El Obeid
Decide whether to visit or live in El Obeid, then explore current conditions, local people, the map, and concise sourced context.
Check visit & living safetyUpdated Sunday, October 18, 2026 · sourced live layer and versioned editorial content
AI-assisted, evidence-constrained research · how this page is made
Would you visit or live in El Obeid?
Choose your plan and circumstances. The result changes immediately using today's advisory, weather, air-quality, and sourced local signals.
Generally suitable with routine precautions
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises avoiding all travel to parts of Sudan, including areas around El Obeid, due to security risks and disrupted airport operations.
high source confidence · current planning signal, not a personal-safety guaranteeSee the evidence and calculation
- No high-severity wording detected in the supplied advisory
- Latest air-quality reading is not elevated
- Active hostilities between SAF and RSF
- Frequent drone and artillery strikes
- Humanitarian crisis with food, water, and medical shortages
- Risk of arbitrary detention, kidnapping, and sexual violence
The score combines dated official-advisory wording, weather, air quality, sourced local context, and your selections. It does not predict crime or individual outcomes. Check local authorities and professional advice before a safety-critical decision.
Climate normals · 2016–2025
When to go: El Obeid month by month
Judged purely on 2016–2025 weather records, the friendliest months in El Obeid are typically January, February and December, with average daytime highs around 29–32°C. May is usually the warmest month (average high 39°C), January the coldest (average low 15°C), and August the wettest (about 71 mm). These are long-run averages, not a forecast.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sunshine (h/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29.4 | 15.3 | 0 | 10.9 |
| February | 31.5 | 17.2 | 0 | 11.1 |
| March | 35.9 | 20.9 | 0 | 11.6 |
| April | 38.3 | 23.6 | 0 | 11.9 |
| May | 38.8 | 25.7 | 4 | 11.5 |
| June | 37.4 | 26.0 | 9 | 10.9 |
| July | 35.0 | 24.8 | 35 | 9.9 |
| August | 32.8 | 23.4 | 71 | 9.3 |
| September | 35.1 | 23.8 | 25 | 10.3 |
| October | 36.3 | 24.0 | 6 | 10.8 |
| November | 33.9 | 20.7 | 0 | 10.9 |
| December | 30.8 | 17.0 | 0 | 10.7 |
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People and places shaping El Obeid
AI-assisted local research, regenerated with the dated live layer. Every requested module remains visible; facts appear only after a source check, and unavailable categories explain what is still being researched.
Research updated Sunday, October 4, 2026Past and future events in El Obeid
Upcoming
No future event in El Obeid currently has a sufficiently reliable date and source. This is checked again on every refresh.
Previously
- Documented history · 1821
The modern city of El Obeid was founded in 1821 by the Egyptians.
- Documented history · 1882
In September 1882, Mahdist forces attacked the town.
- Documented history · 1883
After the assault was repelled, they besieged it, and El Obeid surrendered on 17 January 1883.
- Documented history · 1899
When Kordofan came under Anglo-Egyptian control in 1899, little remained of El Obeid apart from part of the former government offices.
- Sudanese civil war siege
Since April 2023 El Obeid has been repeatedly besieged and attacked by the Rapid Support Forces, causing civilian casualties, shortages and displacement.
Sources checked (2)
Interactive geography
See El Obeid in context
Keep the deeper context
Stable history, culture, districts, and practical reference remain in the main reading flow while the live layers above continue changing.
01 · EconomyWork and the economy in El Obeid
Where is El Obeid located geographically within Sudan?
El Obeid sits at coordinates 13.18421 latitude and 30.21669 longitude in Sudan. Positioned as the capital of the North Kordofan state, the city rests within the Sheikan locality and the former Sheikan District.
How does its geography shape its economic role?
The city functions as a vital commercial and transport nexus connecting western regions of Sudan with the eastern parts of the country. Its geographical positioning supports a railway terminus, major roads, and El Obeid Airport. Historically, its geography as a caravan stop under the Musaba’at Kingdom facilitated regional exchange.
What goods drive local trade in this region?
Trading activities focus on gum arabic, millet, oilseeds, and livestock. Historical trade patterns also included gum, gold, and ivory connected to Darfur and neighbouring regions. In 1996, an oil refinery was established in the city, further contributing to the local industrial economy operating within the SDG currency zone and utilizing languages such as Arabic, English, and Fia.
02 · OverviewEl Obeid, in brief
El Obeid is a major urban settlement and the administrative capital of North Kordofan state in Sudan. Known historically as the bride of the sands, the city functions as a critical commercial and transportation hub connecting the western regions of the country with eastern territories.
Where is El Obeid located geographically?
Geographically, El Obeid sits at an elevation of 609 meters above sea level and is positioned at the foot of the mountain Jebel Kordofan. The city lies approximately 150 miles west of the White Nile within the Sheikan locality. Its precise coordinates place it at latitude 13.18421 and longitude 30.21669.
What are the key geographical and transport features of the area?
As a vital transport nexus, the geography of the area supports multiple trade and transit routes. El Obeid features a railway terminus, major roadways, and El Obeid Airport. Historically, the construction of the railway linking the city to Khartoum and Port Sudan between 1909 and 1912 fundamentally shifted trade dynamics, diverting commerce away from other White Nile centers such as Kosti and El Dueim.
How does geography influence the local economy and population distribution?
The surrounding regional geography supports active trade in oilseeds, millet, livestock, and gum arabic. Historically, the population of El Obeid fluctuated due to seasonal movements linked closely to herding, agriculture, and trade. Demographically, the city accommodates a mix of Arab and Nubian Sudanese populations alongside internally displaced persons. The local population structure also reflects long-standing migration patterns driven by trade and the physical geography connecting western Sudan with central and northern regions.
Frequently Asked Questions about El Obeid
Essential geographic, demographic, currency, and travel context verified from primary records.
01 · Q&AWhere is El Obeid located and what are its coordinates?
El Obeid is situated in Sudan at geographic coordinates 13.1842, 30.2167, with an elevation monitored in regional geographic surveys.
02 · Q&AWhat is the population and time zone of El Obeid?
El Obeid has a recorded population of approximately 393,311 and observes the Africa/Khartoum time zone.
03 · Q&AWhat languages and currency are used in El Obeid?
Official and commonly spoken languages in El Obeid include AR-SD, English, FIA, with SDG used for local transactions.
04 · Q&AHow can I check live conditions and daily updates for El Obeid?
Today's Atlas provides continuous tracking for El Obeid, featuring real-time weather conditions, daylight cycles, local geographic signals, and verified daily briefs.