Final answer:
Sudan and South Sudan are separate countries today primarily due to religious, ethnic, and cultural divisions, as well as conflicts and raids between the north and south. The southern region of Sudan voted for independence in 2011, leading to the establishment of the Republic of South Sudan. Economic factors, such as oil production, also played a role in the separation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sudan and South Sudan are separate countries today primarily due to a long history of religious, ethnic, and cultural divisions in the region. The African Transition Zone, which cuts through Sudan, has acted as a dividing line between the Arab-Muslim north and the mainly African-Christian south. Sudan experienced civil wars between the north and the south for decades, with the north raiding the villages in the south and enslaving women and children. In January 2011, the southern region of Sudan voted for independence through a referendum, leading to the establishment of the Republic of South Sudan as a separate country. This separation was further driven by economic considerations, such as the increase in oil production in the southern region.