The flag bears similarities in colour to the flag of Kenya, and in shape (triangle at the hoist) to the flag of Sudan. In addition, it has a gold star in the triangle. The colours are said to represent the South Sudanese people (black), peace (white), the blood shed for freedom (red), the land (green) and the waters of the Nile (blue); the gold star, the Star of Bethlehem, represents unity of the states of South Sudan.

Area
Total 619,745 km2 (45th)

Described as the last unexplored region in the world, South Sudan is trough-like shaped by highlands, mountains and hills at its eastern, southern and western borders.

Formed from the 10 southern-most states of Sudan, South Sudan is a land of expansive grassland, swamps and tropical rain forest straddling both banks of the White Nile.

The landlocked country is bordered by Ethiopia to the east; Kenya to the southeast; Uganda to the south; the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the southwest; the Central African Republic to the west; and the Sudan to the north. South Sudan includes the vast swamp region of the Sudd formed by the White Nile, locally called the Bahr al Jabal.

The sun rises over the main market in Juba, the south Sudanese city that may become the world's newest capital in a matter of days. In this city of just several hundred thousand people, daily life revolves around the Konyo Konyo market, where everything from fruit sales to automotive repairs take place.

Getting around Juba means catching a ride in a shared van or on a boda-boda, or motorcycle taxi. Years ago, these motorcycle taxis used to ferry people back and forth in the nebulous border region between Kenya and Uganda. The words "border to border" slowly became "boda boda" throughout the region, including here in Southern Sudan.

Capital
Juba

Official languages
English, Arab

Government
Federal presidential democratic republic

Currency
South Sudanese pound

Calling
code +211