Written by Sudanipreneur
One:

The Sudans main export is oil (Although 75% was in the South Sudan, which became a landlocked country relying on the pipelines and refineries in the North to be exported from Port Sudan), sesame, copper, livestock, agriculture, peanuts, Arabic Gum (Along with coke the only two items exempt from Us Sanctions).

Two:

The costal sea town of Suakin was an important city over the centuries, as it is the closest point from Africa to Mekkah and Medina in the Arabian peninsula. It’s importance has reduced with the building of the new city of Port Sudan, which with its deep sea access makes it more viable with the new tankers that regularly cross the Red Sea and into the Suez Canal.

Three:

Following the separation of the two Sudans engaged in a bitter currency war which has created mass hyper inflation for both the newly created currencies which has had quite a devastating impact on both new nations economies and has caused much hardship and a large deterioration on both countries standard of living for the people.

Four:

The Sudanese were the first and only army to break a British Military Square formation, in open warfare, with the Mahadiya Armies gaining many vital victories. (The New Zealand Maoris managed to also break the British Square, but they lured the British into forest and mountain terrains).

Five:

The Mahadiya Army captured Khartoum, with the British ruler in Sudan, General Charles Gordon, known as Chinese Gordon for his victories during the Opium Wars between the British & Chinese, “Controversially killed”, and the Victorious Mahadiya Army allegedly sent the Head to Queen Victoria.

Six: T

he British revenge and reconquest of The Sudan, led by Lord Horatio Kitchener of Khartoum, 1st Earl Kitchener (Most famous for being the face of those “Your Nation needs you” recruitment posters during WW2), with the introduction and first time use of The Machine Gun against the swords and spears of the Mahadiya Armies standing no chance. Kitchener won the decisive Battle of Omdurman, where the Khalifa refused to attack before dusk with the cover of darkness.

Seven:

The University of Khartoum which started life as Gordon College was once one of the best universities in the MENA region along with the University of Damascus, until it was arabized in the 1980’s which led to a fall in the level of research and to its rapid decline in the world rankings.

Eight:

Sudanese are some of the one of the most welcoming, friendly, genuine and and hospitable people anywhere in Africa, many foreigners talk of this during their first visits to Sudan.

Nine:

Sudan is also one of the most tribal and politically active and divided societies, with racism a major plague of the society, as evidenced by Sudan’s place in the Top Three in the list of countries by racism ranking alongside Somalia & Yemen.

Ten:

Sudan has a big challenge figuring out who she is,with a constant battle between Arab and African identity tearing both the people and the country apart, dividing and confusing everything with the lines so blurred and thin it is a hopeless battle with no end.