Today South Sudan, which formally split from Sudan in 2011, is on the brink of civil war. Violence has escalated since a reported coup attempt in December.

In 2013, however, the world's newest country powered back to life after a dispute with Sudan prompted the government to shut oil production -- causing a sharp economic contraction in 2012.

Oil production resumed in April and sparked rapid growth in the economy, which depends almost entirely on oil revenues.

But the upbeat growth prospects mask a far bleaker reality of life in the severely underdeveloped African nation.