 FACTS & FIGURES |
Official name: Republic of the Sudan
Area: 2 506 000 sq km
Population: approximately 29 million inhabitants
Religion: Muslims 85 %, Christians 5 %, Animists 10%
Language: Arab is the official language and predominant everywhere in the country. In the business circles English is used especially when dealing with foreigners, but it becomes more rare more one goes to the rural areas. Additionally, there are hundreds of dialects spoken among the tribes.
Capital: Khartoum
Neighbouring countries: Egypt, Libya, Uganda, Kenya, Eritrea and Ethiopia, Central-Africa, Republic of Congo and Chad
Climate: Sudan is located between two zones: desert in the North and tropical in the South. Annual water fall per year is between 750-1500 mm.
Independence Day: 1.1. 1956
Currency: Sudanese Dinnar (1 usd = 257 Sudanese Dinnar in summer 2001)
GMT time: +2 hours
| POLITICAL SYSTEM |
Sudan is a republic ruled by the president Omar Hassan Ahmed El-Bashir, who became the head of the state in June 1989 and became officially elected as a president in April 1996. He was re-elected for the second five-year period in December 2000.
National Assembly is composed of 400 members, and it is a legislative body.
Administration of the country is based on federalism. There are 26 states that compose the Sudan, and each one of them has their governor "wali", government and the legislative body.
| WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE ARRIVING IN SUDAN? |
Sudanese people are extremely friendly, so take with you the best moods and spirits you have. Take some little presents for families and children, as they will give you so much even if they might not have a lot and they do not know you well.
| Be open-minded, do not base your ideas and attitudes too much on what you have read on international media, as much of it as you will notice is out-dated and biased. Sudan and especially Khartoum is one of the most safe African cities and it is safe to take taxis or walk alone, even for women, though general caution is always good, as everywhere.
Islamic sharia law needs to be taken seriously and with respect. Do not bring alcohol to the country, and dress with modesty. Women are not recommended to wear short skirts, and long skirts are more appropriate than even trousers. Wear a scarf if you go to cultural and religious events, or ministries. Moreover, take sharia as an experience, not as a restriction, and it will show you a lot of fascinating aspects of its beliefs and ideas if you are curios and open-minded enough.
Photography permits are recommended. They can be obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, with an exception that journalists should obtain them at the External Information Council.
The working days are from Saturday until Thursday, Friday being off. Sometimes Saturday is off too, especially in cases of some embassies and foreign companies. Usually banks close (the cashier) at midday, and offices and ministries at 2 p.m.
Credit cards are not widely accepted, with exceptions at international hotels. Travellers cheques can cause problems too, bring all the purchase documents with you.
Visas are required and can be obtained at Sudanese Embassies in their respective countries. All foreigners are requested to register at the alien office within three days of arrival.
Airport tax 20 USD needs to be paid in dollars when departing, with an exception of transit passengers and children under two.
Vaccination such as yellow fever and hepatis are recommended, as well as other usual vaccinations needed in Africa. Malaria is endemic especially during the rainy season (July and August). |
