The Sudan extends from latitudes 4 to 22 North, and longitudes 22 and 38 East and the topography consists of desert, semi-desert, clay plains and mountains (Geography; History). Sudan is the largest country in Africa, and stretches from Egypt in the north to Uganda in the south. It shares borders with nine other countries: Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda, Zaire, the Central African Republic, and Chad. Sudan gained its independence from British and Egyptian rule in January 1956. It underwent several changes of government before the present system was adopted.
Sudan is a republican state with a federal system as the basis of government, and a President of the republic serving as head of state (Government). The President is directly elected by the voters, unlike in the United States, where the President is elected by the Electoral College. The President in the Sudan appoints two vice-presidents, again differing from the process in the republic of the United States. The national assembly is composed of 225 deputies, mostly freely elected and representing geographic constituencies, with the remainder being appointed by the President. The deputies elect the president of the assembly and he appoints his vice presidents. A council of ministers is appointed by the President, and this is the Executive Branch, which sets policies. The President also appoints state governors and ministers, unlike in the United States, where they are elected by the people. Sudan is divided into 26 states. The National Congress is the only political organization in Sudan and represents people from all walks of life.
The northern third of the country is desert or semi-desert, with a rocky surface and thin soil coverage (Geography). South of the desert lies in the western region of the country, where there are sand dunes with isolated areas of vegetation, and isolated highlands. However, the greater part of the country in the s...