Map of Northern

History

In 2500 BCE, the Kingdom of Kerma was established in what is now modern day Northern State. Kerma was one of the earliest civilizations in sub-Saharan Africa. In 1500 BCE, following the expulsion of the Hyksos, the Egyptians, under Ahmose I turned their attention down south towards the Kermans, and conquered Lower Nubia. Most of Nubia was eventually colonized during the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. Lower Nile levels and a state of deterioration from within forced the Egyptians to withdraw from Nubia.

The power vacuum left behind by the Egyptians was exploited by the Kushites, who established their kingdom in Napata around the ninth century BCE.

Geography

Northern State lies in the far north of Sudan, stretching from the Egyptian border to the Fourth Cataract. The Nile flows through the state from south to north for a length of 650 km. It borders Egypt to the north, River Nile State to the east, Khartoum State to the southeast, and North Darfur, Libya, and North Kordofan to the south and west. Jebel Uweinat, a mountain range on the Egyptian-Libyan-Sudanese tripoint, is located on the far northwest of the state.

The state's geography divides into two main physical zones: the narrow Nile floodplain, and the surrounding desert regions. To the east of the Nile is the Nubian Desert, and to the west lies the Libyan Desert. These desert areas are primarily rocky or stony, with occasional sand dunes, and receive very little rainfall.

Economy

Sudan has an estimated date palm population of approximately 8 million trees with annual production of about 330,000 tons, making it the eighth-largest date producing country in the world. Northern State is the primary center of date palm production within Sudan. Multiple date palm cultivars are grown in the area, including Barakawi, Gondaila, Jaw, Mishrig, Bittamoda, and Madini varieties. The Barakawi cultivar is the most widely cultivated variety. Date palms provide multiple products beyond fruit: the trunk serves as building material and furniture, fibers are used for rope-making and in the construction of Angareeb, a traditional bed strung with date palm fiber, flower stalks are woven into baskets, and pollen grains are consumed mixed with honey.

Demographics

Northern State has a population of 936,255, with 473,690 of them being male, and 462,565 being female. Most residents live in settlements along the Nile, where agriculture is concentrated, while the surrounding desert regions remain sparsely populated.

Arabic is the primary language used in administration, education, and daily life across Northern State. Nobiin is spoken by the Halfawi, Mahas, and Sukkot Nubians from the Egyptian border to the Third Cataract of the Nile. Aandandi is spoken by the Danagla from Dongola to Al Dabbah.

Islam is the predominant religion in Northern State.