Salam! Welcome to the Land of the Two Niles—Sudan!
A country located in Northeast Africa where the Blue and White Niles meet to form the world’s longest river. There are around 49,000,000 people living here, and the capital is Khartoum, a historic city situated exactly at the “confluence” of the two great rivers. The official languages are Arabic and English, reflecting its position as a bridge between the Arab world and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Sudan covers about 1,861,484 square kilometers (718,723 square miles). The country is roughly the same size as the state of Alaska in the U.S., or about three times the size of France. It was once the largest country in Africa before the south became independent, but it remains a vast land of deserts, fertile river valleys, and Red Sea coastlines.
The most popular sport is Football, which is played in every neighborhood from the capital to the smallest villages. Their national animal is the Secretary Bird, a majestic bird of prey that appears on the national emblem.
The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of red, white, and black with a green triangle at the hoist, where the red symbolizes the struggle for independence, the white stands for peace and light, the black represents the nation itself, and the green signifies Islam and agricultural prosperity.
The food is rich, hearty, and meant to be shared. You must try Ful Medames, a dish of slow-cooked fava beans flavored with garlic, lemon, and oil, usually eaten for breakfast with fresh bread. Another favorite is Gorrasa, a thick, doughy pancake topped with savory meat stews. For a refreshing drink, locals love Karkadeh, a bright red tea made from hibiscus flowers that can be served hot or ice-cold.
Sudan is home to the Pyramids of Meroë, an incredible collection of over 200 ancient pyramids that once served as the capital of the Kingdom of Kush. The country features the Confluence of the Niles in Khartoum, where you can clearly see the distinct colors of the Blue and White Niles merging into one. You can visit Jebel Barkal, a small mountain that was considered sacred by both the ancient Egyptians and the Kushites. Interestingly, Sudan actually has more pyramids than Egypt, although they are smaller and steeper than their famous neighbors to the north!
From the bustling souqs of Omdurman to the clear diving waters of the Red Sea, Sudan is a land of ancient kingdoms and legendary hospitality. Shukran! That means “Thank you!”