Google Maps Fails to Recognize the World's Newest Country, South Sudan
The current Google Map doesn't show the new South Sudan
Close your atlases and history textbooks. They're out of date. Close your browser too, because it looks like the Google Maps team doesn't work on the weekends. Despite all the news reports of the physical alteration to the world that occurred this weekend when South Sudan became it's own country, the official Google Map has yet to recognize it. Even President Barack Obama took some time from his Saturday morning to formally acknowledge the Republic of South Sudan.
It's not like South Sudan is a minor nation, either. It's got a capital (Juba), a flag (see below), a hefty population (some 8.2 million), and fifty years filled with two civil wars that brought it to this point. It's even planning its own currency: the South Sudanese Pound. Bet you can't guess South Sudan's official language...it's English!
How Google Maps should look
With the addition of South Sudan to the world map, travelers hell bent on checking off every country now have a little extra work to do. Traveling to South Sudan isn't exactly an easy field trip and the country is still very much in transition. Humanitarian efforts are huge, and since 90% of the country's population lives on less than $1 a day, voluntourism with a well-reputed international agency like the Red Cross can be just as budget-friendly as it is life-affirming.
The new flag for South Sudan
[Photos: Google]
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