# South Sudan

> country in East Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q958](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q958)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Sudan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/south-sudan

## Summary
South Sudan is a landlocked sovereign state and federal republic located in East Africa. It is the world's newest country, having gained independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, with Juba as its capital. As of 2017, the country had a population of approximately 12,575,714 and is characterized by its diverse linguistic landscape with English as the official language.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: Republic of South Sudan (جمهورية جنوب السودان).
- **Independence Date**: July 9, 2011 (separated from Sudan).
- **Capital**: Juba.
- **Area**: 644,329 square kilometres.
- **Population**: 12,575,714 (2017, preferred value).
- **Continent**: Africa (located in East Africa).
- **Government**: Federal republic; Sovereign state.
- **Head of State/Government**: Salva Kiir Mayardit (since July 9, 2011).
- **Official Language**: English.
- **Currency**: South Sudanese pound (since July 18, 2011).
- **Motto**: "Justice, Liberty, Prosperity".
- **Anthem**: "South Sudan Oyee!".
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 7, Longitude 30.
- **Highest Point**: Kinyeti (3,187 metres).
- **Lowest Point**: White Nile (350 metres).
- **Timezone**: UTC+02:00 (Africa/Juba).
- **Driving Side**: Right.
- **Emergency Phone Number**: 911.
- **Telephone Country Code**: +211.
- **Top-level Internet Domain**: .ss.
- **ISO 3166-1 Codes**: Alpha-2: SS, Alpha-3: SSD, Numeric: 728.
- **M49 Code**: 728.
- **IOC Country Code**: SSD.
- **ITU Letter Code**: SSD.
- **Maritime Identification Digits**: 638.
- **Mobile Country Code**: 659.
- **Life Expectancy**: 56 years (2016, preferred).
- **Gini Coefficient**: 44.1 (2016).
- **Human Development Index (HDI)**: 0.385 (2021).
- **Total Fertility Rate**: 5.022 (2014, preferred).

## FAQs
**What is the political and administrative structure of South Sudan?**
South Sudan operates as a federal republic with a presidential system where the President serves as both head of state and head of government, currently Salva Kiir Mayardit. The legislative body is the National Legislature of South Sudan, and the country is divided into numerous administrative states and areas, including Jonglei, Jubek State, and the Abyei Administrative Area.

**What languages are spoken in South Sudan?**
While English is the official language, South Sudan is linguistically diverse with over 60 languages used, including Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk, and Modern Standard Arabic. Other languages include various dialects of Dinka, Juba Arabic, Murle, Ma'di, and Olu’bo.

**Who are South Sudan's neighbors?**
South Sudan shares borders with six countries: Sudan to the north, Ethiopia to the east, Kenya to the southeast, Uganda to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the southwest, and the Central African Republic to the west.

**What international organizations is South Sudan a member of?**
South Sudan became a member of the United Nations on July 14, 2011. It is also a member of the African Union, UNESCO, Interpol, the World Health Organization, the World Meteorological Organization, the African Development Bank, and the African Continental Free Trade Area, among others.

**What are the demographic and economic indicators of South Sudan?**
South Sudan has a population growth rate reflected in a birth rate of 28.857 (2022) and a death rate of 10.745 (2022). The unemployment rate was 12.395% in 2022, and the Gini coefficient was 44.1 in 2016. The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.385 (2021), indicating low development.

## Why It Matters
South Sudan matters as a geopolitical entity because it represents the most recent successful secession in Africa, altering the continent's map and political landscape after decades of civil war with Sudan. Its existence is a testament to the principle of self-determination, achieved through a referendum that followed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

The country holds significant strategic importance due to its substantial oil reserves, which are vital to its economy and a point of contention with its northern neighbor, Sudan. Its stability is crucial for the broader East African region, impacting trade, security, and refugee movements. South Sudan's ongoing challenges with governance, human rights, and development, highlighted by its low HDI and status as a "not-free country," make it a focal point for international humanitarian and development efforts.

## Notable For
- **World's Newest Country**: Gained independence on July 9, 2011.
- **Low Human Development**: Has one of the lowest Human Development Index scores globally (0.385 in 2021).
- **Youngest UN Member**: Joined the United Nations on July 14, 2011.
- **High Linguistic Diversity**: Over 60 languages are spoken within its borders.
- **Oil-Dependent Economy**: Its economy is heavily reliant on oil revenues.
- **Recent Border Adjustment**: The border with Sudan is subject to ongoing negotiations and disputes, particularly regarding the Abyei area.

## Body

### History and Independence
South Sudan became a sovereign state on July 9, 2011, when it separated from Sudan following a referendum held earlier that year. This event marked the culmination of a long struggle for autonomy, formalized by the foundational text, the Constitution of Southern Sudan. The country's history is deeply intertwined with its separation from Sudan and the subsequent challenges of nation-building.

### Geography and Environment
South Sudan is a landlocked country in East Africa covering an area of 644,329 square kilometres. Its coordinates are centered around latitude 7 and longitude 30. The country's terrain varies from low-lying plains to mountainous regions, with the highest point being Kinyeti at 3,187 metres and the lowest point at the White Nile at 350 metres. Key geographic coordinates include the northernmost point (12.23638°N, 32.73159°E), southernmost point (3.50481°N, 32.20198°E), easternmost point (4.63103°N, 35.949°E), and westernmost point (9.0149°N, 23.4479°E) in Radom National Park.

### Government and Politics
The political framework of South Sudan is a federal republic. The President, currently Salva Kiir Mayardit, serves as both the head of state and head of government, an office he has held since independence in 2011. The legislative body is the National Legislature of South Sudan. The country's governance index has been low, with the BTI Governance Index scoring 2.15 in 2020 and 2022. Internationally, it has been designated as a "not-free country" by Freedom in the World.

### Demographics and Society
As of 2017, the population of South Sudan was 12,575,714. Demographic data from 2022 shows a male population of 5,404,538 and a female population of 5,508,626, with a rural population of 8,638,206 and an urban population of 2,274,958. The birth rate in 2022 was 28.857 per 1,000 people, while the death rate was 10.745 per 1,000. Life expectancy at birth was 56 years (2022, preferred). The marriageable age is 18 for all genders.

### Economy and Infrastructure
The official currency is the South Sudanese pound, introduced on July 18, 2011, replacing the Sudanese pound. The central bank is the Bank of South Sudan. The country's unemployment rate in 2022 was 12.395%. Infrastructure includes a right-hand traffic system, an emergency phone number of 911, and a country code of +211. The top-level internet domain is .ss.

### International Relations and Memberships
South Sudan maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including the United States, China, Russia, Germany, India, and regional neighbors like Uganda and Kenya. It became a member of the United Nations on July 14, 2011. Other memberships include the African Union, UNESCO (joined October 27, 2011), Interpol (joined October 31, 2011), the World Health Organization, and the International Monetary Fund-related organizations like the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

### Symbols and Culture
The national flag is the Flag of South Sudan, and the coat of arms is the Emblem of South Sudan. The national anthem is "South Sudan Oyee!" and the national motto is "Justice, Liberty, Prosperity." The country is culturally diverse, reflected in the wide array of languages spoken and the demonym "South Sudanese."

### Administrative Divisions
South Sudan's administrative structure has evolved. Originally consisting of 10 states, it was reorganized in 2015 into 28 states and the Abyei Administrative Area. These include Jonglei, Jubek State, Wau State, Gogrial State, Eastern Nile State, and many others. The Abyei area is a special administrative zone claimed by Sudan but administered by South Sudan.

### Technical Identifiers and Standards
South Sudan is identified by several international codes. The ISO 3166-1 codes are SS (Alpha-2), SSD (Alpha-3), and 728 (Numeric). The M49 code is also 728. Other identifiers include the IOC country code (SSD), ITU letter code (SSD), and maritime identification digits (638). The mobile country code is 659. The country is also represented by the Unicode character 🇸🇸.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/south-sudan)
2. Constitution of South Sudan
3. UNICEF 2016 - Language and Learning South Sudan
4. [Source](http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=513378)
5. [South Sudan gets own Internet domain](https://www.tert.am/en/news/2011/08/13/sudandomain/329106)
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. OpenStreetMap
8. [Source](https://www.timeanddate.com/time/zone/south-sudan)
9. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2020f/africa)
10. Lingua Libre
11. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Development_Bank)
12. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
13. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Africa/SOUTH-SUDAN-Rep.of)
14. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
15. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
16. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=277)
17. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
18. [Source](http://icdo.org/who-we-are/members/member-states.html)
19. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/south-sudan)
20. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
21. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
22. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Continental_Free_Trade_Area#List_of_signatories_and_parties_to_the_agreement)
23. [Source](http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/newslog/New+Country+New+Number+Country+Code+211+Officially+Assigned+To+South+Sudan.aspx)
24. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
25. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
26. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
27. MusicBrainz
28. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
29. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
30. census
31. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
32. World Bank Open Data
33. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
34. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
35. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-sudan/)
36. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
37. BabelNet
38. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
39. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
40. [South Sudan | Today's latest from Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/where/south-sudan)
41. iNaturalist
42. FactGrid
43. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
44. KBpedia
45. [Source](https://www.bti-project.org)
46. [Source](https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-dashboard/SSD)
47. museum-digital
48. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/inequality-adjusted-human-development-index\#/indicies/IHDI)