All

Nation No. 193

Official Name - The
Republic of South Sudan

President - Salva Kiir Mayardit, 60, battle-hardened army officer, fond of
cowboy hats

National Anthem - God Bless South Sudan, with verses dedicated to the
motherland and the great patriots

Flag - Black, red and green horizontal stripes, with a gold star in a blue
triangle

Population - 8.5 million estimated

Religion - Mostly Christian (Anglican, Catholic), but many practice
traditional African beliefs

Main towns - Juba (capital), Wau, Yei, Rumbek, Malakal

Borders - Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, DR Congo, Central African Republic, Sudan

Area - 225,000 sq miles, roughly equal to France or Texas

Currency - Not yet decided. Currently the Sudanese Pound

Exports - Oil

Independence Day - July 9, 2011