Sudan
General Information
Climate:
tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season varies by region (April to November) Terrain: generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in far south, northeast and west; desert dominates the north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Red Sea 0 m highest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m Natural resources: petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold,hydropower Population: 41,980,182 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 Population growth rate: 2.154% (2010 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.52 years country comparison to the world: 207 male: 51.56 years female: 53.54 years (2010 est.) Ethnic groups: black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum), indigenous beliefs 25% Languages: Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 61.1% male: 71.8% female: 50.5% (2003 est.) |
Natural Resources
Sudan is a large African country that borders nine other African countries. It has a unique location in an area about one million square miles (Sudan | Region, Africa, 2015). It is unique because of its fertile land, heavy rains, and the availability of water resources. These factors make the Sudanese land rich with mineral resources such as metal, silver, gold, petrol, and natural gas.
Gold The country is particularly rich in gold. Looking at this countries top exports gives a good indication of the types of resources the country has more. As shown in the graph below gold makes up about 45% of Sudan's $4.8 billion exports (Fast Facts, 2015). Despite these colossal numbers many people in Sudan do not have money (Omer, 2013). Oil Oil exploration in Sudan began in the 1950's, but it was not until 1979 did the American company Chevron find oil. Chevron operated for around twenty years. During that time the instability of region caused the company some problems (Nehamas, 2015). Southern militant groups would attack their wells and employees. Chevron began downsizing its operations in the region. They sold their claim to another oil company. Eventually more oil companies came. Production steadily increased into the 2000's. Recently, the new fields they have been finding have been smaller. The country will not always be able to rely on this exhaustible resource (Understanding Sudan, 2009). Also, many American Companies profited from these wells. The rulers of the country did too, but the general population sees little economic benefit. Other Since Sudan is a developing country a lot of their natural resources revolve around their livestock and agriculture. The rich soil supports many grazing animals such as sheep and goats. This is what a majority of the population is involved in. As well as some crafts and trades. This area is the smallest part of Sudan's economy and it has the most amount of people in it. This has created a wealth problem in the country. For me information on Sudan's exports and resources click here. |
War and Strife
Mahdist War
Sudan first real war was against Egyptian forces and British colonizers. The battle lasted from 1885 to 1899.The British of course defeated the Sudanese government and established colonial rule over the area. This crippled an already hurting economy (Omer, 2013). The people worked to produce cash crops instead of making food or learning a trade. Sudanese Civil Wars The first civil war in Sudan was against the North and the South. It lasted from 1955-1972 and claimed the lives of over half a million people. Under colonial rule the two regions were separate, so when the country gained their freedom and they tried to unify there were still some tension. Also, Christians lived in the south primarily and Muslims lived in the North (History of the Conflict, 2015). This hurt the country's economy greatly. The length of war, the destruction, and the resources wasted fighting pushed the emerging country into debt. The war stopped with the Addis Ababa Agreement which gave the south a small region of land in exchange for stopping the war. Unfortunately peace did not last. War broke out again in 1983. This war was between the central Sudanese government and Sudan People's Liberation Army. The war lasted a staggering twenty two years making it the longest civil war in history. The war was brought on by fighting over natural resources particularly the recently discovered oil. Over two million people died. The war ended in January of 2005 with the signing of a peace agreement. The agreement stated a ceasefire and better wealth sharing. This war hurt the country, but it did end up improving somewhat as a result. Current Wars Sudan is involved in two wars currently. The first war is with the region of Darfur in Sudan this fight is still fueled from the countries long and arduous civil wars. Two groups are fighting the government because they feel they are being repressed. Peace agreements are in discussion, but the fighting persists (History of the Conflict, 2015). The second war started in 2011 and is in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile. The fighting relates to the war in Darfur. One of the parties fighting is a southern sect of militant group that is fighting in the Darfur region. These wars continue on the destruction and upheaval of the civil wars. As long as war plagues Sudan the people will suffer physically and economically. |
Agriculture
Agriculture in the region has historically flourished. Adequate rainfall and a close location the Nile and other rivers provides Sudan with a large amount of fertile land. This fertile land has provided for the country's inhabitants. During colonization the British took advantages of these fields to make cash crops. They set up extensive irrigation systems. Currently, principal cash crops are cotton, sesame, peanuts, sugarcane, dates, citrus fruits, mangoes, coffee, and tobacco. The lead subsistence crops are sorghum, millet, wheat, beans, cowpeas, pulses, corn, and barley. Cotton is the top export crop and a very important part of the country's economy. In 2001, agricultural products accounted for 21.9% of imports and 19.2% of exports. War and strife have often hurt production. Also, a drought and the Second Sudanese Civil War in the 1980's severely hurt agricultural production (Encyclopedia of the Nations, 2013).
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Economic Development
Pre-Colonialism Period
Sudan's economy developed around its natural resources. Before Sudan got its the name back in ancient times the area did business with Egyptians. They traded for ivory, spices, and gold. Later they traded with passing Muslim merchants. Gold has been part of Sudan's economy from the beginning and lasted throughout its history. This helped the people and country prosper for a time. Colonial Period It remained relatively the same until European nations came to Africa to colonize it (Sudan ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, 2004). The lure of gold and fertile land in Africa brought many Europeans to the Nation. These colonizers did not care much for the economic growth of the country as a whole. They used the country for its natural resources and their own gain. The colonizers concentrated their development efforts on irrigated agriculture and the railroad system throughout the Anglo-Egyptian area. Post Colonial Period Once the country had achieved its independence it had little to no structure. The country was extremely underdeveloped by modern standards (Omer, 2013). To make troubles worse during the early years of the new government, ran by Nimeiri, corruption was widespread. This limited the people's faith and government, and hindered projects that would have helped to build infrastructure. Eventually this corrupt regime was overthrown. Between 1978 and 1985, agricultural and industrial production had declined in per capita terms. Imports during much of the 1980s were three times the level of exports. Modern By 1991 the value of the Sudanese pound against the dollar had sunk to less than 10 percent of its 1978 value, and the country's external debt had risen to US$13 billion, the interest on which could be paid only by raising new loans. Part of the cause for this was drought, but also because of conflict in the South (Omer, 2013). The introduction of Oil helped to grow the economy, but Sudan remains a poor country. The country has seen fairly consistent economic growth since the mid 1990's. GDP per capita has been increasing overall. If stability in the region improves, and the government continues to invest in infrastructure and jobs the economic condition of its people will continue to improve (Sudan GDP per Capita, 2015). |
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References
Amel, Omer. "Wealth Inequality, Conflict and Population Health in Sudan." Wealth Inequality, Conflict and Population Health in Sudan. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
"Encyclopedia of the Nations." Agriculture. N.p., 13 May 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.
"Fast Facts On Sudan." Fast Facts on Sudan. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
"History of the Conflict." History of the Conflict. Enough Project, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
Nehamas, Nicholas. "South Sudan Can Learn from Alaska on Oil." Latitude News. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.
"Sudan | Region, Africa." Encyclopedia Britannica. Britannica, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
"Sudan ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT." Photius. N.p., 12 Nov. 2004. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
"Sudan GDP per Capita | 1960-2015 | Data | Chart | Calendar | Forecast." Sudan GDP per Capita | 1960-2015 | Data | Chart | Calendar | Forecast. Trading Economics, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
Understanding Sudan. N.p.: U of California, n.d. University of California, 1 Jan. 2009. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
"Encyclopedia of the Nations." Agriculture. N.p., 13 May 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.
"Fast Facts On Sudan." Fast Facts on Sudan. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
"History of the Conflict." History of the Conflict. Enough Project, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
Nehamas, Nicholas. "South Sudan Can Learn from Alaska on Oil." Latitude News. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.
"Sudan | Region, Africa." Encyclopedia Britannica. Britannica, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
"Sudan ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT." Photius. N.p., 12 Nov. 2004. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
"Sudan GDP per Capita | 1960-2015 | Data | Chart | Calendar | Forecast." Sudan GDP per Capita | 1960-2015 | Data | Chart | Calendar | Forecast. Trading Economics, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.
Understanding Sudan. N.p.: U of California, n.d. University of California, 1 Jan. 2009. Web. 16 Apr. 2015.