Province of central Sudan, known as the
`White Land'; area 146,990 sq km/ 56,752 sq
mi; population (1983) 3,093,300. Although
never an independent state, it has a
character of its own. It is mainly undulating
plain, with acacia scrub producing gum
arabic, marketed in the chief town El Obeid.
Formerly a rich agricultural region, it has
been overtaken by desertification.