Welcome to South Sudan 🇸🇸 — a remarkable landlocked destination in Middle Africa. Its official name is Republic of South Sudan, and today around 11.9 million people call this Africa nation home, spread across roughly 619,745 km² of territory.
Below is your complete country profile for South Sudan: key statistics, an introduction to Juba, an interactive map, cultural notes and answers to the questions people most often ask about this corner of Africa.
Geography of South Sudan
Geographically, South Sudan belongs to Middle Africa within Africa. Its territory spans approximately 619,745 km², which makes it the 45th largest country or territory on Earth.
As a landlocked country, South Sudan has no direct access to the open ocean, which has shaped its trade routes, cuisine and history in distinctive ways. It shares land borders with Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda.
The capital city is Juba, the political and cultural heart of the country and usually the first stop for visitors who want to understand how south sudanese life really works.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
People, language and culture
Around 11.9 million people live in South Sudan, making it the 81st most populous country or territory in the world. A person from South Sudan is called a South Sudanese.
The main language spoken here is English. Learning even a handful of phrases before a visit goes a long way with locals.
Beyond the numbers, everyday culture in South Sudan — from markets and music to family traditions — is what makes discovering it through a random spin so rewarding.
Currency, travel and practical facts
The official currency is the South Sudanese pound (SSP, symbol £). Exchange rates fluctuate, so check current rates before travelling.
The international dialling code for South Sudan is +211. Websites from the country typically use the .ss internet domain.
Quiz tip: the three facts most worth memorising about South Sudan are its flag, its capital Juba, and its approximate population of 11.9 million.
Neighbouring countries
South Sudan shares borders with 6 countries:
Fun facts about South Sudan
- South Sudan's flag emoji is 🇸🇸 — its two-letter country code is SS and its three-letter code is SSD.
- South Sudan covers 619,745 km², ranking 45th in the world by area.
- With about 11.9 million people, South Sudan holds the 81st spot in the world population ranking.
- South Sudan is a member state of the United Nations.
- South Sudan is one of the world's landlocked countries — it has no sea coastline.
South Sudan — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of South Sudan?
- The capital of South Sudan is Juba.
- What is the population of South Sudan?
- South Sudan has a population of approximately 11,943,408 people, ranking 81st in the world.
- Where is South Sudan located?
- South Sudan is located in Middle Africa, part of the Africa region. It is a landlocked country.
- What language is spoken in South Sudan?
- The main language spoken in South Sudan is English.
- What currency is used in South Sudan?
- South Sudan uses the South Sudanese pound (SSP).
