Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English
note: program of "Arabization" in process

Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum), indigenous beliefs 25%

Sudan's economy is booming on the back of increases in oil production, high oil prices, and large inflows of foreign direct investment. GDP growth registered more than 10% per year in 2006 and 2007.

Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF): Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Popular Defense Forces; Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA): Land Forces.

The Government of Sudan requires all travelers to present a passport and an entry visa.  Most travelers must obtain the entry visa before arrival; only American citizens who also possess a Sudanese national identification document (such as a Sudanese passport or national identification card) may apply for an entry visa at Khartoum International Airport.  The Government of Sudan routinely denies visas to travelers whose passports contain visas issued by the Government of Israel or other evidence of travel to Israel such as exit or entry stamps. 

Travelers must obtain an exit visa before departure from Sudan as well as pay any airport departure tax not included in the traveler’s airline ticket.  Travelers with expired entry visas or residence permits are regularly refused exit visas absent a written request from the Sudanese sponsor of the visa.  Spouses and children of Sudanese citizens are generally required by the Sudanese authorities to demonstrate permission of the Sudanese spouse/parent when applying for exit visas to depart Sudan.  Visitors may obtain the latest information and further details from the Embassy of Sudan, 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel.: 202-338-8565.

Travel permits issued by the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) or by the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC) are not adequate for entry to the country, although travelers may find these documents useful to present to local authorities while in the south.  Personal baggage, including computers, is routinely searched upon arrival in and departure from Sudan.  The authorities will seize material deemed objectionable, such as alcohol or pornography, and may detain or arrest the traveler.  Travelers intending to bring electronic items should inquire about entry requirements when they apply for a visa; restrictions apply to many devices, including video cameras, satellite phones, facsimile machines, televisions, and telephones.  Travelers are not allowed to depart Sudan with ivory, certain other animal products, or large quantities of gold. 
All visitors must register at the Ministry of Interior within three days of arrival in Sudan.  All foreigners traveling more than 25 kilometers outside of Khartoum must obtain a travel permit from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs in Khartoum.  Travelers without such a permit risk detention by Sudanese authorities.  This applies to all travel, including private, commercial, and humanitarian activities.  Travelers must register again with the police within 24 hours of arrival at their destination outside of Khartoum.  The government requires a separate travel permit for travel to Darfur.  These regulations are strictly enforced and even travelers with proper documentation may expect delay or temporary detention from the security forces, especially outside the capital.  Authorities expect travelers to strictly respect roadblocks and other checkpoints. 

Travelers who wish to take any photographs must obtain a photography permit from the Government of Sudan, Ministry of Interior, Department of Aliens. 

On April 30, the Government of Sudan’s (GOS) Ministry of Animal Resources issued a decree prohibiting the importation of all animals, including domestic pets, or animal products into Sudan until further notice. The Government of Sudan maintains that this new ban is necessary to protect its citizens from 2009-H1N1 Influenza, sometimes referred to as swine flu, that it believes could be transmitted by animals. Airport authorities are strictly enforcing the ban.   Travelers are advised not to seek to enter Sudan with animals of any kind while the current policy, which the edict says is indefinite, remains in effect.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.

Airports:  101, Airports w/paved runways:  16

US Dept. of State Travel Warning Updated 03/09/09
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_934.html

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Sudan and recommends that American citizens defer all travel to Sudan due to uncertain security conditions following the expulsion of NGOs as well as harassment of humanitarian aid workers, employees of non-governmental organizations, and westerners in general.  The Department of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and family members at the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum until further notice.  This Travel Warning for Sudan replaces the Travel Warning issued on February 26, 2009, to note the Embassy's authorized departure status and the potential for violence in Sudan.
The government of Sudan recently expelled numerous aid groups from the country and senior government officials have publicly called humanitarian aid workers "spies."  Officials from the Sudan Humanitarian Affairs Commission have seized the finances and assets of many of these organizations, as well personal property of aid workers, including passports and laptop computers.  
Recent protests have featured sharp anti-western rhetoric.  There is a continuing possibility that ongoing protests may encourage violent action against Europeans and Americans.
U.S. citizens residing in Sudan despite the Travel Warning should have their own contingency plans to depart the country independent of the Embassy. U.S. citizens should be prepared to leave Sudan in the event of an emergency, given the volatile political/security environment. The U.S. Embassy is committed to assisting U.S. citizens to the extent possible, but the Embassy's ability to assist Americans is limited, and dependant on the permissiveness of the security environment in Sudan.
On January 1, 2008, two American Embassy employees were assassinated while traveling in their vehicle in Khartoum. In May 2008, the city of Omdurman, adjacent to Khartoum, was attacked by armed militias. The Embassy has implemented heightened security measures to protect Embassy personnel in Sudan, which include obtaining advance permission for all travel and modes of transportation to be used. A trial is ongoing.
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against all travel to Sudan, particularly in the Darfur area, where violence between Sudanese Government forces and various armed militias continues. Americans and Europeans have been victims of carjackings and armed robberies while traveling in Sudan. Land travel at night should be avoided.
Travelers are reminded that the U.S. Government has received information on terrorist threats aimed at American and European interests in Sudan. Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, or kidnappings. U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places, including tourist sites and locations where expatriates are known to congregate, and commercial operations associated with U.S. or European interests. Anti-American/European demonstrations periodically occur, mostly in the capital city of Khartoum.
Travel anywhere in Sudan, including Khartoum and the adjacent town of Omdurman, is potentially dangerous. Militia forces have instigated sporadic violence and have attacked locations in Southern Sudan. Threats have been made against foreigners working in the oil industry in Upper Nile state.
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas, to review emergency procedures and contingency plans, and to remain aware of their surroundings at all times.  American citizens in Sudan should ensure they have enough water, food, and supplies in stock in the event of an emergency.  The dynamic political situation may require the U.S. Embassy in Sudan to close for safety and security reasons without much advance notice.  The Embassy will nevertheless endeavor to notify American citizens of any such closures via warden message, posted at http://sudan.usembassy.gov/warden_messages.html.
U.S. citizens should note that the Embassy varies its operating hours without advance notice due to the dynamic political and security situation.  Services for U.S. citizens are available by appointment only.  Requests for an appointment can be made by e-mailing KhartoumConsular@state.gov.  American citizens may request emergency services at any time, but the ability of the U.S. Embassy to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency is limited.
The U.S. Embassy is located at Sharia Ali Abdul Latif, Khartoum; tel. (249-183)774-700/1/2/3 (outside Sudan); tel (0183) 774-700/1/2/3 (inside Sudan).  U.S. citizens may contact the consular section by phone or email KhartoumConsular@state.gov.  Additional information and U.S. Embassy warden messages are available on our website: http://sudan.usembassy.gov/.  For after-hours emergencies, please call (249-183) 774-7000/1/2/3 and ask to be connected to the duty officer.
U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's Country Specific Information for Sudan and the Worldwide Caution, both located on the Department's Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.  Safety and security is also available toll-free at 1-888-407-4747 from within the United States and Canada, or at regular toll rates at 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the United States and Canada, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Infant MR total:  86.98 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:  TOTAL 50.28 years  (male 49.38/female 51.23)

Required: None
Recommended: Yellow Fever, Hep A & B, Typhoid, Rabies, Polio, Meningococcal, Boosters: MMR, DPT, as needed.

Malaria is prevalent in all areas of Sudan. The strain is resistant to chloroquine and can be fatal. Consult a health practitioner before traveling, obtain suitable anti-malarial drugs, and use protective measures, such as insect repellent, protective clothing, and mosquito nets. For additional information about malaria and anti-malarial drugs please see the Center for Disease Control travelers’ health web site, http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/index.htm.
Officially, people with HIV are not granted a visa and are not permitted to enter Sudan. A negative HIV test result must be presented at a Sudanese embassy or at Khartoum airport in order to obtain a visa. Please confirm this requirement with the Embassy of Sudan at www.sudanembassy.org.
HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDs: 400,000

Individuals with medical conditions which may require treatment are discouraged from traveling to Sudan. Medical facilities in Khartoum fall short of US standards; outside the capital, very few facilities exist and hospitals and clinics are poorly equipped. Travelers must pay cash in advance for any medical treatment. Ambulance services are not available. Medicines are available only intermittently; travelers should bring sufficient supplies of needed medicines in clearly-marked containers.

Dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and onchocerciasis (river blindness) are other diseases carried by insects that also occur in Central Africa. African trypanosomiasis (African sleeping sickness) has increased in Africa.  Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, can be contracted in fresh water in this region. Do not swim in fresh water (except in well-chlorinated swimming pools) in these countries. (For more information, please see Swimming and Recreational Water Safety.)

 Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) has been found in poultry populations in several countries in Africa. Avoid all direct contact with birds, including domestic poultry (such as chickens and ducks) and wild birds, and avoid places such as poultry farms and bird markets where live birds are raised or kept. Updates from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Other risks to travelers to Central, East, and West African countries include typhoid and paratyphoid fever, amebiasis, and brucellosis.
For more information, see the Geographic Distribution of Potential Health Hazards to Travelers and Goals and Limitations in determining actual disease risks by destination.

Country Code:  +249
Internet Code:  .sd