Discover Sudan: 11 Fascinating Facts You Never Knew About Africa's Hidden Gem

1. Zoo Casualties in Street Conflict

In an unfortunate case of "hungry, hungry hippos" far worse than any childhood board game you might recall: Sudan's capital zoo, established over a century ago and one of the oldest in the country, suffered significant losses in its collection of unique and rare animals, such as African gray parrots, vervet monkeys, and giant Nile monitor lizards, as ongoing street fighting and restricted access left them without food or water for more than three weeks.
Source => africanews.com

2. Smuggling Gold to Fund Conflict

Who knew Sudan's got the Midas touch? Turning conflict into glittery gold, one smuggler at a time: In 2022, Sudan broke its gold production record with over 18 tons, but it's suspected that over 50% of it gets smuggled out to finance the ongoing internal conflict – which led to a gold export ban for government agencies and foreigners, leaving the Central Bank of Sudan to play eternal gold hoarder!
Source => africanews.com

Did you know that the "pharaoh of sunscreen" Franz Greiter invented the sun-defending Glacier Cream in the 1930s, introducing the world to SPF and revolutionizing sun protection? Discover how this invention led to a multi-billion dollar industry! 🌞💡

=> Fun Facts about Egypt

3. 500 Ethnic Tribes Party

In the great melting pot of Sudan, it's always a party of 500 – ethnic groups, that is: This culturally abundant nation boasts over 500 different tribes, each contributing their own unique flavor to Sudan's vibrant cultural hairball, encompassing the artistic prowess of the Nuba and the eye-catching fashion statements of the Beja.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Sudan's Pyramid Extravaganza

Move over, Giza: Sudan's got a pyramid party that just won't quit! With an astounding guest list of over 200 Nubian pyramids, Egypt's famous 118 suddenly seem a tad underdressed: In Sudan, the pyramids of Meroë were built primarily for the Kingdom of Kush's royal pharaohs and, sporting a UNESCO World Heritage status, these lesser-known, steeper-sided wonders date back to about 2000 years after their Egyptian cousins. So, add a dash of steep to your step and dive into the fascinating realm of these unexplored monuments!
Source => theafricaninsider.com

5. Migratory Birds' Vacation Paradise

Birds of a feather don't just flock together, they take luxurious vacations in Sudan's wetland paradise: The Umjar Wetland, a potential protected habitat, serves as a vacation hotspot for migratory birds, including some VIP threatened species, earning international recognition from agreements like the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species and the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds pact.
Source => migratorysoaringbirds.birdlife.org

6. Red Sea's Coral Garden Party

Surfin' the Red Sea at Sudan's underwater garden party: Over 60 genera of reef-forming corals come together with a plethora of species to create thriving coral ecosystems along the Sudanese coastline, remaining a unique and essential marine habitat despite multiple conservation threats.
Source => researchgate.net

7. Africa's Former Giant

Once upon a time in a land far, far away, giants roamed the earth, at least in terms of size – hold on to your geography books; we're talking about countries, not mythical creatures: Before South Sudan strode off into independence in 2011, Sudan was the largest country in Africa, with a whopping 2.5 million square kilometers of land, claiming the title of 10th largest in the world, and towering over its neighbors.
Source => press.un.org

8. Kushite Empire's Girl Power

Move over, Wilma Flintstone: The real queens of the Stone Ages were hanging out in the Kushite Empire! Unraveling the bedrock of modern-day northern Sudan and southern Egypt, this advanced civilization boasted a unique language and script, a trade and industry-based economy, and a flamboyantly urban society marked by exceptionally high levels of female participation.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Ancient Rock Art Threatened

When Sudanese rocks decided to paint the town red, they went all in: Sudan boasts a diverse range of rock art, featuring images of animals, boats, and religious symbols, reminding us that creative expression knows no bounds—though damming projects, like the proposed Kajbar Dam, threaten to drown these ancient masterpieces.
Source => africanrockart.britishmuseum.org

10. Sudan's Cultural Gumbo

If variety is the spice of life, Sudan is a virtual buffet of cultural gumbo: Boasting over 597 unique subgroups and tribes, Sudan presents a vast array of ethnicities, religions, and languages such as Arabic, English, Nubian, Ta Bedawie, and Fur, making it a cornucopia of diversity just waiting to be explored.
Source => culturalatlas.sbs.com.au

11. Dome-shaped Hills' Puns Galore

If the hills could talk in Sudan, they'd have us rolling with their puns about "hitting the high notes" and "doming it like a boss": Sudan's Nuba Mountain range in southeast Kurdufan is a collection of isolated dome-shaped hills that tower majestically above the Sudanic plain, providing eye-catching landscapes and thrilling hiking experiences worthy of any adventurer's bucket list.
Source => en.wikipedia.org