Juba, South Sudan
Region: Central Equatoria
Geographic Coordinates: 4.850000, 31.600000
Temperature Range: 25.0°C to 40.0°C (77°F to 104°F)
Climate: Dry and hot climate with two rainy seasons: April to May and October to November.
Population: 525953
Language: English
Juba is the capital city of South Sudan with a population of around 500, 000 people. The city is situated on the banks of the White Nile River and has a unique blend of traditional African culture and modern amenities. South Sudan has a rich history dating back thousands of years, And Juba’s region was inhabited by various ethnic groups for centuries before becoming part of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan in 1899. After a lengthy struggle for independence from Sudan, South Sudan became an independent country on July 9th, 2011. Juba’s economy primarily relies on agriculture and oil production.
The fertile land surrounding Juba supports crops such as maize, Sorghum, And cassava while oil reserves are found in nearby areas such as Upper Nile State. Foreign investment has also led to growth in other sectors like construction and tourism. One popular attraction in Juba is Jebel Kujur National Park which spans over an area covering approximately seven square kilometers with several species living within it including giraffes and zebras. Visitors can enjoy game drives or take guided tours to learn more about these animals’ habits.
The city also boasts some impressive landmarks like St Theresa Cathedral built-in late colonial times but restored after many years during conflicts between North-South Sudanese forces; along with John Garang Memorial Monument dedicated to one who fought against oppression from Khartoum government until he died tragically when his helicopter crashed into mountains near Uganda border shortly after signing peace agreement ending decades-long civil war between North-South factions. Juba’s nightlife scene is vibrant with numerous bars playing local music genres like reggae or hip-hop while restaurants offer both local cuisine and international dishes.
The city’s markets are also a must-visit for tourists where one can find traditional handicrafts, Clothing, And jewelry. However, Juba has faced many challenges over the years due to political instability leading to violence that displaced thousands of people. Despite this, Juba remains resilient with its people determined to rebuild their city into a thriving metropolis that represents the best of South Sudanese culture and heritage.
- Juba National Museum
- John Garang Memorial Statue
- St. Theresa Cathedral
- Nile River Bridge
- Dr. John Garang Mausoleum
- Juba Stadium
- Konyo Konyo Market
- South Sudan Wildlife Conservation Area
- Jebel Kujur Hill
- Bahr el Jebel Safaris and Tours
- Oil: South Sudan has significant oil reserves, making the oil industry a major contributor to the country’s economy.
- Agriculture: The agricultural sector is important for South Sudan’s economy with crops such as sorghum, maize, millet, and peanuts being grown in large quantities.
- Construction: Due to the rapid growth of Juba’s population and infrastructure needs, construction has become a thriving industry.
- Retail: As more people move to urban areas like Juba, the retail sector is growing rapidly.
- Hospitality/Tourism: Tourism is an emerging industry in South Sudan as it is a relatively new country with many natural attractions such as wildlife reserves and national parks.
- Telecommunications: The telecommunications sector has been growing rapidly due to increased demand for mobile phone services.
- Banking/Finance: With the development of the economy comes an increasing need for financial services such as banking and insurance.
- Mining: Although still in its early stages of development, mining has potential to be a significant contributor to South Sudan’s economy with minerals such as gold being found within its borders.
- The establishment of Juba as the capital of South Sudan in 2011 after the country gained independence from Sudan.
- The Second Sudanese Civil War, which lasted from 1983 to 2005, had a significant impact on Juba and the surrounding region.
- John Garang, a prominent leader in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) during the civil war, played a key role in establishing Juba as an important political and economic center for southern Sudan.
- The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 brought an end to the civil war and paved the way for South Sudan’s independence.
- Salva Kiir Mayardit became president of South Sudan following its independence in 2011 and has been closely associated with Juba ever since.
- In July 2016, fighting broke out between government forces and opposition groups in Juba resulting in hundreds of deaths and widespread displacement.
- Notable landmarks in Juba include St Theresa Cathedral built by Italian missionaries during colonial times; Jebel Kujur Hill; and Nile Avenue Market.
- Joseph Lagu was one of Southern Sudan’s most famous politicians who played a major role leading up to their Independence Day celebrations on July 9th, 2011.
- Juba National Museum: This museum displays a collection of artifacts and exhibits that demonstrate the rich history and culture of South Sudan.
- John Garang Memorial: This monument pays tribute to John Garang, the founder of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) and an important figure in South Sudan’s fight for independence.
- Dr. John Garang Mausoleum: Located in Juba, this mausoleum serves as a memorial to Dr. John Garang, who tragically died in a helicopter crash shortly after becoming South Sudan’s first vice president.
- Nyakuron Cultural Center: The center hosts various cultural events and performances that showcase the music, dance, art, and traditions of South Sudanese people.
- Jebel Kujur Park: Situated on the outskirts of Juba, this park provides breathtaking views of the city skyline as well as opportunities for hiking and nature walks.
- Konyo Konyo Market: One of Juba’s largest markets where visitors can find a range of traditional handicrafts, clothing, food items, and other goods.
- St Joseph Catholic Cathedral: A stunning cathedral located in central Juba that is open to visitors for worship or quiet reflection.
- The Tomb Of Sheikh Abdalla Basha Roho Mosque: An important mosque located near Jebel Cemetery which is dedicated to Sheikh Abdalla Basha Roho who was one of Southern Sudan’s most prominent religious leaders during colonial times.
- The Palace Museum: It is an old palace turned into museum showcasing artifacts from ancient times including weapons, pottery, clothing etc.
- South Sudan Wildlife Conservation Society: A non-profit organization committed to safeguarding wildlife habitats in South Sudan through education, research & conservation. They have several programs including community outreach programs where visitors can learn about conservation efforts.
- Juba Football Club – Founded in 2011, Juba FC is one of the most popular football clubs in South Sudan. The team has won several local tournaments and has participated in international competitions.
- Kator FC – Established in 2013, Kator FC is another prominent football club based in Juba. The team has a strong fan base and has won several titles over the years.
- Warrap Stars – The Warrap Stars is a basketball team that was formed by South Sudanese refugees living in Uganda during the civil war. The team relocated to Juba after independence and has since become one of the top basketball teams in the country.
- Nile Basketball Club – This is another popular basketball club based in Juba that was founded by former members of the national basketball team.
- Equatoria Volleyball Club – Equatoria VC is a volleyball club that was established to promote the sport among young people in South Sudan. The team participates regularly at national tournaments and has won several titles over the years.
- Juba Festival
- South Sudan Independence Day Celebration
- Juba Film Festival
- Juba Fashion Week
- National Unity Day Celebration
- International Women’s Day Celebration
- World Peace Day Celebration
- Christmas and New Year Celebrations
- Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha Celebrations
- Martyrs’ Day Commemoration
- Asmara Restaurant – serves traditional Eritrean and Ethiopian dishes such as injera with stews and curries.
- Nile Palace Restaurant – offers a variety of local and international dishes including grilled fish, chicken shawarma, hummus, falafel, and more.
- Al-Salam Rotisserie Chicken – specializes in delicious roasted chicken served with rice or fries.
- Konyo Konyo Market – a bustling market where you can find fresh produce, spices, meats, and other food items to prepare your own meals.
- Juba Grand Hotel – has several restaurants that serve international cuisine including Italian pasta dishes, Indian curries, Chinese stir-fry dishes among others.
- Jebel Lodge Restaurant – offers authentic South Sudanese cuisine such as mullah (stew), asida (porridge), kisra (flatbread) among others.
- The Terrace at the Acacia Village Hotel- serves continental breakfasts buffet style along with a la carte lunch options like burgers or sandwiches during the day while dinner is typically an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring African-inspired delicacies like goat curry or fish stewed in tomato sauce.
- Juba City Park is a public park situated in the heart of Juba, featuring beautiful gardens, walking paths, and playgrounds for children.
- Dr. John Garang Memorial Park is a large park dedicated to the memory of South Sudan’s founding father. It features a statue of Garang and various recreational facilities for visitors to enjoy.
- Nimule National Park is located approximately 200 km from Juba and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing and hiking.
- Nile River Cruise allows visitors to take a boat ride along the Nile River while enjoying scenic views of the city and surrounding countryside.
- Sports Complexes are plentiful in Juba, with several offering facilities for soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and other sports enthusiasts.
- Golf Course – The Royal Club Golf Course is an 18-hole golf course located on the outskirts of Juba which offers golfing opportunities to enthusiasts.
- Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Zoo houses many animals native to South Sudan such as giraffes and zebras among others.
