Sudan (region) to the present-day country of Sudan, the western part of which forms part of the larger region, and from which South Sudan gained its independence in 2011. The Sudan region extends in some 5,000 km in a band several hundred kilometers wide across Africa. It stretches from the border of Senegal, through southern Mali (formerly known as French Sudan when it was a French colony), Burkina Faso, southern Niger, northern Nigeria, northern Ghana, southern Chad, the western Darfur region of present-day Sudan, and South Sudan. To the north of the region lies the Sahel, a more arid Acacia savanna region
Missouri French Vincennes as well as several other locations. Speakers of Missouri French may call themselves ""créoles"" as they are descendants of the early French settlers of Illinois Country. Today the dialect is highly endangered, with only a few elderly native speakers. It is thought that any remaining speakers live in or around Old Mines, Missouri. French colonization of the region began in earnest during the late 17th century by "coureurs des bois" from what is now is modern-day Canada. With French colonial expansion into the North American interior, various missions. forts, and trading posts were established under the administration of New