South Sudan became independent on 9 July 2011 as the world’s newest country at that time.
Its independence followed a January 2011 referendum in which an overwhelming majority of voters chose separation from Sudan. The result implemented a central provision of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended the Second Sudanese Civil War.
South Sudan became the 54th internationally recognized country in Africa and the 193rd member of the United Nations later in July 2011. Juba is the national capital, and English is the official working language.
The country is landlocked and includes extensive wetlands, including the Sudd, one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands. South Sudan’s independence did not resolve every dispute with Sudan; issues involving borders, oil, citizenship, and contested areas continued after statehood.