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| Sierra Leone | Plants and Animal | Back to Top |
A savanna vegetation, comprising grasses and bushes, dominates northern Sierra Leone. Forests are densest in the southeast and contain varieties of palm and, to a lesser extent, mahogany and teak. Among the numerous small animals are bush pigs, chimpanzees, monkeys, and porcupines. Crocodiles and hippopotamuses are often found in the rivers.
| Sierra Leone | Communications | Back to Top |
Marginal telephone and telegraph service
domestic: national microwave radio relay trunk system, made unserviceable by military activities, is now operating from Freetown to Bo and Kenema (April 2001)
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
| Sierra Leone | Culture | Back to Top |
The most outstanding feature of the nation's cultural life is its dancing. The Sierra Leone Dance Troupe is internationally known. The different communities of the nation have their own styles of costume and dance. In addition, certain closed societies, such as the Wunde, the Sande (Bundu), and the Gola, have characteristic ceremonial dances. A wide range of agility, gracefulness, and rhythm is displayed; in addition, there are elements of symbolism in most of the dances. Drums, wooden xylophones ,and various stringed instruments offer the musical background.
The carving of various wooden masks in human and animal figures for the dances is particularly advanced in the southern region. The Sande mask worn on the head of the chief dancer during the ceremony attending the reappearance of the female initiates from their time of seclusion is perhaps the most well-known carved figure in Sierra Leonean art. It is a symmetrically stylized black head of an African woman with an elaborate plaited pyramidal coiffure adorned with various figures and with a facial expression of grave dignity and beauty.
Ivory figures are characteristic of the Sherbro, Bullom, and Temne peoples of the coastal and northern regions. Fine examples of these figures, which were bought or commissioned by Portuguese traders during the 16th century, are still extant. There are also steatite human figures, sometimes distorted, called nomoli, or, in wooden form, pomtan,which certainly date earlier than the 16th century and were used likely for ancestor worship or fertility rites. At present, they are used for ceremonies to ensure abundance of crops.
| Sierra Leone | Defence | Back to Top |
Military branches: Army
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,161,790 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 563,631 (2001 est.)
| Sierra Leone | International Disputes | Back to Top |
civil war has engendered massive refugee movements into neighboring Guinea and Liberia
| Sierra Leone | Economy | Back to Top |
The economy of Sierra Leone is based on agriculture and mining. Some 67 % of the population is engaged in farming, fishing, or forestry. Much of the farming is of a subsistence nature. Plantation agriculture is remarkable only in the coastal region. Minerals are the nation’s principal export. In 1997 the national budget showed revenues of $87 million and expenditures of $146 million.
Private capital dominates mining concerns, commerce, and banking. European, Lebanese, and Indian interests are predominant, and participation by Sierra Leoneans is small. The public area features the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Board (SLPMB), which has a monopoly on cash crops, and other public corporations, such as that of road transport, which is entirely owned by the government. Various inefficient parastatals were privatized in the 1980s. Government revenue is derived from direct and indirect taxes. In addition to import and export taxes, the government can also rely on company, excise, income, and mining taxes for revenue. The government's revenue from trade has been undermined by the growth of smuggling of diamonds and agricultural produce.
Sierra Leone is an extremely poor African nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. It does have substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources. the economic and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development. About two-thirds of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Bauxite and rutile mines have been shut down by civil strife. The major source of hard currency is found in the mining of diamonds, the large majority of which are smuggled out of the nation. The resurgence of internal warfare in 1999 brought another substantial drop in GDP, with GNP recovering part of the way in 2000. The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad.
| Sierra Leone | Education | Back to Top |
In 1996, 52 % of primary school-aged children were listed in school, while only 17 % of secondary school-aged children were attending. The University of Sierra Leone, which includes Fourah Bay College (1827) and Njala University College (1963), had an enrollment of some 4,700.
| Sierra Leone | Government | Back to Top |
Sierra Leone is a republic with an administrator president and a multi-party system of government. Civil rights and religious freedom are respected. A critical press continues to operate, although the government has intervened for alleged inaccurate reporting.
The judicial system continues to function for civil cases but is severely handicapped by shortages of resources and qualified personnel. It is comprised of a Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and a High Court with judges appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission with the approval of Parliament. There also are magistrate and local courts and from these appeals lie to the superior courts of judicature. The 1991 constitution created an ombudsman responsible for looking into complaints of abuses and capricious acts on the part of public officials. In 2000 the GOSL published the Anti-Corruption Act to combat corruption, which is endemic. As of October 2003, the GOSL had prosecuted only two high-level cases.
The basic unit of local government generally is the chiefdom, headed by a paramount chief and council of elders. There also is an elected council and mayor in Freetown, Bo, Kenema, and Makeni.
| Sierra Leone | History | Back to Top |
European contacts with Sierra Leone were among the first in West Africa. In 1652, the first slaves in North America were brought from Sierra Leone to the Sea Islands off the coast of the southern United States. During the 1700s there was a thriving trade bringing slaves from Sierra Leone to the plantations of South Carolina and Georgia where their rice-farming skills made them particularly valuable. In 1787 the British helped 400 freed slaves from the United States, Nova Scotia, and Great Britain return to Sierra Leone to settle in what they called the "Province of Freedom." Disease and hostility from the indigenous people nearly eliminated the first group of returnees. This settlement was joined by other groups of freed slaves and soon became known as Freetown. In 1792, Freetown became one of Britain's first colonies in West Africa.
In August, 2003 President Kabbah testified before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on his role during the civil war. Instead of acting in a statesman-like, unifying manner, he answered questions in a partisan, defensive style. He blamed the international community for ignoring Sierra Leone during much of the civil war, without acknowledging its assistance in the late 1990’s that ended the fighting.
| Sierra Leone | Introduction | Back to Top |
Sierra Leone, republic, western Africa, bordered on the north-west, north, and north-east by Guinea, on the south-east by Liberia, and on the south-west and west by the Atlantic Ocean. A former British colony, Sierra Leone became independent on April 27, 1961, as a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations, and a republic on April 19, 1971. The total area of the nation is 71,740 sq km (27,699 sq mi). The capital of Sierra Leone is Freetown.
Official Name- Republic of Sierra Leone| Sierra Leone | Land | Back to Top |
N/A
| Sierra Leone | Languages | Back to Top |
Of those reporting a religion, 60 % of the people follow orthodox beliefs. Christianity, adhered to by 8 % of the population, is strongest among the Creoles, and Islam (30 %) is practiced by the Temne in the north. English is the official language. Of about 20 African languages spoken, Mende and Temne are most widely used. Another common language is Krio, a Creole language derived from English and various African languages. Only 36 % of the adult population is literate.
| Sierra Leone | Life | Back to Top |
In 2001 the around life expectancy at birth was only 49 years for women and 43 years for men. The infant mortality rate was among the highest in Africa—147 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. Medical personnel and facilities were grossly insufficient.
| Sierra Leone | organization | Back to Top |
ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
| Sierra Leone | People | Back to Top |
The around population of Sierra Leone in 2001 was 5,426,618, yielding an overall population density of 76 persons per sq km .Sierra Leone has a high annual population growth rate of 3.6%. Freetown, the capital, is the largest city. Other major towns include Kenema and Bo, both in the southern interior.
In the past, Sierra Leoneans were famous for their educational achievements, trading activity, entrepreneurial skills, and arts and crafts work, particularly woodcarving. Many are part of larger ethnic networks extending into several countries, which link West African states in the area. the level of education and infrastructure has declined sharply over the last 30 years.
| Sierra Leone | Politics | Back to Top |
All People's Congress or APC [Alhaji Sat KOROMA, interim chairman]; Citizens United for Peace and Progress or CUPP [Alfred Musa CONTEH, interim chairman]; Coalition for Progress Party or CPP [Jeridine WILLIAM-SARHO, interim leader]; Democratic Center Party or DCP [Adu Aiah KOROMA]; Democratic Labour Party or DLP [George E. L. PALMER]; Democratic Party or DP [Henry BALO, acting chairman]; National Alliance Democratic Party or NADP [Mohamed Yahya SILLAH, chairman]; National Democratic Alliance or NDA [Amadu M. B. JALLOH, leader]; National People's Party or NPP [Andrew TURAY]; National Republican Party or NRP [Stephen Sahr MAMBU]; National Unity Movement or NUM [Sam LEIGH, interim chairman]; National Unity Party or NUP [John BENJAMINE, interim leader]; Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Darlington MORRISON, interim chairman]; People's Democratic Alliance or PDA [Cpl. (Rtd) Abdul Rahman KAMARA, interim chairman]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Osman KAMARA]; People's National Convention or PNC [Edward John KARGBO]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Abass Chernok BUNDU, chairman]; Revolutionary United Front Party or RUFP [Foday Saybana SANKOH, chairman]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Andrew Victor LUNGAY]; Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Alhaji Ahmad Tejan KABBAH, chairman]; United National People's Party or UNPP [John KAREFA-SMART in exile, Raymond KAMARA, acting leader]; Young People's Party or YPP [Cornelius DEVEAUS, interim chairman]
| Sierra Leone | Provinces | Back to Top |
3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*
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| Sierra Leone | Time | Back to Top |
| Sierra Leone | Currency and General Information | Back to Top |
| Sierra Leone Leones | United States Dollars |
| 1.00 SLL | 0.000491400 USD |
| 2,035.00 SLL | 1 USD |
| Countries Currency Unit | USD/Unit | Units/USD | |
| DZD | Algeria Dinars | 0.0129554 | 77.1877 |
| USD | United States Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| ARS | Argentina Pesos | 0.341293 | 2.93004 |
| AUD | Australia Dollars | 0.533413 | 1.87472 |
| ATS | Austria Schillings ** | 0.0632609 | 15.8076 |
| BSD | Bahamas Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| BBD | Barbados Dollars | 0.502513 | 1.99000 |
| BEF | Belgium Francs ** | 0.0215788 | 46.3417 |
| BMD | Bermuda Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| BRL | Brazil Reals | 0.430318 | 2.32386 |
| GBP | United Kingdom Pounds | 1.42399 | 0.702251 |
| BGL | Bulgaria Leva | 0.447293 | 2.23567 |
| CAD | Canada Dollars | 0.627606 | 1.59336 |
| CLP | Chile Pesos | 0.00152392 | 656.202 |
| CNY | China Yuan Renminbi | 0.120813 | 8.27726 |
| CYP | Cyprus Pounds | 1.49883 | 0.667186 |
| CZK | Czech Republic Koruny | 0.0281883 | 35.4758 |
| DKK | Denmark Kroner | 0.117155 | 8.53568 |
| XCD | East Caribbean Dollars | 0.370370 | 2.70000 |
| EGP | Egypt Pounds | 0.217271 | 4.60255 |
| EUR | Euro | 0.870489 | 1.14878 |
| FJD | Fiji Dollars | 0.447227 | 2.23600 |
| FIM | Finland Markkaa ** | 0.146406 | 6.83034 |
| FRF | France Francs ** | 0.132705 | 7.53550 |
| DEM | Germany Deutsche Marks ** | 0.445074 | 2.24682 |
| XAU | Gold Ounces | 301.977 | 0.00331151 |
| GRD | Greece Drachmae ** | 0.00255463 | 391.447 |
| HKD | Hong Kong Dollars | 0.128215 | 7.79939 |
| HUF | Hungary Forint | 0.00358416 | 279.006 |
| ISK | Iceland Kronur | 0.00999868 | 100.013 |
| INR | India Rupees | 0.0205205 | 48.7319 |
| IDR | Indonesia Rupiahs | 0.000102055 | 9,798.61 |
| IEP | Ireland Pounds ** | 1.10529 | 0.904738 |
| ILS | Israel New Shekels | 0.212386 | 4.70841 |
| ITL | Italy Lire ** | 0.000449570 | 2,224.35 |
| JMD | Jamaica Dollars | 0.0210041 | 47.6099 |
| JPY | Japan Yen | 0.00754183 | 132.594 |
| JOD | Jordan Dinars | 1.41057 | 0.708931 |
| LBP | Lebanon Pounds | 0.000660937 | 1,513.00 |
| LUF | Luxembourg Francs ** | 0.0215788 | 46.3417 |
| MYR | Malaysia Ringgits | 0.263330 | 3.79751 |
| MXN | Mexico Pesos | 0.111007 | 9.00848 |
| NZD | New Zealand Dollars | 0.440474 | 2.27028 |
| NOK | Norway Kroner | 0.113022 | 8.84780 |
| NLG | Netherlands Guilders ** | 0.395011 | 2.53158 |
| PKR | Pakistan Rupees | 0.0166945 | 59.9000 |
| PHP | Philippines Pesos | 0.0196386 | 50.9202 |
| XPT | Platinum Ounces | 510.962 | 0.00195709 |
| PLN | Poland Zlotych | 0.243488 | 4.10699 |
| PTE | Portugal Escudos ** | 0.00434198 | 230.310 |
| ROL | Romania Lei | 0.0000303433 | 32,956.21 |
| RUR | Russia Rubles | 0.0321342 | 31.1195 |
| SAR | Saudi Arabia Riyals | 0.266668 | 3.74998 |
| XAG | Silver Ounces | 4.65692 | 0.214734 |
| SGD | Singapore Dollars | 0.542540 | 1.84318 |
| SKK | Slovakia Koruny | 0.0208441 | 47.9751 |
| ZAR | South Africa Rand | 0.0883340 | 11.3207 |
| KRW | South Korea Won | 0.000759354 | 1,316.91 |
| ESP | Spain Pesetas ** | 0.00523174 | 191.141 |
| XDR | IMF Special Drawing Rights | 1.24862 | 0.800882 |
| SDD | Sudan Dinars | 0.00384615 | 260.000 |
| SEK | Sweden Kronor | 0.0964189 | 10.3714 |
| CHF | Switzerland Francs | 0.593789 | 1.68410 |
| TWD | Taiwan New Dollars | 0.0286531 | 34.9002 |
| THB | Thailand Baht | 0.0230087 | 43.4619 |
| TTD | Trinidad and Tobago Dollars | 0.163399 | 6.12000 |
| TRL | Turkey Liras | 0.000000763622 | 1,309,549.07 |
| VEB | Venezuela Bolivares | 0.00108696 | 920.000 |
| ZMK | Zambia Kwacha | 0.000239866 | 4,169.00 |
| Sierraleone : Geographic coordinates | 8 30 N, 11 30 W |
| Sierraleone : Population growth rate | 3.61% |
| Sierraleone : Birth rate | 45.11 births/1,000 population |
| Sierraleone : Death rate | 19.19 deaths/1,000 population |
| Sierraleone : People living with HIV/AIDS | 68,000 |
| Sierraleone : Independence | 27 April 1961 |
| Sierraleone : National holiday | Independence Day, 27 April |
| Sierraleone : Constitution | 1 October 1991 |
| Sierraleone : GDP | purchasing power parity - $2.7 billion |
| Sierraleone : GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $510 |
| Sierraleone : Electricity - consumption | 223.2 million kWh |
| Sierraleone : Exports | $65 million diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish |
| Sierraleone : Imports | $145 million foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals |
| Sierraleone : Telephones | 17,000 |
| Sierraleone : Mobile cellular | 650 |
| Sierraleone : Radio broadcast stations | AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 |
| Sierraleone : Radios | 1.12 million |
| Sierraleone : Television broadcast stations | 2 |
| Sierraleone : Televisions | 53,000 |
| Sierraleone : Internet country code | .sl |
| Sierraleone : Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 1 |
| Sierraleone : Internet users | 2,000 |
| Sierraleone : Railways | 84 |
| Sierraleone : Highways | 11,300 km |
| Sierraleone : Waterways | 800 km |
| Sierraleone : Pipelines | N/A |
| Sierraleone : Ports and harbors | Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel |
| Sierraleone : Merchant marine | 1 ship |
| Sierraleone : Airports | 11 |
| Sierraleone : Heliports | 1 |
| Sierraleone : Military branches | Army |
| Sierraleone : Military expenditures | $46 million |