Unity (state)

Unity, sometimes known as Western Upper Nile, is one of the 10 states of the African nation of South Sudan. It has an area of 35,956 km². Unity, is inhabited predominantly by two ethnic groups, the Nuer (majority) and the Dinka (minority).

Administrative divisions

The capital of Unity state is Bentiu. Prior to an administrative reorganization in 1994, Unity was part of a much larger province of Upper Nile, and the state is still sometimes called Western Upper Nile. Its counties are Mayom, Rubkona, Panrieng, Leer, Guit, Koch, Abiemnom, Mayendit, and Payinjiar. The larger towns are Bentiu, Mayom, Leer and Adok. Other towns are Riangnhom, Rub-Koni, Yoynyang, Tam, Mankien, Wang-Kay, Koch, Nyal and Ganyiel.^[1]

Economy

Agriculture is the state's primary economic activity. The people are nomadic agro-pastoralists who engage in both agriculture and rearing of livestock, especially cattle. Farming is conducted during the rainy season although some cultivation also occurs during summer. Vegetables are not widely cultivated as most farmers are rural rather than urban, and therefore lack access to markets for their produce. Some NGOs are introducing farmers to the practice of cultivation for market.

Oil fields

The state is the location of some rich oilfields, including Unity oilfield and most of Block 5A. Sudan's first oil reserves were discovered here during the 1970s. The international oil companies which engaged in oil exploration contributed to massive displacement of the indigenous population.^[2] The Unity oilfield is situated within the largest hydrocarbon accumulation in the Muglad rift basin and contains an estimated 150,000,000 barrels (24,000,000 m³) of oil.^[3] The Greater Nile Oil Pipeline begins in the Unity oil field.

See also

• 2007 Sudan floods
• Greater Nile Oil Pipeline

References

External links

• USAID 2001, 'Sudan: Oil and gas concession holders' (map), University of Texas Library. (Map shows location of oil field. Note that state borders are out of date.)