Most of Sudan's agriculture occurs in these latitudes in a fertile pocket between the Blue and White Niles which meet at Khartoum. Gained independence from the UK in 1956. President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir since 1989. English and many local dialects are widely spoken. Outgoing international calls must go through the operator.
Coverage is available in main towns.
Airmail to Europe takes up to one week. The Sudan Standard and Khartoum Monitor are English dailies. There are English-language magazines entitled New Horizons and Sudan Now . From time to time these change.