Discover Fascinating South Sudan Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about South Sudan.

South Sudan

Background

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ South Sudan is a fascinating country! It became the world's newest nation when it gained independence from Sudan in 2011. Can you believe that it has only been around for a little over a decade? ๐ŸŒ The journey to independence was sparked back in 1956 when Sudan itself became independent, and the southerners were promised a fair role in politics. However, the promises made by the Arab government in Khartoum were not kept, leading to a long and complicated struggle for the people of South Sudan.

Since its independence, South Sudan has faced many challenges. ๐Ÿ˜” There have been issues with forming a strong government, and the country has experienced widespread corruption and political conflict. Not to mention, there are communal violence problems too! The peace agreement that was made in 2018 to help stabilize the country has hit roadblocks as leaders fight over how to share power. Itโ€™s a tough situation for this young nation as it tries to find its way! ๐Ÿšง

Year of Independence from Sudan

2011

Year Sudan attained independence

1956

Year of the peace agreement

2018

Capital

๐Ÿ›๏ธ The capital of South Sudan is Juba! It's the largest city in the country and serves as its administrative hub. Juba is situated on the banks of the Nile River, making it a vital geographic and cultural center for the nation. ๐ŸŒ

Climate

South Sudan has a hot climate with seasonal rainfall! โ˜€๏ธ The rain is mostly influenced by the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. ๐ŸŒง๏ธ Heavy rainfall occurs in the upland areas of the south, while the rainfall decreases as you go north. This means the southern regions get a lot of water during the rainy season, which is super important for farming and nature! ๐ŸŒฑ

Executive branch

๐ŸŒŸ Leadership in South Sudan! ๐ŸŒŸ
In the heart of South Sudan's government, we find President Salva KIIR Mayardit serving as both the chief of state and head of government. He has held these significant roles since 9 July 2011, marking an important era in the countryโ€™s leadership! ๐Ÿš€
His leadership is crucial for guiding South Sudan in its journey through challenges and opportunities. ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ

Chief of State

President Salva KIIR Mayardit

Head of Government

President Salva KIIR Mayardit

Duration of Leadership

Since 9 July 2011

Legislative branch

In South Sudan, the legislative branch is represented by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, which consists of 550 seats! ๐ŸŽ‰ This assembly plays a crucial role in the governance and legislative processes of the nation. ๐Ÿ“œโœจ

Total seats in Legislative Assembly

550

Natural resources

๐ŸŒ Natural Wealth of South Sudan ๐ŸŒ

South Sudan is blessed with a variety of natural resources! Hereโ€™s a fun overview of what this beautiful country offers:

  • Hydropower: A renewable energy source crucial for electricity! โšก
  • Fertile Agricultural Land: Perfect for farming and growing food! ๐ŸŒพ
  • Gold: A precious metal that shines bright! ๐Ÿ’ฐ
  • Diamonds: Sparkling treasures from the earth! ๐Ÿ’Ž
  • Petroleum: Essential for fuel and energy! โ›ฝ
  • Hardwoods: Strong and durable timber for construction! ๐ŸŒณ
  • Limestone: Used for making cement and building! ๐Ÿ—๏ธ
  • Iron Ore: A key ingredient for producing steel! ๐Ÿ”ฉ
  • Copper and Zinc: Important metals for electrical components! ๐Ÿ”‹
  • Chromium Ore: Used for making stainless steel! ๐Ÿฅ„
  • Tungsten: Known for its extremely high melting point! ๐Ÿ”ฅ
  • Mica: A mineral that adds sparkle to products! โœจ
  • Silver: Another shiny metal used in jewelry and electronics! ๐ŸŽจ

South Sudan has an abundance of minerals and land that can support agriculture and industry, which is truly exciting! ๐Ÿš€

Types of Natural Resources

13

Economic overview

South Sudan's Economic Journey ๐ŸŒ

South Sudan is classified as a low-income, oil-based economy that faces numerous challenges. The country struggles with extreme poverty and food insecurity that affect many of its citizens. Unfortunately, the impacts of COVID-19 and ongoing violence continue to threaten the country's socioeconomic potential.

Moreover, South Sudan is characterized as being environmentally fragile, which means it has delicate ecosystems that can be easily harmed. The country also grapples with ongoing land and property rights issues that complicate its development.

Even though South Sudan is rich in natural resources, it lacks adequate infrastructure to support its economy. This means that despite having valuable assets, the country struggles to transport and utilize these resources effectively. It's a complex situation that needs attention! ๐Ÿ’ก

Economic Classification

Low-income, oil-based

Poverty Status

Extreme poverty

Food Security Issue

Food insecurity

Environmental Condition

Environmentally fragile

Infrastructure Status

Lacks infrastructure

Government type

๐ŸŽ‰ South Sudan has a presidential republic! In this type of government, the president is not just a symbol; they play a big role in running the country. This means that the president makes important decisions and can impact the lives of many people in South Sudan every day. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ

Government Type

Presidential Republic

Ethnic groups

In South Sudan, the ethnic tapestry is vibrant and diverse! ๐ŸŒโœจ The major ethnic groups include the Dinka, who make up approximately 35-40% of the population. The Nuer follow with approximately 15%. But that's just the tip of the iceberg! Other ethnic groups include the Shilluk, Azande, Bari, Kakwa, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona, Acholi, and Baka. Each group contributes to the cultural richness and heritage of South Sudan! ๐ŸŽ‰

Dinka Percentage Range

35-40%

Nuer Percentage

15%

Ethnic Composition of South Sudan

Religions

In South Sudan, the religious landscape is vibrant and diverse! ๐ŸŒ Here's a peek at the beliefs of the people:

  • Christianity is the most widely practiced religion, comprising 60.5% of the population. โœ๏ธ
  • Following closely is folk religion, with 32.9% of South Sudanese identifying with these traditional beliefs. ๐ŸŒพ
  • Islam is present in 6.2% of the population. โ˜ช๏ธ
  • There are also others and unaffiliated groups, each making up less than 1%. ๐Ÿค”

Together, these figures paint a beautiful tapestry of cultural and spiritual life in South Sudan!

Percentage of Christians

60.5%

Percentage of Folk Religion adherents

32.9%

Percentage of Muslims

6.2%

Percentage of Other Religions

<1%

Percentage of Unaffiliated

<1%

Religions in South Sudan (2020 est.)

Languages

In South Sudan, communication dances on the tongues of many! ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฉ The country recognizes English as its official language, which is a cool choice for a nation on the rise! ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ But that's not all! Two forms of Arabic are also spoken: Juba Arabic and Sudanese Arabic.

Along with these, there are vibrant ethnic languages that tell the diverse stories of South Sudan's people. Some of the main ones are:

  • Dinka
  • Nuer
  • Bari
  • Zande
  • Shilluk

Isn't it amazing how many ways there are to express thoughts and feelings? ๐Ÿ˜„ Each language adds color to the cultural landscape, making South Sudan a unique place! ๐ŸŒ

Official Language

English

Varieties of Arabic

2 (Juba and Sudanese)

Ethnic Languages

5 (Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk)

Imports - partners

๐ŸŒ Let's explore the world of South Sudan's imports! In 2022, South Sudan sourced its goods from various partners around the globe. Hereโ€™s how it breaks down:

  • UAE: 39%
  • Kenya: 18%
  • China: 17%
  • US: 4%
  • India: 3%

๐Ÿ” The United Arab Emirates leads the way with a whopping 39% share! Kenya and China follow as strong partners. The US and India, while making contributions, have smaller shares. Isnโ€™t it interesting to see how much these countries help South Sudan with what it needs?

Total Percentage of Top Partners

81%

Country with Highest Import Share

UAE

Country with Lowest Import Share

India

South Sudan's Import Partners (2022)

Imports - commodities

In 2022, South Sudan had some interesting imports! ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Let's break down what they brought into the country:

  • Garments: South Sudan loves fashion!
  • Cars: Vroom vroom, new rides for everyone! ๐Ÿš—
  • Trucks: Heavy-duty vehicles to get the job done! ๐Ÿšš
  • Packaged medicine: Health is wealth, and South Sudan is taking care of it! ๐Ÿ’Š
  • Malt extract: Perfect for brewing some delicious beverages! ๐Ÿบ

These items show the diverse needs and desires of the South Sudanese people as the country continues to develop and grow!

Exports - partners

South Sudan's exports are quite the global affair! ๐ŸŒ In 2022, five key partners contributed significantly to the country's export market. Here's how it breaks down:

  • China takes the lead with a whopping 44% of South Sudan's exports! ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • Coming in second is Italy with 26%! ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น
  • Singapore holds 12% of exports, showing its emerging influence! ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ
  • Japan accounts for 9%, adding to the diverse trading landscape! ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
  • Lastly, the UAE wraps it up with 8%! ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช

These stats reflect how interconnected South Sudan is with the world through trade! ๐Ÿ“ˆ๐Ÿ‘Œ

Total exports partners

5

Exports Partners of South Sudan (2022)

Exports - commodities

South Sudan is rich in valuable resources that contribute to its economy! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿš€ The top exports from this nation include:

  • Crude petroleum - A major source of revenue for South Sudan.
  • Refined petroleum - Processed petroleum that adds even more value to their natural resources.
  • Gold - A shiny treasure that brings wealth! ๐Ÿ’ฐ
  • Forage crops - Essential for feeding livestock.
  • Barley - A crucial grain used in various food products.

These commodities play a significant role in the country's trade and economic development!

Top Export Commodities

Crude petroleum, Refined petroleum, Gold, Forage crops, Barley

Population

๐ŸŒ Did you know that South Sudan has a total population of 12,703,714 people? That's a lot of hearts and dreams working together in this beautiful country! It's important to keep track of people because each one contributes to the rich culture and vibrant communities. Let's celebrate this amazing population! ๐ŸŽ‰

Total Population

12,703,714

Area

Land of South Sudan: It's Huge! ๐ŸŒ

Did you know that South Sudan covers a massive total area of 644,329 square kilometers? That's a lot of land! Just imagine all the amazing places and natural beauty that can be found in such a vast region. From rivers to forests, South Sudan is filled with diverse landscapes just waiting to be explored!

๐Ÿ‘€ Quick Fact: South Sudan is the world's youngest country, having gained independence in 2011. Its large area means there are plenty of opportunities for exploration and adventure!

Total Area of South Sudan

644329 sq km

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐ŸŒ Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) in South Sudan ๐ŸŒ

Let's dive into how South Sudan's economy has been performing! Here are the estimated values of South Sudan's Real GDP (PPP) over the past few years:

  • 2015: $24.52 billion
  • 2016: $21.1 billion
  • 2017: $20.01 billion

You can see that in 2015, the economy was at its peak, but then it started to decline in the following years. ๐Ÿ“‰

This information is crucial for understanding the economic health of South Sudan and helps in making informed decisions about investments and policies! ๐Ÿ’ผ๐Ÿ’ธ

Estimated Real GDP in 2015

24.52 billion USD

Estimated Real GDP in 2016

21.1 billion USD

Estimated Real GDP in 2017

20.01 billion USD

South Sudan Real GDP (PPP) Over Time

Real GDP per capita

๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ฐ Let's explore how South Sudan's economy has changed over the years! The Real GDP per capita gives us an idea of how much money, on average, each person in the country has to spend. Here's what we found:

  • In 2015, the Real GDP per capita was $2,100.
  • In 2016, it decreased a bit to $1,700.
  • By 2017, it went down further to $1,600.

As we can see, the GDP per capita has been declining. Let's visualize this trend to understand the changes better! ๐Ÿ“‰

GDP per Capita in 2015

2100

GDP per Capita in 2016

1700

GDP per Capita in 2017

1600

Real GDP per Capita in South Sudan (2015-2017)

Imports

South Sudan's imports tell an interesting story about its economy! ๐Ÿ“Š In 2022, the country imported a whopping $6.402 billion worth of goods! Thatโ€™s a big jump from $4.037 billion in 2021 and $4.245 billion in 2020. Let's explore how these values have changed over time!

Total imports in 2022

$6.402 billion

Total imports in 2021

$4.037 billion

Total imports in 2020

$4.245 billion

South Sudan Imports Over the Years

Exports

South Sudan has been making strides in its export landscape! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ฐ Here are some fascinating figures for the past three years:

  • In 2020, South Sudan's exports were estimated at $2.344 billion.
  • By 2021, this number grew to $4.652 billion!
  • Fast forward to 2022, and exports reached an impressive $5.811 billion!

This growth is a clear reflection of the country's evolving economy and trade activities. ๐Ÿ“ˆ Let's visualize this exciting upward trend!

Exports in 2020

2.344 billion

Exports in 2021

4.652 billion

Exports in 2022

5.811 billion

Exports of South Sudan Over Three Years

Population growth rate

๐ŸŒ Did you know that South Sudan has a population growth rate of 4.65% estimated for 2024? That means the number of people living there is getting bigger and bigger each year! ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฉ With such a growth rate, South Sudan is one of the fastest-growing countries in the world! Let's keep an eye on how this affects the community and resources! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Population Growth Rate for 2024

4.65%