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Description Sierra Leone by rbd.me
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Democracy is slowly being reestablished after the civil war from 1991 to 2002 that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (about one-third of the population). The military, which took over full responsibility for security following the departure of UN peacekeepers at the end of 2005, is increasingly developing as a guarantor of the country's stability. The armed forces remained on the sideline during the 2007 presidential election, but still look to the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) - a civilian UN mission - to support efforts to consolidate peace. The new government's priorities include furthering development, creating jobs, and stamping out endemic corruption.
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Location
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Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
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Area - comparative
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slightly smaller than South Carolina
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Natural resources Sierra Leone
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diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite
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Population Sierra Leone
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5,245,695 (July 2010 est.)
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Religions Sierra Leone
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Muslim 60%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs 30%
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Languages
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English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%)
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Education Sierra Leone expenditures
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3.8% of GDP (2005)
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Government Sierra Leone type
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constitutional democracy
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Independence
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27 April 1961 (from the UK)
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Sierra Leone Economy - overview
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$4.622 billion (2009 est.)
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Investment Sierra Leone
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NA%
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Industries Sierra Leone
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80 million kWh (2007 est.)
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Airports Sierra Leone
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Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands
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