1. It’s located in Northeast Africa and is the third largest country on the continent.

2. The capital and largest city is Khartoum, where the Blue Nile and White Nile tributaries unite to form the Nile River.

3. Major languages: Arabic and English are official languages and more than 100 native languages are spoken.

4. Major ethnic groups: Arab (70%), Nubians, Zurga, Copts

5. Major religions: Islam (91%), Christianity (6%), Traditional and other religions (3%)

6. It gained independence from Egypt and United Kingdom on January 1, 1956.

7. It was Africa’s largest country until 2011, when South Sudan split and gained independence.

8. Its name means “land of the Blacks” in Arabic and refers to the dark skin of the people.                

9. It has more than 500 miles of coastline with many beaches and beautiful coral reefs.

10. The Red Sea is the lowest point in Sudan and a starting point for scuba diving expeditions, one of the most popular being Jacques Cousteau’s underwater village.

11. It has three UNESCO World Heritage sites: Sanganeb National Park, Meroe pyramids and archeological sites, and Gebel Barkal and Napatan sites.

12. It has the world’s largest collection of pyramids. There are more pyramids in one small section of the northern Sudanese desert than in the whole of Egypt.

13. Sudan has a plethora of historical sites and other attractions, including the Ruins of Kerma (an early Kushite kingdom), Nuri Pyramids, Temple of Soleb, Temple of Amun, Meroe Pyramids, Musawarat Es Sufra Temple, Naqa Temple, Nubian Desert, Jebel Marra mountains, Dinder National Park, as well as the Sudan National Museum, Khartoum Camel Market, and Friday Sufi Gathering in the capital of Khartoum. However, caution is advised due to longstanding conflict in some regions.

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1. It’s located in northern Africa and links northeast Africa with the Middle East.

2. Its capital and largest city is Cairo.

3. It’s the 12th largest country and the third most populous country on the continent.

4. Arabic is the official language.

5. Islam is the official religion, practiced by 90% of the population. Ten percent are Christians.

6. Major ethnic groups: Egyptians, Nubians, Bedouins, Berbers, Copts

7. The Nile River, the world’s longest river, flows thru Egypt and 10 other African countries. About 22% of the Nile River’s course flows thru Egypt.

8. 95% of Egyptians live along the Nile River or its delta. The Nile provides nearly all of Egypt’s water.

9. It has one of the longest histories of any country and is considered a cradle of civilization.

10. It has coastlines on the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf Sea, with modern resorts catering to sun seekers and scuba divers.

11. Egypt is Africa’s second most visited country, with visitors coming to see its many historical monuments and cultural attractions.

12. Popular attractions include the Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza, Luxor’s Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simpel, Mount Sinai, White Desert, Siwa Oasis, the towns of Aswan, Alexandria , Hurghada, Sharm el Sheik, and Cairo, and cruising on the Nile.

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