COUNTRY PROFILE
Country Information
Sierra Leone was since 1808 a British Crown Colony, and the country gained independence in 1961.
With an area of 71,740 km², the country is just slightly larger than Ireland or slightly smaller than the U.S. state of South Carolina.
Sierra Leone is a country in Western Africa with a coast on the Atlantic Ocean. Neighboring countries include Guinea and Liberia. The geography includes swamps, beaches, wooded hills, and mountains in the interior.
Sierra Leone has a population of about 7 million people, its largest city, chief port, and capital is Freetown, the city is situated in North West of the country at the coast of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Official Name: Republic of Sierra Leone
Short form: Sierra Leone
Capital City: Freetown (1 million)
Country Calling Code: +232
Other Cities: Bo, Kenema, Lungi, Makeni, Yengema
Government: Type: Republic with a democratically elected President and Parliament.
Independence: 27 April 1961 (from Britain).
Constitution: 1991.
Geography: Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia.
Area: 71,740 km² (27,698 sq. mi.)
Terrain: Three areas are coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hills along the immediate interior, and a mountainous plateau in the interior.
Highest Point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1 948 m
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December)
People:
Nationality: Sierra Leonean(s).
Population: 7 million (2015)
Ethnic Groups: Temne 30%, Mende 30%, Krio 1%, small Lebanese community.
Religions: Muslim 60%, Christian 30%, animist 10%.
Languages: English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Krio, Temne, Mende, and 15 other indigenous languages.
Literacy: 15-30%.
Natural resources: Diamonds, gold, titanium, bauxite, iron ore, chromite.
Agriculture products: Rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish.
Industries: Diamonds mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining.
Exports Commodities: Iron ore, diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish.
Exports Partners: China 31.3%, Belgium 27.8%, Romania 11.3%, USA 7.3%, India 4% (2015)
Imports Commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals.
Imports Partners: China 23%, India 7.9%, USA 6.4%, Netherlands 5.1% (2015)
Currency: New Leone (SLL)
IMPORTANT LINKS
MAP OF SIERRA
https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/sierra_leone_map2.htm
ADMINISTRATIVE MAP
https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/sierra_leone_map.htm
