المستخلص: |
This study aims at discerning the mechanism of the formation of Sudan’s geographic map on the basis of the ideologies adopted by the successive governments since 1821, which resulted in shaping, reshaping and, finally, reducing the country’s map. Historical and geographical sources show that the Sudan’s map has passed through different forms and shapes due to a number of historical and political reasons, most important among them relates to ideological orientations. The study argues that the present shape of the Sudan’s map (i.e. after the separation of the South) is a result of the British policy towards the former (united) Sudan, in addition to the failure of the subsequent national governments (with different ideological orientations) to manage properly the ethnic and religious variations, especially with regard to Southern Sudan, the Nuba Mountains and the Southern Blue Nile. However, political unrest still prevails in the two latter regions, which are striving for autonomy, if not separation. The author suggests a geographic model which puts much emphasis on peripheral areas and would help in achieving future geographic unity of Sudan.
|