South Sudan is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa, bordered by Sudan to the north, Ethiopia to the east, Kenya to the south, Uganda to the west, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the southwest. Its capital is Juba, and it has a population of approximately 12 million people. South Sudan is the world’s newest independent state, having declared its independence from Sudan in 2011.
The history of South Sudan is long and complex, with the country’s various ethnic and linguistic groups having been in contact with one another since at least the 5th century CE. The region was part of the Kingdom of Kush, which was conquered by the Kingdom of Aksum in the 6th century CE.
The region was then conquered by the Funj Sultanate in the 16th century, and in the 19th century, it became part of the Ottoman Empire. After World War I, the region was divided between Britain and Egypt, and in 1956, it became part of the newly independent Sudan.
South Sudan has a long and rich cultural heritage, with many of its ethnic groups having their own distinct languages, customs, and traditions. The Dinka people are the largest ethnic group in South Sudan, and their language, Dinka, is the most widely spoken. Other major ethnic groups include the Nuer, Shilluk, and Murle.
The region has also been influenced by Christianity and Islam, with the majority of South Sudanese being either Christian or Muslim. In recent years, South Sudan has been plagued by violence and civil war, as various factions have fought for control of the country.
In 2011, South Sudan declared its independence from Sudan, and the country is now in the process of rebuilding its economy and infrastructure. Despite the ongoing violence, there is hope that South Sudan will eventually find peace and stability.