My cluster countries : episode 8- Sudan

I had the chance to visit Sudan and I enjoyed a lot the diversification in the cultures as well as the food and the scenery. I can say that Sudan triggered my curiosity and showed me a lot of African and Tribal flairs I was not familiar with... The language help me understand and appreciate the uniqueness of this country. Let me take you to a quick country introduction tour....

• Sudan is located in northeastern Africa. The name Sudan?derives from the Arabic expression bilād al-sūdān (“land of the blacks”), by which medieval Arab geographers referred to the settled African countries that began at the southern edge of the Sahara. (https://www.britannica.com/place/Sudan )
• Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, is located roughly in the centre of the country, at the junction of the Blue Nile and White Nile rivers. It is part of the largest urban area in Sudan and is a centre of commerce as well as of government.(https://www.britannica.com/place/Sudan )
• Large areas of Sudan’s natural vegetation have disappeared because of the effects of centuries of cultivation and because of grass fires that annually may sweep across more than half the country. Further dangers to plant life are the effects of overstocking, soil erosion, the lowering of the water table, and the advance of the desert from the north. (https://www.britannica.com/place/Sudan )
• Sudan has several protected nature areas, including game reserves and national parks. Dinder National Park, located in the southeast, and Radom National Park, in the southwest, have been designated as UNESCO biosphere reserves. ( https://www.britannica.com/place/Sudan )
• Even after the secession of the south in 2011, Sudan’s population still exhibited a diverse profile. The Sudanese people boast several major ethnic groups and hundreds of subgroups, and they speak numerous languages and dialects. ( https://www.britannica.com/place/Sudan )
• There are many languages spoken in Sudan. Arabic is the primary language of much of the population and is the most common medium for the conduct of government, commerce, and urban life throughout the country. Both Arabic and English are official working languages of the country
• While Egypt gets noticed for its pyramids, Sudan is known as the place with the world's largest collection of pyramids. There are over 200 recorded pyramids in the country. ( https://www.iol.co.za/travel/5-facts-about-sudan-you-should-know-12252257 )
• Sudan experiences tropical weather in the south, while the north is filled with desert conditions. (https://www.iol.co.za/travel/5-facts-about-sudan-you-should-know-12252257 )
• To understand Sudanese culture, it is important to have a general knowledge of Sudan's political history and how events of the past century have affected the country. North Sudan and South Sudan were once ruled as a single country under a joint colonial relationship between the United Kingdom and Egypt. This period of colonial rule forced the population to see themselves as a unified nation, whereas previously people had been living in self-governing tribes. (https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/north-sudanese-culture/north-sudanese-culture-core-concepts )
• Core Concepts: Modesty, Dignity (karama), Honour (sharaf), Duty (al-wajib), Hospitality, Generosity (karim), Humility (tawadae), Stoicism/Fatalism (https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/north-sudanese-culture/north-sudanese-culture-core-concepts )
• The currency in Sudan is the Sudanese Pound (SDG); 1 Pound is divided into 100 Piaster, 1 US Dollar = 456.50 Pound (https://www.worlddata.info/africa/sudan/index.php )
• Economy in Sudan (https://www.worlddata.info/africa/sudan/index.php ) :
• GDP:????2.02 bn $
• Exportations:???5,065.4 M $
• Importations:???10,519.6 M $
• Tourism receipts:???????????1.04 bn $
• Unemployment rate:?????19.8 %
• Inflation rate:???150.32 %
• corruption index:???????????20 (very bad)
• Energy consumption:????12.1 bn kWh

• Food in Sudan (https://trip101.com/article/traditional-food-in-sudan ) :

One can find central Sudan to be the most diversified and colorful in its cuisine. Apart from their basics, they also let distinctive cuisines to flourish…The Syrian and Arab traders brought Mediterranean influence in the Sudanese food during the rule of Turkish emperors. Their major contribution was to bring red pepper and spices like garlic, pepper and many more. They also brought some famous recipes of meatballs and pastries along with innumerable vegetables and fruits, which the Sudanese people didn’t even know about…The food you find in the north is different from the southern variety. This is due to the cross-cultural influence throughout its past. If you take interest in the country, and visit, you must start with their culinary delights

• ?Tourism in Sudan

Tourism in Sudan is a minor contributor to the country's economy. As of 2019, travel and tourism contributed about 2.4% of Sudan's gross domestic product (GDP). Sudan is infrequently visited compared to other African countries, and long-running internal conflict has damaged the country's tourism industry. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Sudan )

Today the country ranks second on the fragile states index, and most all foreign offices recommend against all travel there. Perhaps one day that will all be over though. Perhaps one day we can once again look forward to donning the desert gear and delving into the shifting sands of ancient Kush and Nubia. Perhaps one day the burgeoning Red Sea dive scene in the west can reveal the sparkling corals and ocean treasures, and the Twirling Dervishes of Khartoum can showcase their cylindrical gyrations for all to see. (https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-sudan/ )

I will see you soon with my last country cluster in North East Africa and Levant... Stay tuned!