Sudan Images
When we think of images of the Sudan, they are normally of conflict, starvation and famine, with children desperate for a safe and secure future, a future that following the recent
referendum confirming the south as an independent
nation, may possibly be less bleak than the the past few decades have proved to be with millions dead
and displaced through civil war and what some describe as
genocide in Darfur.
 This video, produced by a citizen of Sudan, attempts to provide some positive images of Sudan
against a background of Sudan music and poetry. Of course, such
images do not detract from the overall situation in Sudan, but
provide a balance, as for many, particularly in the north
and north east of the country, the troubles of that land are not
a daily occurrence and many live their lives in relative calm
and safety.
Sudan itself, with its population of around 34 million is situated
in north-east Africa and is bordered to its north by Eritrea and Ethiopia to its east,
Kenya and Uganda to its south-east, South Sudan to its south, the Democratic Republic of
the Congo and the Central African Republic to its south-west,
Chad to its west and Libya
to its north-west.
It covers an area
around a third the size of the USA. Sudan's topography (right) is dominated by desert in the north of the
country that creates sandstorms as well as regular droughts,
with a flat featureless plain in its centre and mountain ranges
in the south, west and north-east. Both the White and Blue Nile
flow through Sudan, meeting close to Khartoum
before continuing its journey north into Egypt and flowing out
into the Mediterranean Sea.
Whilst there are ongoing travel alerts, if you do visit Sudan
take in the National Museum in Khartoum with its exhibits dating
back to the time of the Pharaohs. The small Ethnographical
Museum in Khartoum will also interest those who want an insight
into Sudan village life with its collection of hunting
implements, instruments and other daily artefacts.
Also try and
visit the beautiful and peaceful Sabaloka Gorge on the River Nile
as well as a tour on the Nile itself and then Suakin Island originally
developed by Ramesses III in the 10th century BCE as a strategic
port for trade and exploration; a position it held for 3000 years.
Whilst nowadays mostly ruins, it remains a popular tourist
attraction and its port still ferries thousands of pilgrims
across to Saudi Arabia each year to complete their Haj; the
Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.
This video provides images of Sudan and gives a wider view of the country from how it is widely
perceived; as a dusty, hot, barren land.
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