[Vocabulary] Sudan or The Sudan

[atabitaraf]

Previously it was written in dictionaries that both the forms 'Sudan' and 'the Sudan' are correct. However I think after the revolutionary election of separating the Southern Sudan from the country we must only use the form with the: 'the Sudan'
It's only my perception. Am I right?

 

[5jj]

Sudan - semanticweb.org

 

[Tdol]

I hear Sudan more than the Sudan now, just as Ukraine is more common than the Ukraine.

 

[atabitaraf]

Sudan - semanticweb.org

Although the last editing date of this article is for after the secession but I logically think 'the Sudan' makes more sense after the secession than before it. Isn't it logical to use the definite article: 'the' for distinguishing between them?
ata

 

[5jj]

Isn't it logical to use the definite article: 'the' for distinguishing between them?

Logic has little to do with it. It's the form that people use that matters and, as the article and Tdol said, the form without the article is more common now.

 

[Tdol]

Although the last editing date of this article is for after the secession but I logically think 'the Sudan' makes more sense after the secession than before it. Isn't it logical to use the definite article: 'the' for distinguishing between them?
ata

Not really- you have Sudan and South Sudan- South distinguishes them.