Background to South Sudan

SOUTH Sudan is a Texas-sized chunk of what was Africa's largest nation. It shares a 1,300-mile border with northern Sudan and will also border Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Central African Republic and Congo.

A 2008-9 census showed the population was 8.26 million, but the government argues it is 11 million to 13 million. With 200 ethnic groups, most practise traditional faiths with a Christian minority.

Sudan is sub-Saharan Africa's third-largest oil producer; the south should assume control of 75 per cent of the daily production of 490,000 barrels. However, negotiations on the issue are mired in dispute.