South Sudan is a sovereign country in Middle Africa, in the wider region of Africa. The long form of the name is Republic of South Sudan. Juba is the capital.
Around 11.9 million people live there, placing it 81st of 250 by population — between Tunisia above it and Belgium below. Among the 10 entries in Middle Africa it ranks 5th by area and 5th by population.
By land area it covers 619,745 km², which ranks it 45th of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind the Central African Republic and just ahead of Ukraine. That makes it a little larger than Kenya.
Location, borders and position
Plotted on a globe it falls at 7.0° north, 30.0° east, which puts it in the northern hemisphere, roughly 779 km from the equator, in what geographers would call the equatorial belt.
Follow that same latitude east or west and you reach Venezuela, Ivory Coast and Guyana — places that share its distance from the equator but little else.
Its land neighbours number 6: the Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. The largest of them by area is DR Congo, while the most populous is Ethiopia. Together those neighbours hold about 403.6 million people.
It has no sea coast of its own. That is true of 45 of the 250 entries here, and it means every shipment in or out has to cross someone else's border first. 3 of its neighbours, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia and Uganda, are landlocked too. You can see the full picture on the landlocked countries page.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Population and languages of South Sudan
Population divided by land area gives roughly 19 people per square kilometre, which makes it less crowded than the typical entry on this list. Half the entries in this dataset fall below roughly 90 per square kilometre.
The one official language is English. English is one of the widely shared official languages here, listed by 90 other entries including American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda and Australia.
People from South Sudan are called South Sudanese.
Inside Africa it places 32nd of 59 by population, and it accounts for 5.3% of everyone living in Middle Africa.
Currency, domain and dialling code
Money there is the South Sudanese pound (£, SSP). No other entry in this dataset uses it, so the currency is specific to South Sudan.
Juba is the seat of government and the answer most quizzes are looking for.
Websites there use the .ss domain. The international dialling code is +211. Its ISO codes are ss and SSD, which is what most databases and flag files use.
As a sovereign state it is among the 193 UN members listed here. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.
Neighbouring countries
South Sudan shares borders with 6 countries:
Fun facts about South Sudan
- It lies about 779 km from the equator, in equatorial latitudes.
- Its full official name is Republic of South Sudan.
- Websites based there use the .ss domain.
- It shares land borders with 6 countries: the Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda.
- People from South Sudan are known as South Sudanese.
- Population density works out at roughly 19 people per square kilometre.
South Sudan — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of South Sudan?
- The capital of South Sudan is Juba.
- Which countries border South Sudan?
- South Sudan borders 6 countries: the Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. DR Congo is the largest of them by area.
- How big is South Sudan?
- South Sudan covers 619,745 km², ranking 45th of 250 by land area. That makes it a little larger than Kenya.
- Is South Sudan landlocked?
- Yes. South Sudan has no sea coast, which makes it one of 45 landlocked entries in this dataset. Everything it imports or exports by sea has to cross a neighbour's territory first, and that transit dependency is a well-documented drag on trade costs.
- Is South Sudan a country?
- Yes. South Sudan is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.
- What currency does South Sudan use?
- South Sudan uses the South Sudanese pound, written £ (currency code SSP). No other entry in this dataset uses it.
- What language is spoken in South Sudan?
- The official language of South Sudan is English. It is also official in 90 other entries on this list.
- What is the population of South Sudan?
- South Sudan has a population of about 11.9 million, which makes it the 81st most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. Tunisia sits just above it and Belgium just below.
- Where is South Sudan located?
- South Sudan is in Middle Africa, part of Africa. Its reference coordinates are 7.0° north and 30.0° east, roughly 779 km from the equator in equatorial latitudes.
