Khartoum

Khartoum

Khartoum is the capital city of Sudan. It is the largest city in the country, with about 7.1 million people living there. The city is special because it is where the White Nile and the Blue Nile meet. This place is called al-Mogran or al-Muqran, meaning "The Confluence."

Khartoum has three parts: Khartoum proper, Khartoum North, and Omdurman. These areas are connected by bridges, making it easy to travel between them.

The city was founded in 1821 by Muhammad Ali Pasha. It became important for government when Sudan was ruled by Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Later, in 1956, it became the capital of an independent Sudan.

Today, Khartoum is a center for business and trade in North Africa. It has important places such as the National Museum of Sudan and the University of Khartoum.

Where It Is

Khartoum is where the Blue Nile and the White Nile meet. The city is flat and sits 385 meters above sea level. The Nile River flows past nearby areas toward Shendi, which is about 163 kilometers away.

Fun Facts

• The name Khartoum might come from different places. Some think it means "place where rivers meet" in Dinka, because two rivers join there. Others think it comes from an Arabic word for "trunk" or "hose", describing the narrow land between the rivers.
• Khartoum has many trees along its main streets and is where most of Sudan's business happens.
• The city has the biggest airport in Sudan, called Khartoum International Airport. This airport is the main place for Sudan Airways, the country's biggest airline.