South Sudan

Did you know?

• 🦓An extraordinary and youngest nation on the planet, located in East Africa. South Sudan gained its independence in 2011 after decades of struggle, and today it reveals its vast savannahs, rich tribal cultures and untouched wildlife to the world.
• 🏳️The flag of South Sudan, originally used as the banner of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), was officially adopted as the national flag in 2011. The black stripe on top represents the black African people of South Sudan, who make up the indigenous majority of the country. The red stripe in the middle symbolizes the blood shed by millions of patriots and freedom fighters during the long struggle for independence. The green stripe on the bottom stands for the nation's fertile land, agricultural wealth, lush forests and natural resources. The thin white stripes represent the hard-won peace following decades of conflict. The blue triangle at the hoist represents the waters of the Nile River (specifically the White Nile), which flows through the heart of the country, giving it life. The golden star represents the Star of Bethlehem, symbolizing the guiding light, national unity of the states and the hope and determination of the South Sudanese people.
• 👶The youngest country in the world — South Sudan holds the official distinction of being the newest internationally recognized sovereign state on Earth. It declared its independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011, following a historic self-determination referendum where over 98% of voters chose secession.
• 🌾The Sudd — a gigantic wetland — South Sudan is home to The Sudd, one of the world's largest wetlands and the largest freshwater swamp in the Nile Basin. During the wet season, this massive flooded grassland expands to an area larger than England (over 130,000 square kilometers), forming a pristine sanctuary for millions of migratory birds and wildlife.
• 🦌The second-largest animal migration on Earth — though widely overlooked due to past conflicts, South Sudan's Boma and Bandingilo National Parks host an incredible annual migration of over 1.3 million kob and tiang antelopes. This spectacular wildlife phenomenon is second only to the legendary Great Migration of the Serengeti.