Sudan
Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is home to 44 million people. After a split in 2011, this vast semiarid country broke into two and now borders seven different countries and the Red Sea to the east. Sudan has a turbulent but storied history that spans from neolithic times, to the ancient Kingdoms of Nubia and Kush centered around the Nile River, to European colonization. Today, the country suffers from political instability, military regimes, and civil wars. In today's update, we'll be taking a look at a variety of scenes from this unique country.
Our trip to Sudan will begin in the country's massive capital of Khartoum. With a population of 5,274,321, its metropolitan area is the fourth-largest in the Arab world. Khartoum's large metropolitan area actually consists of three large cities and their surrounding suburbs - Khartoum, Omdurman, and North Khartoum - it's an area so large it can only be fully appreciated from above.
The Nile River cuts through the heart of the city and many of Khartoum's most recognizable buildings and landmarks can be found along Nile Street, such as the stunning Burj Al Fateh hotel and the Tuti Suspension Bridge.
Khartoum's location along the Nile River brings forth an unfortunate reality - floods. Every few years, heavy rains cause the Blue Nile bursts its banks - and in some years like 1988 the destruction can be especially widespread.
After our look at Khartoum, we'll travel to the Red Sea for a look at another one of the country's most important cities - Port Sudan. The country's only major seaport was built in 1905 to replace the Suakin seaport and its grown ever since. Port Sudan has an oil refinery and handles the majority of the country's international trade - major exports include oil seed, senna, and hides and skins, while key imports include construction materials, heavy machinery, and vehicles.
We travel westwards, eventually reaching the Nile River again - and we soon reach Sudan's most important historical site - Merouë. This city was the capital of the Kingdom of Kush for several centuries, until its collapse in the fourth century CE. The Kushitic Kingdom of Meroë gave its name to the "Island of Meroë", which was the modern region of Butana, a region bounded by the Nile (from the Atbarah River to Khartoum), the Atbarah and the Blue Nile. The site of the city of Merouë today is marked by more than two hundred pyramids in three groups, of which many are in ruins, but restorations over the years have restored some of the their glory.
As we travel back across central Sudan, a common sight across the landscape is peanut farms - also known as groundnuts. These are one of Sudan's most important exports, accounting for nearly 14% of the world's production.
Our last sight today comes from Sudan's highest point - 9,980 ft tall Djebel Marra. This volcanic peak last erupted in 1500 BC and is known for its wide, double-caldera summit and crater lakes. Standing high above the surrounding volcanic landscape, it's one of the region's most beautiful summits.
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-korver
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