif (Gedaref), Al Wahdah (Unity), An Nil al Abyad (White Nile), An Nil al Azraq (Blue Nile), Ash Shamaliyah (Northern), Bahr al Jabal (Bahr al Jabal), Gharb al Istiwa'iyah (Western Equatoria), Gharb Bahr al Ghazal (Western Bahr al Ghazal), Gharb Darfur (Western Darfur), Gharb Kurdufan (Western Kordofan), Janub Darfur (Southern Darfur), Janub Kurdufan (Southern Kordofan), Junqali (Jonglei), Kassala (Kassala), Nahr an Nil (Nile), Shamal Bahr al Ghazal (Northern Bahr al Ghazal), Shamal Darfur (Northern Darfur), Shamal Kurdufan (Northern Kordofan), Sharq al Istiwa'iyah (Eastern Equatoria), Sinnar (Sinnar), Warab (Warab). Sudan has turned around a struggling economy with sound economic policies and infrastructure investments, but it still faces formidable economic problems, starting from its low level of per capita output. From 1997 to date, Sudan has been implementing IMF macroeconomic reforms. In 1999, Sudan began exporting crude oil and in the last quarter of 1999 recorded its first trade surplus, which, along with monetary policy, has stabilized the exchange rate. Increased oil production, revived light industry, and expanded export processing zones helped sustain GDP growth at 6.4% in 2004. Agriculture production remains Sudan's most important sector, employing 80% of the work force, contributing 39% of GDP, and accounting for most of GDP growth, but most farms remain rain-fed and susceptible to drought. Chronic instability - including the long-standing civil war between the Muslim north and the Christian/pagan south, adverse weather, and weak world agricultural prices - ensure that much of the population will remain at or below the poverty line for years. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| | | RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Sudan has only recently been developed as a tourist destination and communications and facilities are still limited outside Khartoum. Travel restrictions are also in force in much of the country owing to the presence of separatist insurgents. There is currently a civil war in the south of the country.
Khartoum
The capital is situated at the confluence of the Blue and White Niles. With Omdurman, the old national capital, and Khartoum North, it forms one unit called the 'three-towns capital'. Among the tourist attractions are the Omdurman camel market and the Arab souk. A good selection of Sudanese handicrafts is sold in several shops in the centre and in the reception halls of bigger hotels.
Particularly noteworthy from a historical and artistic point of view is a visit to the well-organised National Museum which contains archaeological treasures dating back to 4000 BC and earlier. A visit to the Khalifa's House Museum will reward those who are interested in Sudan's more recent history, especially the reign of the Mahdi (1881-1899).
Excursions
A visit to the Gezira model farm and a trip along the Nile to the dam at Jebel Aulia, where the Nile is especially rich in fish, are recommended. Sunset on the river is spectacular. The main areas of archaeological interest in Sudan are to be found beside the Nile north of Khartoum. They include Bajrawiya, Naga, Musawarat, El Kurru, Nuri and Meroe.
Dinder National Park
Covering 6475 sq km (2500 sq miles) southeast of Khartoum on the Ethiopian border, the Dinder National Park is one of the largest in the world. There are many species of wild animals, including lion, giraffe, leopard, kudu, bushbuck and antelope, and birds such as guinea fowl, vulture, pelican, stork, kingfisher and the beautiful crown crane. Special three-day trips from Khartoum are organised in the high season (December to April).
The Red Sea
With the transparency of its water, the variety of its fish and the charm of its marine gardens and coral reefs, the Red Sea is one of Sudan's main tourist attractions. The busy Port Sudan, Suakin, famous during the Ottoman era, and the Arous Tourist Village, 50km (30 miles) north of Port Sudan, are just three centres from which to explore the coast. Erkowit, 1200m (3930ft) above sea level, is a beautiful resort in the coastal mountains and is famed for its evergreen vegetation.
The West
Jebel Marra, at more than 3088m (10,100ft), is the highest peak in the Darfur region of western Sudan. It is a region of outstanding scenic beauty, with waterfalls and volcanic lakes and a pleasant climate, and consequently a favoured resort.
The South
The Southern Provinces are characterised by green forests, open parkland, waterfalls and treeless swamps abounding with birds and wild animals such as elephant, black and white rhino, common eland, Nile lechwe, lesser kudu, bisa oryx, zebra, crocodile, hippo, hyena, buffalo and the almost extinct shoebill. The Gemmeiza Tourist Village, situated in the heart of East Equatoria, is considered of special interest, owing to the abundance of game in that area.
Note
The people of the south are largely Christian and this has led to friction with the ruling Muslim factions in the north. Check with the Embassy before travelling if a visit to this region is intended. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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