South Sudan, officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in northeastern Africa. It is bordered by Sudan to the north, Ethiopia to the east, Kenya to the southeast, Uganda to the south, the Central African Republic to the southwest, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. The country gained its independence from Sudan in 2011, making it the world's newest country at the time. Synonyms for South Sudan include Southern Sudan, South Sudanese Republic, and Republic of Southern Sudan. Despite its relatively short history as an independent nation, South Sudan has faced multiple challenges, including political instability, ethnic conflict, and economic struggles.