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
French Sudan The area was "Upper River" from 1880 until 18 August 1890, when it was renamed "French Sudan", with its capital at Kayes. On 10 October 1899, French Sudan was divided, with the southern cercles joining coastal colonies, and the rest split into two administrative areas called "Middle Niger" and "Upper Senegal". In 1902, the region again was organized as a unified colony under the name Senegambia and Niger ("Sénégambie et Niger"). The name changed again in 1904 to Upper Senegal and Niger ("Haut Sénégal et Niger"). Finally, in 1921, the name changed back to "French Sudan" ("Soudan Français"). Borders and