Travel to the Eritrean border is not advised at present; southern Sudan, Darfur and Kassala should also be avoided, except on essential business or if engaged in relief work. Conflict continues to be a feature of Sudan. There is a general threat from terrorism. Most visits to Khartoum, Port Sudan and other areas in the north are trouble-free. Permits, obtained locally, are required for all travel outside Khartoum. For further advice, contact a local government travel advice department.

Sudan is bordered by Egypt, the Red Sea, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Chad and Libya. Khartoum, the capital, is situated at the confluence of the Blue and White Niles. Among the tourist attractions are the Omdurman camel market and the Arab souk. Particularly noteworthy is the well-organised National Museum that contains archaeological treasures dating back to 4000 BC and earlier. The main areas of archaeological interest in Sudan are to be found beside the Nile, north of Khartoum. They include Bajrawiya, Naga and Meroe. The Dinder National Park, covering 6475 sq km (2500 sq miles) southeast of Khartoum on the Ethiopian border, is one of the largest in the world. There are many species of wild animals, including lion, leopard, kudu, bushbuck and antelope. The Red Sea, with the transparency of its water, the variety of its fish and the charm of its marine gardens and coral reefs, is one of Sudan’s main tourist attractions. The staple diet is fool, a type of bean, and dura, cooked maize or millet, which are eaten with various vegetables. Alcohol is banned by the Islamic sharia code.

Northeast Africa.

GMT + 3.

2,505,813 sq km (967,500 sq miles).

32.9 million (UN estimate 2002).

13.1 per sq km.

Khartoum. Population: 2.4 million (UN estimate 2002; including suburbs).

Sudan is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Ethiopia and Eritrea to the east, Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south, the Central African Republic and Chad to the west, and Libya to the northwest. There is a marked difference between the climate, culture and geography of northern and southern Sudan. The far north consists of the contiguous Libyan and Nubian deserts which extend as far south as the capital, Khartoum, and are barren except for small areas beside the Nile River and a few scattered oases. This gives way to the central steppes which cover the country between 15°N and 10°N, a region of short, coarse grass and bushes, turning to open savannah towards the south, largely flat to the east but rising to two large plateaux in the west and south, the Janub Darfur (3088m/10,131ft) and Janub Kordofan (500m/1640ft) respectively. Most of Sudan’s agriculture occurs in these latitudes in a fertile pocket between the Blue and White Niles which meet at Khartoum. South of the steppes is a vast shallow basin traversed by the White Nile and its tributaries, with the Sudd, a 120,000 sq km (46,332 sq miles) marshland, in the centre. This gives way to equatorial forest towards the south, rising to jungle-clad mountains on the Ugandan border, the highest being Mount Kinyeti, at 3187m (10,456ft).

Islamic Republic since 1986. Gained independence from the UK in 1956. Head of State and Government: President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir since 1989.

Arabic is the official language. English and many local dialects are widely spoken.

Muslim in the north; Christian and traditional animist beliefs in the south.

240 volts AC, 50Hz.

In the north, Arab culture predominates, while the people in the more fertile south belong to many diverse tribes, each with their own lifestyle and beliefs. Because Sudan is largely Muslim and operates Sharia, women should not wear revealing clothing., although they are not expected to wear a veil or cover their heads. At official and social functions as well as in some restaurants, formal clothes are expected. The Sudanese have a great reputation for hospitality. A curfew operates in major cities from 0000-0400. Photography: There are many restrictions on photography: a photography permit can be obtained from the External Information Office at the Ministry of Information in Khartoum.