The war-torn North African nation of Sudan has endured decades of civil war and social strife -- a cycle that has significantly hindered the country's economy.
The latest trial is the separation of South Sudan -- an oil-rich region which seceded in July 2011, taking around 70% of the formerly united country's oil reserves with it.
As a result, Sudan's economy is expected to contract by 7.3% in 2012, according to projections from the International Monetary Fund. That puts Sudan at the very tail end of the IMF's projections, falling behind even Greece, which has an economy that is projected to contract by 4.5% this year.
