Sudan – 154th Country

Sudan – 154^th Country. To see where I have been so far, check out my map as I count down the final 93 countries on the road to all 193 UN countries. Sudan is my 154^th country.

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Sudan, officially known as the Republic of Sudan, is a country located in northeastern Africa. The region that is now Sudan has a long and complex history, dating back to ancient times. The land was home to various empires, including the Kingdom of Kush and the Meroitic Empire, which flourished between the 8th century BC and the 4th century AD. In the 7th century AD, Islam was introduced to the region by Arab traders and quickly became the dominant religion. Over the centuries, various Islamic kingdoms and sultanates rose to power, including the Funj Sultanate and the Sultanate of Darfur. In the late 19th century, Sudan came under joint British-Egyptian rule and was later granted independence in 1956. However, the country struggled with internal conflicts and civil war throughout much of its early history. In 1989, a military coup led by Omar al-Bashir established an Islamist regime that ruled the country for the next three decades. In 2011, South Sudan seceded from Sudan, becoming an independent nation. Since then, Sudan has undergone significant political upheaval, with a popular uprising in 2019 leading to the ousting of al-Bashir and the establishment of a transitional government. Despite ongoing challenges, including economic struggles and ethnic tensions, Sudan remains an important player in regional and international politics.

Sudan has been on my bucket list for years known for its warm hospitality and rich history. It did not disappoint. The capital in Khartoum offers a spiritual Sufi prayer at a Shrine every Friday. This is not to be missed. I spent a week plus driving the newly sealed roads or desert covered trails in search of remote and little visited pyramids. The Meroe pyramids date back to 3^rd century BC. I took advantage and made three visits to the park. My last visit was at sunrise, and I was the only one.