darfur, sudan

Darfur, Sudan

Michelle LinJuly 27, 2010

Professor SchmidtGeography 1

Environment

Located in Sudan, Africa Has plateaus, gozes,

wadis, basement rocks, and a mountain range known an Marrah Mountain

Tropical climate: hot, moist summers (110 degrees F), and cold winters (40 degree F)

Receives more than 40 inches of rain each year

Sand storms known as the Haboobs

Region

Darfur is a region itself in Sudan

Split politically into three federal states by the Transnational Darfur Regional Authority

Gharb Darfur (west), Junub Darfur (north), and Shamal Darfur (south)

Capitals: Al-Junaynah, Al-Fashir, and Nyala, respectively

Economy

Developing nation Economy based on

agriculture and livestock

Raise cattle, sheep, and goat; all raised in the north

Live their lives as farmers and herders

Exports & Imports

Exports include cereal, fruits, and tobacco

Imports are received from the United Nations which provide food, shelter, and medical aid

Imports are received due to the ongoing genocide occurring today

Government

Since Darfur is a region not a country it does not have its’ own government

It is ran by two groups, the Sudanese government and the Resistance

Caused an ongoing civil war

Began when the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and the Justice and Equality Movement began attacking the Sudanese government. Accusing them of favoring Arabs over non-Arabs

Darfur Genocide

Began in February 2003 Janjaweed attack villages,

and certain ethnic groups Coutnless casualties, 400

villages destroyed, and 400,000 lives were lost

Men are shot, and women and children are ganged raped, and killed

Out of 6 million people 4.7 million are affected

United States calls it a genocide and the United Nations call is the worse humanitarian crisis

Still continues today

World Systems

Peripheral region Disadvantage with trading

amongst other countries because of their lack of technology and corrupt government

Not part of any trade agreements since it is region. All trading acts are with Sudan as a country

United Nations helps Darfur due to the ongoing genocide.

Provide food, shelter, and medical aid

People of Darfur

Divided into different tribes

There are 6 main tribes: Fur, Zaghawa, Masalit, Sharafa, Rizeigat, and Taisha

Differences are whether they are Arab or non-Arab

All are of African descent, but different tribes may speak different languages

Population

6 million people Population

shrinking due to ongoing genocide

Religion

Significant in Darfur Part of their everyday

lives and traditions Nearly everyone is

Muslim Known to have some

of the most devout Muslims

65% of the civilians practice Islam

Why I Chose Darfur

Joined “Save Darfur” club in high school

Learned about the tragedies of Darfur

Raised money to help

Save Darfur, STAND, Amnesty, etc.