Sudan Basic Information's:
Sudan is located in Africa -
2,505,8I3 km (967,500
miles) - 28,098,000 people
Geographical:
Highest Mountain:
Kinyeti 3I87 m
Coast with Red Sea
Largest river:
White Nile, Blue Nile, The
Nile
Access to 9 neighbor countries:
West:
Central African Republic -
Chad
North:
Libya -
Egypt
East:
Red Sea -
Eritrea -
Ethiopia
South:
Zaire/Dem Rep of Congo -
Kenya
Uganda
In
dependant:
In dependant since
I956 from Egypt and Great Britain
In dependant day: 1 Jan 1956
Local Time: +2
GMT
Capital: Khartoum
languages: Arabic
currency: 1 Sudan Dinard =
100 Piaster
Political:
President: General Omar Hassan Ahmed
ElBachir
since 1989
Land
boundaries: 7,687 km
Central African Republic
I,I65 km, Chad I,360
km, Zaire/Dem Rep of Congo 628 km,
Egypt I,273 km, Eritrea
605 km, Ethiopia I,606 km, Kenya
232 km, Libya 383
km, Uganda 435 km
Coastline: 853 km
Sudan States: 26 states (wilayah /wilayat)
A'ali an Nil
Al Bahr al Ahmar
Al Buhayrat
Al Jazirah
Al Khartum
Al Qadarif
Al Wahdah
An Nil al Abyad
An Nil al Azraq
Ash Shamaliyah
Bahr al Jabal
Gharb al Istiwa'iyah
Gharb Bahr al Ghazal
Gharb Darfur
Gharb Kurdufan
Janub Darfur
Janub Kurdufan
Junqali
Kassala
Nahr an Nil
Shamal Bahr al Ghazal
Shamal Darfur
Shamal Kurdufan
Sharq al Istiwa'iyah
Sinnar
Warab
Climate:
Hot rainy summer
(April - October) and warm dry winter (November - March). The Red Sea has
hot dry summer (May - September) and warm rainy winter (September - May).
Language:
The official Language
is Arabic of which there are considerable local dialect variations.
English is the second language.
Religion: The majority is of
Islamic faith; there are also Christians and Pagans.
Miscellaneous:
Local time: GMT + 2
hours.
Weekly closing day:
Friday.
Working Hours: Banks
08:00 am – 01:30 PM.
Government offices 07:30
am – 14:30 PM.
Electricity: 240/415
volts.
How to dress: light
clothes, preferably cotton.
What to Eat:
There are European
dishes, together with oriental dishes. Sudanese dishes are served in
small restaurants usually consists of beans and meat.
What to Buy:
An excellent selection of
worked ebony, silver and copper, gold, belts, handbags, wallets, articles
made of feathers, ceramics and other items are to be found at the Sudanese
Handcraft Market in Omdurman as well as in the Bazaars in the Three
Capital.
Air Taxes:
All departing passenger
should pay an airport tax except transit passengers and children under
two.
Currency:
The official monetary
unit is the Sudanese Dinnar and the Sudanese Pound. The Sudanese Dinnar
equals ten Sudanese Pounds. Visitors may bring in an unlimited amount of
foreign currency providing declaration of such currency is made to customs
on arrival. Exchange of currency should be only through banks.
Visa:
All Arab nationals,
Ethiopians, Eritrea's are admitted to Sudan without entry visa. Tourist
groups can obtain their visas at Khartoum airport or any other authorized
port through the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Contacts should be
made two-week prior arrival. Individuals are to obtain their visas through
the Sudanese Embassy in their respective countries.
For more information please apply to your travel agent operating in the
Sudan or write directly to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, P.O
Box 2424, Khartoum.
Customs:
No duty required for
tourist's personal effects, such as clothing, toilet requisites, 200
cigarettes or 25 cigars. Customs duty will be collected on such articles
as cameras, typewriters etc., subject to refund if someone export them
from Sudan within 6 months. Guarantee signed by a bank or business firm or
a known resident may be accepted in place of deposit or duty.
Fire Arms and Ammunitions:
Importing of firearms is
prohibited unless permission is obtained from the Ministry of Interior.
Importation of limited amounts of ammunition is allowed only if it is
suitable for the firearm in possession of the importer and for personal
use. Further permit is required for possession or use of firearm, valid
for a period of one month. If the visitor desires to extend his visit
beyond one month a license is required.
Motors:
Application for
permission to motor through the Sudan should be made to passport and
immigration offices founded at the arrival ports. Motorists must pay a
deposit or render a guarantee signed by a known resident of the Sudan, a
bank or business firm.
Permission to motor in or through the Sudan may be given for one or more
vehicles. Motorists are advised to Enquirer about the state of roads
before attempting to travel especially to the Southern part of Sudan. When
motoring through town's motorists should keep to the right.
Photography:
Sudan offers unique
opportunities for both the amateur and professional photographers.
Lighting conditions are ideal throughout the year. Military zones, broad
casting stations and public utilities such as water works, gas and
electricity works and drainage stations may not of course be
photographed. Photographers are kindly requested to call at the
Department of Information and Public Relation (Ministry of Environment and
Tourism) or the Ministry of Culture and Information for enlightenment and
to be supplied with a photography permit.
Accommodations:
There is different type of hotels in
all major cities in the Sudan:
Hilton Hotel - Khartoum
Grand Hotel - Khartoum
Meridien Hotel - Khartoum
Imperial Hotel - Wad
Medani
Palace Hotel - Port Sudan
Phone System:
Sudatel Company (regular Telephone)
Mobitel Company (Mobile GSM)
Thuraya Satellite Mobile Phone
Sudan Code:
+249 -
area code - telephone Number
Ex: +249-511-43911
+249-11-793003
+249-15-546119
+249-13-433221
Local calls: direct call
the Phone Number
Ex: 546119
National long distance calls (States):
0 - area code - telephone Number
Ex: 0(15)-546119
(Omdurman)
0(11)-793003 (Khartoum)
0(13)-433221 (Bahri)
0(511)-43911 (Gezira State)
International calls:
Calling from abroad to the Sudan:
international prefix: 00 - country code -
area code (without 0) - telephone Number
Ex: +249-511-43911
+249-11-793003
+249-15-546119
+249-13-433221
Calls to mobiles
from mobile or regular Telephone (when you are in Sudan)
Mobil prefix: 012
- Mobil users
Ex: 012-280834
012-320334
Calling from abroad to the Sudan (Mobile)
+249-12-mobile user
Ex: +249-12-280834
+249-12-320334
Calling from Mobile to regular Telephone (when you are in Sudan)
0 - area code - regular telephone number
Ex: 0-511-43911
Useful numbers:
operator/Information:
95 /993 /997
Fire
:
313313 (from
Bahri)
774444 (From Khartoum)
544444 (From Omudroman)
Police:
333333/330000
(From Bahri)
773333/780043 (From Khartoum)
553333/552487 (From Omudroman)
Hospital:
332469 (from
Bahri)
779500 (From Khartoum)
552719 (From Omudroman)
Electricity Company:
330183 (From
Bahri)
777256 (From Khartoum)
552152 (From Omudroman)
Capital & States Code:
Capital:
Khartoum : 011
Bahri: 013
Omudroman: 015
States:
Abu NaAma :
Atbara: 0211
Babanusa :
Damazine :0551
Dongola :0241
Ed Dueim :
El Fasher :0731
El Obeid :0611
En Nahud :
El Deinn : 0712
El Hasahisa : 0541
Gedaref:0441
Geneina:
Halfa El Gedida :
Juba :0811
Kadugli :
Karima :0231
Kassala: 0411
Khartoum : 011
Kosti :0571
Kamleen: 0544
Malakal :
Managil : 0517
Nyala :0711
Port Sudan: 0311
Renk :
Sennar:0561
Shandi : 0261
Wad Medani:0511
Wadi Halfa :
Wau :
Internet Service Providers (ISP):
* Internet Access In Sudan is Free
Sudanet
Company
(Access No. 122) (User= sudanet / Password= sudanet)
Mobinet Company
(Access No. 121) (use your Mobile)
Zinanet Company
(Access No. 124) (User = zinanet / Password = zinanet)
Fastnet Company
(Access No. 125) (User = fastnet / Password = fastnet)
Freenet (Sudafone)
(Acess No. 127) (User= freenet / password = freenet)
local websites end with .sd or .com or net |
Tourism in Sudan:
History
The history of the
Sudan extends back to ancient times, further back than 4000 BC
The strong Sudan Kingdom of Napta drove away the Egyptians and under
the rule of Banankhi they occupied Egypt in the 7th century BC, Sudan
became Christian in the 6th century and in the 14th century Islam
prevailed and the Funj Kingdom was formed. The Turks of Egypt, under the
rule of Mohamed Ali Basha, occupied the Sudan in 1821.
Mohamed Ahmed El Mahdi, the great Islamic reformer, led the revolution
against the corrupt Turks in the late 19th century, but the Egyptians and
the British reoccupied the Sudan in 1898. Finally the Sudan retrieved its
independence in 1956.
THE LAND OF THE TWO NILES:
The F. Republic of the
Sudan is regarded as the largest state in Africa, covering an area of
about one million square miles. It shares borders with Egypt and Libya to
the North, Ethiopia, Eritrea, The Red Sea to the East, Kenya, Uganda,
Zaire to the South, the Central African Republic and Chad to the West. The Nile, the longest river in the world (6,671) KM. More than 4000
miles runs through the country from South to North giving life to millions
of people.
Khartoum City
Khartoum, which is
situated at the confluence of the Blue, and the White Niles is the capital
and seat of the Government, with Omdurman "the national capital" across
the White Nile and Khartoum North across the Blue Nile. It forms one unit
called The Three Towns Capital. The capital is an amalgamation of many
interesting places such as: the confluence of the two Niles, the Sudan
national museum, the tomb of the Mahdi, the mosque and the house of the
Khalifa, the Karari battle field, the handcraft center, the camel market,
the Dervish center in Hamad El-Nil and the Nuba Wrestling at Hamad El-Nil.
Jebel Barkal: The Sacred Mountain
rocky mass of Jebel
Barkal rises from the plain about 1.5 miles from Karima. In ancient times
it was a holy mountain the abode of God Amon. At the foot of the mountain
are scattered the ruins of the temples dedicated at various to the worship
of God. The remains of about a dozen buildings may now be seen through
little remains of their former splendor.
Nagaa:
The most perfect ruins
are the Sudan is at Nagaa, about 2,4 miles from Wad Ban Nagaa and 35 miles
from Shendi. There, Besides numerous mounds are the remains of several
temples, the last preserved of which is a small square Kiosk built in the
Roman style of the 2nd. Or 3rd. Century AD Close by is a small temple
consisting of a pylon with a single chamber behind and the remains of a
portico in front. On the southern pylon tower appears King Netek Aman and
on the northern Queen Amanteri, who ruled at Meroe from 15 BC to 15 AD, is
shown, each accompanied by a lion, smiting groups of captives.
The walls of the chamber are covered with relief's showing various Gods
and Goddesses, but the temple appears to have been principally dedicated
to the Lion God Apezemak and is subsequently known as the Lion Temple.
There are also the remains of a large temple dedicated to Amon.
Musawarat El Safra:
Ten miles of Wad Ben
Nagaa lies the ruins of Musawarat El Safra picturesquely situated in a
basin like valley. There are low enclosure walls, which appear to have,
been built as pens for flocks and herds. A central building on a raised
platform with little towers at the corners and a colonnade in front might
be the King's principal divan, and the building connected with it by long
covered passages and flights of steps would probably be harem quarters.
Ancient Maroe Area:
Around Begarawiya and Shendi: Meroe (Begarawiya) the area is a strong hold of temples and palaces,
although much ruined, representing the Meroitic period (200 BC - 200 AD).
Pyramid field of middle and late Meroitic (200 BC to 380 AD) is a
remarkable sight.
Significant Wild Species:
Dinder National ParkThe
Dinder National Park is a homeland of the Savannah mammal's birds and
vegetation's. Among the herbivores founded in the park are Reed buck, Bush
buck, Water buck, Greater Kudu, Buffalo's, Warthog. Roanentelope,
Porcupine, etc. carnivore's are Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Striped Hyena,
wild dog, jacles, several cat, cheetah, lion... etc.
The Red Sea:
The crystal sea is one of
the richest in water life, coral reefs and adversity of marine life rarely
founded in one location. The coastal line of the Red Sea bordering the
Sudan is 750 km. and is characterized as the ideal sea for snorkel's,
divers and under water photographers. It is comfortably warm and
visibility is better than in most places. The best time suitable for all
activities in the Red Sea is from September to May.
Suakin:
The old walled city in
which various civilization met and reconciled was described by the famous
traveler Dr. Wulhelm Junker in 1875 as (a very daughter of the Red Sea
surrounded by marine waters. The houses are the products of the deep being
built of the Caroline limestone fished up from the bottom of the Sea.).
PEOPLE AND CULTURE:
The Sudan is a living book in which the
whole story of Africans and Arabs is concentrated. It is the focal point
where these cultures are closely.
Climate:
The Sudan has a variety
of climate regions, ranging from the desert in the North to the equatorial
forests in the South. The Red Sea introduces certain maritime
characteristics but these are confined to the narrow coastal plain and the
Eastern slopes of the Red Sea hills.
Wild Life:
According to the climatic
regions in the Sudan, different species of mammals, birds, vegetation's,
reptiles are represented in the different national parks in the country.
Among these national parks is the famous Dinder National Park located at
the Southern part of Sinnar State.
Nimole and Southern NP is in the South, Radoum National Park in the
Western part of the Sudan. Sanganeib, a marine National park of the Red
Sea is a true treasure of water body life.
RESORT AREAS:
for holiday makers Sudan offers
Arkawit:
Summer and winter resort
area known commonly as the evergreen paradise. Arkawit is located on a
high plateau some 205 km. South West Port Sudan. It is a well developed
Summer and Winter resort area sitting on a mountainous region of unspoiled
grandeur with an altitude of 1200m. Above sea level.
Jebel Marra:
In Western Darfur State.
Marra mountain is 3300 m. The second highest in the country, with water
falls, volcanic lakes and an outstanding scenic beauty.
Arusa:
A tourist
village 50 km.
North Port Sudan. It is an alternative diving center equipped with all
accommodation facilities.
Museums and Historical Places:
Khartoum:
Sudan National Museum:
It is an impressive modern
building definitely a must on a Khartoum visit. It's houses, temples,
tombs, inscriptions, frescoes, and antiquities from Sudanese Nubia, in the
Northern Sudan which when threatened with flooding with the construction
of the Aswan dam, were removed to Khartoum. Artifacts on display in the
museum include Egyptian and Nubian objects of antiquity like amulets,
statues, scarabs, bronze cut throat razors, faience, a luggage label made
of wood and the earliest fragment yet found any where of a pile rug.
The Natural History Museum:
It is distinguished for it's
hundreds of species of Sudanese bird life of particular interest too, is
evidence of a tropical period in Khartoum's history several thousands
years ago.
Ethnographical Museum:
Established in 1932.Gives an
idea of country life, economy of the people... etc.
Graphic Museum:
A health education center,
which comprises models and patterns of infectious diseases in the Sudan
and a photographic display.
Omdurman:
The Khlifa's House and the
Tomb of the Mahdi:
Established in 1931. House and
relies from the Mahdia period. The building itself is interesting, built
at the same time as the Mahdi's tomb next door.
Hamad El Nil:
Islam is the dominant religion
and has adherents among almost all the ethnic groups in the Sudan.
Moreover, the Soufi order was and stills a driving force for extending
Islam. The Tomb of Skeikh Hamad El Nil, in Omdurman is an exciting
destination where our visitor can enjoy the spiritual performance of the
Soufies.
Northern Sudan:
Maroe Museum:
Established in the twenties.
Houses the best archeological pieces in the collection, plus a small
display of ethnographical materials.
Wadi Halfa:
Wadi Halfa Museum:
Established in 1927. Houses a
display of archeological and ethnographical materials.
*Other museums are found at different
regional capitals such as Shikan Museum (N. Kordufan), Ali Dinnar Museum
(N. Darfur).
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