Sudan is located in north-eastern Africa, it boarders the Red Sea and is between Egypt and Eritrea. It is about one fifth of the size of the United States of America and is a pretty flat region, with dull plains and desert to the north.

Fact 1:    Sudan natural resources are petroleum, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, gold and silver. The environmental issues the country faces is poor supply of drinkable water, the wildlife population is threatened because of too much hunting, soil erosion, desertification, and recurring drought.

Fact 2:    Sudan has had refugee invasions from other countries, mostly Ethiopia, Eritrea, Chad, Central African Republic, and South Sudan. The armed disputes, poor roads, and government denial has hindered the terms of provision of humanitarian aid to the affected areas.

Fact 3:    Sudan is a very poor country it has experienced prolonged social differences, civil war, and, then the loss of three-quarters of its oil production because of the secession of South Sudan in 2011. The oil area was the reason Sudan’s GDP grew since 1999 and for almost a decade, the economy increased on the back of rising oil production, high prices, and large inflows of foreign direct speculations. Since the secession of South Sudan, the country has struggled to balance its economy and make up for the lost earnings. Sudan is trying to develop non-oil royalties, like gold mining, and continue a sternness program to reduce expenditures.

Fact 4:    Sudan is a source, passage, and destination country for men, women, and children that are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking. Sudanese women and girls that are from country areas who are purposely relocated are at risk of forced labor as domestic workers in homes throughout the country. These women and girls are at risk of being domestic servants in Middle Eastern countries and may be forced into sex trafficking in Europe. Sudan is a place to find and transit Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Filipina women that are at risk of becoming domestic servants in Sudan and Middle Eastern countries, it is also a place to find women who have sex trafficked from East African countries and Thailand.

Fact 5:    Sudan is Africa’s largest country; it is dominated by the Nile and its branches, and has mountains along the Red Sea coast. Sudan means “land of the blacks,” in Arabic.

Fact 6:    Peace talks finally resulted in a Comprehensive Peace Agreement; it was signed in January 2005. The agreement stated the south was given a six-year period of independence and would be followed by a referendum on the final situation of the country. On January 2011, a vote was held and 98 percent were in favor of secession. The countries independence was given to them on July 9, 2011.

Fact 7:    In Sudan they have a very formal way of greeting each other; they expect foreigners to respond in a similar way. The host usually inquires about the visitors, his family, his health and his well being and then they will begin to discuss business if that is the reason for the visit. It is not impolite for a visitor to interrupt a conversation to finish his business and then leave, the conversation then begins where it left off. Sudan is a male oriented society and it is not acceptable to ask about a Sudanese man’s wife.

Fact 8:    When two men meet each other they shake hands and then tap shoulders at the same time and when Sudanese women meet they hug and rub their cheeks together.

Fact 9:    When visiting a Sudanese home for business or social reasons, a drink is always offered to the visitor as well as refreshments like potato chips or candy. If a westerner visits a Sudanese home, he will be greeted with cakes, drinks and other refreshments.

Fact 10:    A Sudanese wedding is a great festival that can last for days, the highlight of the ceremony is the bridal dancing, and the dancing can last until the early hours of the morning.