Geography of Sudan

The geography of Sudan is marked by the gradual transition from a virtually rainless desert region of the Nubian and the Western Desert in the north and one in the center of subsequent savannah landscape that borders the rain forest zone in the far south. The country is part of the large landscape Sudan and the Sahel. The level structure is determined by the basin landscape of the Nile and its mountain ranges.

In the north- east, the mountains of the Jibal al -Bahr al - rises ahmar on the Red Sea, which reaches a height of up to 2,259 m. In the southern areas bordering Uganda is located in the mountain Kinyeti Immatong Mountains, is the highest mountain in the country with 3,187 m. The southwestern edge of the pool represent the North Equatorial threshold and the Central African threshold, which also form the watershed between the Nile and the Congo system. In the West, a basalt mountain rises on the Marra plateau, whose highest point is 3,088 m the mountain Marra and the geographical border is the Chad Basin. In the center the Nuba Mountains, which are high between 500 m and 1,325 m rise. In the north of the country goes on both sides of the Nile in the Sahara, the part west of the Nile are known as Libyan Desert and the part east of the Nile as the Nubian Desert. In the region around Khartoum, where the White Nile and Blue Nile to the actual Nile flow together, spread wide, flat sound levels from. Southern Sudan is predominantly shaped by flood and swamp, the Sudd is the largest contiguous marsh.

Climate

The climate in Sudan is, generally speaking, tropical to randtropisch. As the country but in terms of area is the largest of the entire African continent, it is hardly surprising that its climate is not uniform. Roughly it can be said that it is always warm to hot in Sudan, and that the rainfall from north to south greatly augmented. As in all Tropenklimaten there is also a rainy season, which, however, really only covers the southern half of the country.

A more detailed description climate can in any case be based on five major climate regions in Sudan. Thus one finds in the far north and throughout the North West before an always dry desert climate, which is dominated by the Sahara. The center of the country is divided into a dry and hot in a moderately hot and humid area, while to the south it extends the humid tropical zone. Another different climate region is the coastal strip along the Red Sea.

Always dry desert climate

The north and north- west of Sudan bordering the Sahara and is divided into two main sections desert: the Nubian Desert and the foothills of the Libyan Desert. This region is characterized by mild winters and hot summers, with daytime temperatures in summer can exceed 50 ° C, while in the winter half of the year the nights are often chilly. Throughout the year, considerable fluctuations in temperature between day and night come about, which can be up to 30 ° C when the temperature drops, for example, in February at night to nearly 0 ° C to rise on the day to 25 ° C and more. Winters are generally with temperature values ​​by an average of 6 to 12 ° C at night and 20-27 ° C during the day quite enjoyable. From mid- April, however, the long, hot and dry summer dust starts, which lasts until mid-October. The mean values ​​for this amount to 20-26 ° C at night and 37-43 ° C during the day. The humidity is low to moderate with 30-40 % in winter and in summer is very low ( 10-25 %), which makes the heat more bearable, however. The area is also as good as niederschlagslos. It is possible that over the years through not a drop of rain falls. The number of days with some precipitation usually fluctuates between 0 and 4 mm per year. Another characteristic of this region are occurring mainly in spring and autumn, sometimes called heavy dust and sand storms, Haboob. This climate refers to cities such as Wadi Halfa, Abu Hamad, Kerma and Bir al - Altrun.

Hot dry area

The center of the country of the Jazirah level in the south to the Butana region in the east is characterized by a dry, hot climate, which is no longer but only desert-like. Here it is hot all year round, but there is a peculiarity: the climate graphs show a two -wave curve: In the winter you have to expect with average day and night temperatures of around 16 and 31 ° C. After a rapid rise in temperature in March is the spring for the hottest period of 40-43 ° C during the day ( peak values ​​at 47 ° C) and about 27 ° C at night. This is followed by a marked drop in temperature in mid-summer, in the foothills of the rainy season make themselves felt in the South, while the daily values ​​climb in the fall again to 40 ° C. In the nights it is still warm with about 25 ° C before it is slightly cooler in November. The humidity is low throughout the year (10-30%) and increases only in July and August slightly. The precipitate is very limited and usually reaches only 200 mm, which corresponds to about 15 days of rain per year, which are almost exclusively limited to the summer. Early summer and autumn is the time of dust and sandstorms ( Haboob ). This climate is true for the capital, Khartoum, Atbara, Kassala and the like.

Moderately hot and humid area

Not far from the area described above is the center of the south-western Sudan extending from Kordofan in the center to Darfur in the west. Its climate is very similar to that of the adjacent northeastern center, except a little more moderate temperatures and noticeably higher rainfall. Winters are warm ( 14 ° C at night, 30 during the day), the spring is the hottest season ( 20-24 and 36-40 ° C ) and subsequently the summer with occasional rains at 31-33 ° C followed by a day. The nights stay at this time warm ( 22 ° C). The fall recorded usually a slight rise in temperature to 36 ° C during the day at constant values ​​night before winter brings some moderation back into temperature play. The humidity here is already higher and rises to 70 % in summer, which the 33 ° C, however, makes almost unbearable as, for example, 38 ° C in a dry May The rainfall amounted to between 400 and 500 mm and are so marked higher than in Greater Khartoum. This climate can be found in front of the towns of Al - Ubayyid to - Nahud or Nyala, for example.

Humidity tropical region

The southern provinces of Sudan, especially Bahr al - Ghazal and the Sudd are characterized by summer moist, tropical climate, which exactly is inversely related to that in the north. The winter half of the year falls in this region of hot, with daytime temperatures around 36 ° C to 40 ° C. occasionally At night it cools down to 20 ° C. The summer months are characterized by an up to eight-month rainy season, which pushes the temperatures at 30-33 ° C. In the nights it stays warm (21-23 ° C). This time is muggy due to the high humidity ( 70-80 %)., The heavy rainfalls usually take from late April to early October, with peak in July and August, where it can rain a month to up to 18 days. The total rainfall is 700-1100 mm and is by far the highest in the country. In this region are the towns of Malakal, Buo, Juba and Wau.

Coastal strip

The eastern climatic region in Sudan is limited to the narrow coastal strip along the Red Sea. In addition to the port city of Port Sudan lie in this region only smaller places such as at- Taib in the south, the former port city Sawakin up to Aidhab on the Egyptian border. This area is winter warm and summer hot. In January and February the temperatures are 26-27 ° C during the day and about 19 ° C at night without major fluctuations. Summers are hot and humid with daily average values ​​around 40 ° C (peak up to 47 ° C), it hardly cools in the nights (28-30 ° C). The humidity is relatively high throughout the year (50-75 %). In addition to the summer rainy season, the dry season in the rest of the country, forceful short rains are on the coast in November and December, possible. The sea is warm all year round at 25-31 ° C.