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| Khartoum State | |
|---|---|
| Name | Khartoum State |
| Native name | ولاية الخرطوم |
| Type | State |
| Country | Sudan |
| Capital | Khartoum |
| Area total km2 | 220 |
| Population total | 7500000 |
| Population as of | 2018 estimate |
| Timezone | Central Africa Time |
Khartoum State is the most populous and politically central state in Sudan, formed by the confluence of the Blue Nile and White Nile at the city of Khartoum. It encompasses the tripartite metropolitan area of Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri (also known as North Khartoum), serving as the focal point for national institutions such as the Presidency of Sudan, the National Legislature, and the Central Bank of Sudan. The state functions as Sudan's principal hub for diplomacy, finance, and higher education, hosting embassies, multinational firms, and major universities.
Khartoum State lies at the Nile confluence where the White Nile from Uganda and the Blue Nile from Ethiopia merge. The state's terrain is dominated by alluvial plains and river islands such as Tuti Island, with seasonal floodplains influenced by the Sudd basin hydrology and historic irrigation schemes like the Gezira Scheme. Climate is arid to semi-arid, falling within the Sahel ecoclimatic zone and subject to the West African monsoon variability linked to the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Adjacent administrative units include Northern State, River Nile, and White Nile State, while regional transport axes connect to Port Sudan on the Red Sea and overland routes toward Khartoum North and El Obeid.
The area now comprising the state has ancient links to Nubian polities and the medieval Kingdom of Alodia, later integrated into the Funj Sultanate and subject to Ottoman-Egyptian influence during the Turkiyah (Egyptian rule of Sudan). Khartoum's founding in 1821 by Ismail Pasha and subsequent expansion drew merchants, soldiers, and colonial administrators, culminating in the Mahdist War and the 1885 fall of Khartoum during the siege involving Charles George Gordon. The Anglo-Egyptian Condominium (1899–1956) re-established Khartoum as an administrative center, leading to 20th‑century urbanization, Sudanese independence in 1956, postcolonial governance under leaders like Ibrahim Abboud and Jaafar Nimeiry, and rapid growth as a national capital. More recent history includes hosting negotiations and institutions tied to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (2005) and political transitions after the 2019 Sudanese coup d'état.
Khartoum State is administered through a state council seated in Khartoum and subdivided into localities including Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri. It houses federal organs such as the Sudanese Armed Forces headquarters, the Sudan Police Force, and ministries including the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Finance. The state's administrative apparatus interacts with international organizations present in the city, for example the United Nations Mission in Sudan frameworks and agencies like the World Bank, African Development Bank, and International Monetary Fund through development programs.
Khartoum State is ethnically and linguistically diverse, with communities of Sudanese Arabs, Beja, Nubians, Fur, and migrants from Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. Major languages include Arabic and minority languages such as Nubian languages and Beja language. Religious life centers on Sunni Islam, with Christian minorities associated with denominations like the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church and Roman Catholic Church, and communities of other faiths present. Urbanization and internal displacement driven by conflicts in regions such as Darfur and Blue Nile State have shaped the state’s demographic profile.
The state dominates Sudan's service and industrial sectors, hosting the headquarters of firms in finance, petrochemicals, and manufacturing, as well as marketplaces like Omdurman Souq. Key economic actors include the Agricultural Bank of Sudan, export-import businesses dealing with sorghum and gum arabic, and energy utilities tied to the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company. Infrastructure projects funded by multilateral partners such as the Islamic Development Bank and Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa aim to stimulate growth. Challenges include inflation, currency pressures involving the Central Bank of Sudan, and impacts from international sanctions and commodity price fluctuations.
Khartoum State is served by Khartoum International Airport, the A1 Highway linking to Port Sudan, rail connections once operated by the Sudan Railways network, and river transport along the Nile River. Urban transit includes intercity buses, ferry services to islands like Tuti Island, and road bridges such as the Shambat Bridge. Utilities are managed by agencies including the Ministry of Water Resources and state energy companies; projects target water supply from the Roseires Dam and electrification tied to the Merowe Dam and thermal plants.
The state hosts major institutions like University of Khartoum, Sudan University of Science and Technology, and Ahfad University for Women, alongside research centers affiliated with the National Research Centre (Sudan). Medical care centers include Khartoum Teaching Hospital and Omdurman Teaching Hospital, with public health programs coordinated with agencies such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Higher education and medical training support professionals across sectors, while partnerships with universities such as Cairo University and Al-Azhar University have historical links.
Khartoum State contains cultural sites including the Omdurman Mosque, the National Museum of Sudan, and the confluence area with notable promenades and markets like Souq Arabi. Literary and artistic life features figures tied to Mahmoud Mohammed Taha's intellectual legacy, music venues showcasing genres linked to Nuba Mountains traditions, and festivals that attract regional audiences. Architectural landmarks range from colonial-era buildings associated with the Anglo‑Egyptian period to modernist structures housing ministries and international missions. The state's cultural institutions engage with bodies such as the Arab League and the African Union through events and exhibitions.
Category:States of Sudan