Sudan is located in Northern Africa, and its capital is Khartoum. It has a population of approximately 50,448,963 and covers an area of about 1,878,000 km². Its official currency is the Sudanese pound (SDG).
What stands out
People & place
26.9 /km² across 1,878,000 km²
Sudan has a recorded population of 50,448,963 and a reported surface area of 1,878,000 km².
Economic snapshot
$49.67 billion nominal GDP
Nominal GDP is recorded at $49.67 billion and GDP per capita at $985 for 2024. These measures do not describe income distribution or household wealth.
Sudan is a large nation in northeastern Africa where the Blue and White Nile rivers meet at the capital, Khartoum. A land of ancient kingdoms and vast deserts, it boasts more pyramids than Egypt yet remains little known to the wider world. In recent years it has navigated profound political upheaval as it seeks a more stable future.
Sudan is dominated by desert and semi-arid plains, with the Nile and its tributaries forming a vital green corridor of life and agriculture. The Sahara stretches across the north, the Red Sea borders the northeast, and wetter savanna lies to the south. The climate is hot, with limited and seasonal rainfall.
Sudanese society blends Arab and African heritage, with Arabic as the main language and Islam the predominant religion. It is known for warm hospitality, distinctive music, and rich traditions of poetry and craft. The legacy of the ancient Nubian civilisations remains a strong source of identity.
The Nile valley of Sudan was home to the powerful Kushite kingdoms of Kerma, Napata and Meroe, rivals to ancient Egypt. Later ruled by Ottoman-Egyptian and then British administrations, Sudan gained independence in 1956. South Sudan seceded in 2011, and the country has since experienced revolution and ongoing political transition.
Key facts
Sudan contains more ancient pyramids than Egypt, mainly at the Meroe necropolis.
The Blue Nile and White Nile join at the capital, Khartoum.
South Sudan separated to become an independent country in 2011.
The ancient kingdom of Kush once ruled over a large stretch of the Nile valley.
This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.
Population, area and economic figures use the latest available values from World Bank Open Data; reporting years can vary by country. See sources and methodology for indicator definitions, mapping attribution, and editorial limitations.
Sudan has a recorded population of approximately 50,448,963 people.
How big is Sudan?
Sudan covers an area of about 1,878,000 km².
What is the population density of Sudan?
Sudan has a population density of roughly 26.9 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Sudan?
Sudan has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $49.67 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Sudan?
Sudan has a GDP per capita of approximately $985.
What currency is used in Sudan?
Sudan uses the Sudanese pound (SDG), with the symbol .س.ج.
Where is Sudan located?
Sudan is located in Northern Africa, Africa.
What is the native name of Sudan?
The native name of Sudan is السودان.
What are people from Sudan called?
People from Sudan are referred to as Sudanese.
What is the phone calling code for Sudan?
The international dialing code for Sudan is +249.
What is the internet domain for Sudan?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Sudan is .sd.
What time zone is Sudan in?
Sudan uses the Africa/Khartoum time zone.
What is Sudan known for?
Sudan is a large nation in northeastern Africa where the Blue and White Nile rivers meet at the capital, Khartoum. A land of ancient kingdoms and vast deserts, it boasts more pyramids than Egypt yet remains little known to the wider world. In recent years it has navigated profound political upheaval as it seeks a more stable future.
Northern Africa