What Is the Population Density of Sudan?

What is the population density of Sudan?  The average population density of Sudan is 16.9 people per square kilometre, or 43.7 people per square mile.  Let’s look at some other interesting facts about the Sudanese and their country.

The population density of Sudan, officially called the Republic of Sudan, is highest around their capital city of Khartoum, which has over five million people, Omdurman, which has over two million people, and in the surrounding areas near the Blue Nile River and the White Nile River.  The overall population density of Sudan is 16.9 people per square kilometre. 

Of the 42 million people who live in Sudan, around 68 percent of them live in rural areas.  The growth of their population is 2.7%, and life expectancy is around 54 years.  The irth rate is 33.74 births per 1000 population, the fertility rate is 4.37 children born/woman, and the infant mortality rate is 82.43 deaths per 1000 live births. 

Major Cities in the Republic of the Sudan

Two of the main cities in Sudan are Khartoum and Omdurman, and the population density of Sudan is high there.  These two cities make up the commercial and cultural heart of the country.   

Omdurman

Omdurman is known for its many markets and its industrial center. It is the center for commerce in Sudan and many consider it the unofficial capital.  It has theatres, radio and television stations, and schools for music and drama.  Every Friday, you can see the Sufi Muslims, called Whirling Dervishes, as they twirl and dance to the beat of drums until they go into a trance.  During this ritual they say they communicate with Allah and are cleansed of evil.  It ends when the believers are called to evening prayer.

Khartoum

Khartoum is the capital city of Sudan and gets its name from the Arabic meaning “end of an elephant’s trunk”.  It was named this because of the strip of land between the Blue Nile River and the White Nile River.  These two rivers meet in Khartoum of form the Nile River.  Because of the wealth from oil, the city has a thriving economy, with well-planned streets and much economic activity.  Some of the industries include the making of glass, printing, textiles, and food processing.  

Geography and Climate of Sudan

Now that you know about the population density of Sudan and you have some information about her commerce and culture, it is also important to understand how geography and climate impact where people live and the population density.

First of all, Sudan is surrounded by nine countries:

• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Eritrea
• Uganda
• Kenya
• Central African Republic
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Libya
• Chad

The Red Sea borders Sudan on the northeast.

Sudan is mostly comprised of flat plains interspersed with mountain ranges.  These include Jebel Marra, Nuba, and the Red Sea Hills.  The highest mountain is Mount Kinyeti Imatong.

Of course, the major feature of Sudan is the Nile River, which traverses the entire country.  The Blue Nile and White Nile Rivers join to become the Nile River which flows north into Egypt and then the Mediterranean Sea.

The northern part of Sudan is arid, containing the Nubian Desert.  There are sandstorms here that can block the sun called haboob.  There is a very short three month rainy season.  Conditions change as you travel south in Sudan, where there is much more rain.  The rainy season here lasts for six months and there are rainforests and swamps. 

Petroleum is the major natural resource of Sudan, followed by: gold, silver, copper, chromium, iron, mica, tungsten, uranium, gypsum, and manganese.  

Environmentally, there are several serious concerns in Sudan.  There is inadequate clean water, soil erosion, desertification, and declining wildlife because of hunting and warfare.

Some endangered species are: four species of gerbils (Burton’s, Four-spotted, Lowe’s, and Principal), African wild ass, addax, chimpanzee, dama gazelle, Nubian Ibex, slender-horned gazelle, Grevy’s zebra, giant African water shrew, and the wild dog.  Other species are vulnerable, like the African elephant, cheetah, spotted-necked otter, and several species of bats and gazelles.