South Sudan

Republic of South Sudan

Junhuriyat Janub Al-Sudan

Political Status: Independent republic established in 2011; transitional constitution approved on July 7, 2011.

Area: 967,494 sq. mi. (2,505,813 sq. km).

Population: 8,260,490 (2011E).

Major Urban Centers (Population in 2012 based on the 1993 Census): Juba (250,000).

Official Language: English.

Monetary Unit: South Sudanese Pound (market rate November 5, 2012: 3.18 pounds = $1US). The South Sudanese pound was introduced after independence in 2011.

President and Prime Minister: Salva KIIR Mayardit (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement); sworn in on July 9, 2011, following independence; previously appointed as president of the autonomous regional government of South Sudan (GOSS) on August 11, 2005, to succeed John GARANG (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement), who died in a helicopter crash on July 30, 2005; reappointed on May 28, 2010, following presidential elections ...