The World Factbook CIA Home CIA Home About CIA Careers Offices of CIA News & Information Library Kid’s Page Contact CIA CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

         
  Sierra Leone  
Flag of Sierra Leone
Click to enlarge
Categories Banner
 Introduction
 Geography
 People
 Government
 Economy
 Communications
 Transportation
 Military
 Transnational Issues

This page was last updated on 14 May 2009


Map of Sierra Leone




Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order

   Introduction    Sierra Leone Top of Page
Background:
Definition Field Listing
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.
   Geography    Sierra Leone Top of Page
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
8 30 N, 11 30 W
Map references:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Africa
Area:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total: 71,740 sq km
land: 71,620 sq km
water: 120 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
total: 958 km
border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
Coastline:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
402 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)
Terrain:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite
Land use:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
arable land: 7.95%
permanent crops: 1.05%
other: 91% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
300 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
160 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
total: 0.38 cu km/yr (5%/3%/92%)
per capita: 69 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleted natural resources; overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa
   People    Sierra Leone Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6,440,053 (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
0-14 years: 44.5% (male 1,407,226/female 1,460,366)
15-64 years: 52.2% (male 1,613,554/female 1,750,250)
65 years and over: 3.2% (male 95,533/female 113,124) (2009 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
total: 17.5 years
male: 17.2 years
female: 17.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
2.282% (2009 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
44.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
22.26 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly returning (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
urban population: 38% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total: 154.43 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 171.57 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 136.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total population: 41.24 years
male: 38.92 years
female: 43.64 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
5.88 children born/woman (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
1.7% (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
55,000 (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
3,300 (2007 est.)
Major infectious diseases:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2009)
Nationality:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
noun: Sierra Leonean(s)
adjective: Sierra Leonean
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
20 African ethnic groups 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole (Krio) 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century), refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians
Religions:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Muslim 60%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs 30%
Languages:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
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%)
Literacy:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic
total population: 35.1%
male: 46.9%
female: 24.4% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
total: 7 years
male: 8 years
female: 6 years (2001)
Education expenditures:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
3.8% of GDP (2005)
   Government    Sierra Leone Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone
conventional short form: Sierra Leone
local long form: Republic of Sierra Leone
local short form: Sierra Leone
Government type:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
constitutional democracy
Capital:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
name: Freetown
geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 13 15 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*
Independence:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
27 April 1961 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Independence Day, 27 April (1961)
Constitution:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
1 October 1991; amended several times
Legal system:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
chief of state: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007)
cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 August 2007 and 8 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: second round results; percent of vote - Ernest Bai KOROMA 54.6%, Solomon BEREWA 45.4%
Legislative branch:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
unicameral Parliament (124 seats; 112 members elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 11 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 59, SLPP 43, PMDC 10
Judicial branch:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
All People's Congress or APC [Ernest Bai KOROMA]; Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Darlington MORRISON]; People's Movement for Democratic Change or PMDC [Charles MARGAI]; Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Solomon BEREWA]; numerous others
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
other: student unions; trade unions
International organization participation:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
chief of mission: Ambassador Bockari Kortu STEVENS
chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263
FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
chief of mission: Ambassador June Carter PERRY
embassy: Southridge-Hill Station, Freetown
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [232] (22) 515 000 or (76) 515 000
FAX: [232] (22) 515 355
Flag description:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue
   Economy    Sierra Leone Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
Sierra Leone is an extremely poor nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. While it possesses substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, its physical and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development. Nearly half 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. Alluvial diamond mining remains the major source of hard currency earnings accounting for nearly half of Sierra Leone's exports. The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad, which is essential to offset the severe trade imbalance and supplement government revenues. The IMF has completed a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility program that helped stabilize economic growth and reduce inflation. A recent increase in political stability has led to a revival of economic activity such as the rehabilitation of bauxite and rutile mining.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$4.307 billion (2008 est.)
$4.063 billion (2007)
$3.819 billion (2006)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
$1.971 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
6% (2008 est.)
6.4% (2007 est.)
7.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$700 (2008 est.)
$700 (2007 est.)
$600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
agriculture: 49%
industry: 31%
services: 21% (2001 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
1.369 million (1981 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
lowest 10%: 0.5%
highest 10%: 43.6% (1989)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
62.9 (1989)
Budget:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
revenues: $96 million
expenditures: $351 million (2000 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
11.7% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
NA
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
25% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$184.6 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$177.7 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$162.9 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$NA
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish
Industries:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
diamond mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small commercial ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
NA%
Electricity - production:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
250 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
232.5 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0.7008 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
8,430 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
432.3 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
8,271 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
-$63 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$216 million f.o.b. (2006)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish
Exports - partners:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Belgium 49.3%, US 20.5%, Netherlands 4.5%, Canada 4.1% (2007)
Imports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$560 million f.o.b. (2006)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Cote d'Ivoire 10%, China 10%, US 9.5%, UK 6.2%, Netherlands 5.1%, India 4.7% (2007)
Debt - external:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
$1.61 billion (2003 est.)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
leones (SLL) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2,961.7 (2006), 2,889.6 (2005), 2,701.3 (2004), 2,347.9 (2003)
   Communications    Sierra Leone Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
24,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
776,000 (2007)
Telephone system:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
general assessment: marginal telephone service
domestic: the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects Freetown to Bo and Kenema; mobile-cellular service is growing rapidly from a small base
international: country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
2 (1999)
Internet country code:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
.sl
Internet hosts:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
8 (2008)
Internet users:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
13,000 (2007)
   Transportation    Sierra Leone Top of Page
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10 (2008)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2008)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
total: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 2 (2008)
Heliports:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
2 (2007)
Roadways:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total: 11,300 km
paved: 904 km
unpaved: 10,396 km (2002)
Waterways:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
800 km (600 km year round) (2007)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
total: 182
by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 143, carrier 2, chemical tanker 3, container 6, liquefied gas 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 2
foreign-owned: 95 (Belgium 1, China 15, Egypt 3, Greece 1, Hong Kong 1, Lebanon 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 1, Romania 3, Russia 11, Syria 18, Taiwan 1, Turkey 15, Ukraine 10, UAE 8, UK 2, US 1, Yemen 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands
   Military    Sierra Leone Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): Army (includes Maritime Wing and Air Wing) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
males age 16-49: 1,315,561 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
males age 16-49: 692,469
females age 16-49: 762,239 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
male: 71,524
female: 75,491 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order Comparison to the rest of the world
2.3% of GDP (2006)
   Transnational Issues    Sierra Leone Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
as domestic fighting among disparate ethnic groups, rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone gradually abate, the number of refugees in border areas has begun to slowly dwindle; UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) has maintained over 4,000 peacekeepers in Sierra Leone since 1999; Sierra Leone considers excessive Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands including the hamlet of Yenga occupied since 1998
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Definition Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order
refugees (country of origin): 27,311 (Liberia) (2007)

This page was last updated on 14 May 2009


Bottom Banner