South Sudan
country in East Africa
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World Factbook
CIA reference data · 4 sections
Geography
Location
East-Central Africa; south of Sudan, north of Uganda and Kenya, west of Ethiopia
Climate
hot with seasonal rainfall influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone; rainfall heaviest in upland areas of the south and diminishes to the north
Terrain
plains in the north and center rise to southern highlands along the border with Uganda and Kenya; the White Nile, flowing north out of the uplands of Central Africa, is the major geographic feature of the country; The Sudd (a name derived from floating vegetation that hinders navigation) is a large swampy area of more than 100,000 sq km fed by the waters of the White Nile that dominates the center of the country
Natural resources
hydropower, fertile agricultural land, gold, diamonds, petroleum, hardwoods, limestone, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver
People & Society
Religions
Christian 60.5%, folk religion 32.9%, Muslim 6.2%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Independence
9 July 2011 (from Sudan)
National holiday
Independence Day, 9 July (2011)
Economy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$6.752 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$400 (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
-5.2% (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
91.4% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
12.5% (2023 est.)
Exports - partners
China 51%, Singapore 29%, UAE 10%, Germany 4%, Uganda 3% (2023)
Imports - partners
Uganda 33%, UAE 26%, Kenya 14%, China 10%, USA 3% (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook · public domain (US gov work, 17 USC §105) · fetched 2026-05-06
Summary
South Sudan is a sovereign state[1]. It draws 66,652 Wikipedia views per month (sovereign state category, ranking #112 of 197).[2]
Key Facts
- Member of: United Nations[3], African Union[4], International Bank for Reconstruction and Development[5]
- Country: South Sudan[6]
- Head of government: Salva Kiir Mayardit[7]
- Continent: Africa[8]
- Instance of: landlocked country[9], country[10]
- Head of state: Salva Kiir Mayardit[11]
- Capital: Juba[12]
- Official language: English[13]
- Currency: South Sudanese pound[14]
- Shares border with: Sudan[15], Ethiopia[16], Kenya[17], Uganda[18], Democratic Republic of the Congo[19], Central African Republic[20], League of Arab States[21]
- Top-level Internet domain: .ss[22]
- Anthem: South Sudan Oyee![23]
- Basic form of government: federal republic[24]
- Contains the administrative territorial entity: Jonglei[25], Aweil State[26], Aweil East State[27], Eastern Lakes State[28], Gogrial State[29], Gok State[30], Lol State[31], Tonj State[32], Twic[33], Wau State[34], Western Lakes State[35], Amadi State[36], Gbudwe State[37], Imatong State[38]
- Flag: flag of South Sudan[39]
- Legislative body: National Legislature of South Sudan[40]
- Coat of arms: Emblem of South Sudan[41]
- Part of: Africa[42]
- Commons category: South Sudan[43]
- Located in time zone: UTC+02:00[44], Africa/Juba[45]
- Foundational text: Constitution of Southern Sudan[46]
Why It Matters
South Sudan has Wikipedia articles in 30 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[47] It is known by 64 alternative names across languages and contexts.[48]