What is the terrain and geography like in Sudan?
Through these diverse regions flow the White and Blue Niles, which converge at Khartoum. The Nile system, with its major tributaries-the Bahr al Ghazal, Sobat, and Atbara-is the primary water supply for northeastern Africa. Most cultivation in the north of Sudan depends on these rivers, but farther south, rainfall is sufficient for cultivation and grazing.
The river is navigable only in certain areas. The Bahr al-Arab, flowing west to east, forms a natural frontier. Another, more formidable obstacle to the south is the Sudd, an immense 12,000 square miles of swamp floating vegetation into which the White Nile expands before reverting to river again.
Geographic Location | Africa |
Total Area |
718,719 Square Miles 1,861,484 Square Kilometers |
Land Boundaries |
4,195 Miles 6,751 Kilometers |
Irrigated Land |
7,297 Square Miles 18,900 Square Kilometers |
Border Countries | Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 628 km, Egypt 1,273 km, Eritrea 605 km, Ethiopia 1,606 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km |
Coastline |
530 Miles 853 Kilometers |
Geographic Coordinates | 15 00 N, 30 00 E |
Terrain | generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in far south, northeast and west; desert dominates the north |
Highest Point | 3,187 Meters |
Highest Point Location | Kinyeti 3,187 m |
Lowest Point Location | Red Sea 0 m |
Natural Resources | petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower |
Time Zone | UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) |