Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos

South Sudan: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last updated

News •

South Sudan’s elections next month risk unraveling a fragile peace, envoys warn • Nov. 11, 2026, 9:34 AM ET (Washington Post)
Uganda, Somalia, South Sudan among 11 African nations on US travel warning list • Nov. 10, 2026, 6:52 AM ET (The Standard)
Drone strike on a market in disputed African region of Abyei kills at least 153 • Oct. 21, 2026, 12:59 AM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As southern Sudan
Head Of State And Government President: Salva Kiir Mayardit
Capital Juba4
Population (2026 est.) 16,367,000
Form Of Government transitional government1 with two legislative houses (Transitional National Legislative Assembly [5502]; Council of States [1003])
Official Language English5
Official Religion none
Official Name The Republic of South Sudan
Total Area (Sq Km) 644,329
Total Area (Sq Mi) 248,777
Monetary Unit South Sudan pound (SSP)6, 7
Population Rank (2026) 74
Population Projection 2030 18,682,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2026) 65.8
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2026) 25.4
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2024) 21.6% • Rural: (2024) 78.4%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: not available • Female: not available
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2015) 11,669
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2015) 1,050
1In an attempt to end the civil conflict that began in December 2013, a transitional government of national unity was formed on April 28, 2016.2Appointed by the president.3Appointed by the president.4The transferring of the capital to Ramciel was approved in late 2011 to be implemented in phases.5English is the official working language of South Sudan; according to the constitution “all indigenous languages are national languages and shall be respected, developed, and promoted.” 6The South Sudan pound was entered into circulation on July 18, 2011; it replaced the Sudanese pound (SDG) as the official currency.7The U.S. dollar along with the currencies of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda circulate in South Sudan when available.

Photos

South Sudan
Political map of South Sudan showing its national borders with Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic. Major cities such as Juba, Malakal, Bentiu, Wau, and Bor are labeled. The map highlights the disputed Abyei region along the northern border with Sudan, noted as having its final status yet to be determined. An inset in the lower left shows South Sudan's location within Africa.
Two children in Terekeka, South Sudan, smile at the camera as one carries a tray of cooked corn on her head. A blue metal gate and wooden fence are visible in the background.
Map of northeastern Africa highlighting South Sudan in orange at the center, with its capital Juba marked. Surrounding countries-Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Central African Republic-are labeled in black text. Major bodies of water, including the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, are also shown.
Physical map of South Sudan highlighting major rivers, wetlands, and national parks. Key features include the White Nile River running north through the country, the large Al-Sudd swamp in the center, Southern National Park and Boma National Park, the Ironstone Plateau in the west, and Mount Kinyeti near the southern border. The map also marks the disputed Abyei region along the northern border with Sudan and shows neighboring countries: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Aerial view of green savanna vegetation with scattered trees and a winding river, photographed over Southern Sudan during the rainy season.
White Nile River
Round thatched-roof huts called tukul in a village in southern Sudan, with a few people standing among the huts and rocky hills in the background.
Aerial view of Juba, the capital of South Sudan, with the city on the left and the wide, winding Nile River flowing through green landscape on the right.
A simple roadside shop in Terekeka, South Sudan, with groceries and cellphone airtime for sale displayed on tables and shelves under a makeshift shelter of wood, tarp, and thatch.
National anthem of South Sudan
See All Images, Audio and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic
Salva Kiir Mayardit
Salva Kiir Mayardit
president of South Sudan

Related Places

A map of the continent of Africa, including its countries, boundaries, and capital cities. It also shows parts of Europe and Asia and surrounding bodies of water, including the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean.
Africa
continent
Bahr Al-Jabal
Juba
national capital, South Sudan
default image
Wau
South Sudan
default image
Rumbek
South Sudan
default image
Malakal
South Sudan
Map of the Horn of Africa, highlighting the core countries of Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti in solid light green, with Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda shown in striped light green to indicate broader definitions. Surrounding countries and bodies of water, including the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean, are also labeled. An inset globe marks the region's location in Africa.
Horn of Africa
region, eastern Africa
Al-Sudd, South Sudan
Al-Sudd
swamp, South Sudan
default image
Baḥr al-Ghazāl
river, South Sudan
default image
Fula Rapids
rapids, South Sudan
default image
Baḥr al-Zarāf
river, South Sudan
default image
Sobat River
river, Africa
default image
Kotto River
river, north-central Africa

Related Quizzes

Actual continental drift of plates. Thematic map.
Geography Fun Facts
10:087 Ocean: The World of Water, two globes showing eastern and western hemispheres
You Name It!
Mount Kenya in Mount Kenya National Park is the highest mountain in Africa. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Giant Lobelia in foreground. (Mt. Kenya; Mt. Kenya National Park; mountains; rugged mountain; African geography, African landscape, stratovolcano)
Africa’s Physical Features
Brown globe on antique map. Brown world on vintage map. North America. Green globe. Hompepage blog 2009, history and society, geography and travel, explore discovery
Match the Country with Its Hemisphere Quiz
Flags of the world against blue sky. Countries, International. Globalization, global relations, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Poland, Palestine, Japan. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society
Which Country Is Larger By Population? Quiz
Church of Saint George (Bet Giyorgis), Lalibela, Ethiopia. UNESCO World Heritage site.
Geography of Africa Quiz
Brown globe on antique map. Brown world on vintage map. North America. Green globe. Hompepage blog 2009, history and society, geography and travel, explore discovery
Countries & Their Features
Flags of all countries of the world. Flags of the world. National flags. Country flags. Hompepage blog 2009, history and society, geography and travel, explore discovery
The Country Quiz
Flags of the world. National flags. Country flags. Hompepage blog 2009, history and society, geography and travel, explore discovery
Countries of the World
Catedral at night on Plaza de Armas (also known as plaza mayor) Lima, Peru.
Capital Cities of the Countries of the Northern Hemisphere Quiz
7:023 Geography: Think of Something Big, globe showing Africa, Europe, and Eurasia
Which Country Is Larger By Area? Quiz
Opened passport with visas, stamps, seals, world map. (travel, tourism)
Guess the Country by Its Neighbors Quiz
Flags of all nations of the world. Grouping of various country flags on a world map.
Which Country Is Larger? Quiz