Republic of Sierra Leone | |
---|---|
Motto: "Unity, Freedom, Justice" | |
Anthem: High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free | |
![]() Location of Sierra Leone (dark blue) – in Africa (light blue & dark grey) | |
Capital and largest city | Freetown |
Official languages | English |
National languages |
|
Demonym(s) | Sierra Leonean |
Government | Unitary presidential Constitutional republic |
Julius Maada Bio | |
Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh | |
Jacob Jusu Saffa [1] | |
Abass Chernor Bundu | |
• Chief Justice | Desmond Babatunde Edwards |
Independence | |
• from the United Kingdom | 27 April 1961 |
• Republic declared | 19 April 1971 |
Area | |
• Total | 71,740 km2 (27,700 sq mi) (119th) |
• Water (%) | 1.1 |
Population | |
• Estimate | 6.3 million (2008 estimate) [1][2][3][4][5][6] |
• 2004 census | 4,976,871 |
• Density | 79.4/km2 (205.6/sq mi) (114th1) |
GDP (PPP) | 2010 estimate |
• Total | $4.837 billion[2] |
• Per capita | $780[2] |
GDP (nominal) | 2009 estimate |
• Total | $1.877 billion[2] |
• Per capita | $311[2] |
Gini (2003) | 62.9 very high |
HDI (2011) | ![]() low · 180th |
Currency | Leone (SLL) |
Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) |
Driving side | right |
Calling code | 232 |
ISO 3166 code | SL |
Internet TLD | .sl |
1 Rank based on 2007 figures. |
Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa. Its capital is Freetown. The official language is English.
The country was first made as a place where freed slaves could live. From 1991 until 2000, there was a civil war in Sierra Leone between rebels and the government. The war is now over. Sierra Leone is known for its blood diamonds. These were mined and sold during the civil war. This was in order to buy the weapons for the civil war.[3]
There are 71,740 square kilometres of land in Sierra; In terms of land area it is similar in size to Ireland.
Sierra Leone has relied on mining, especially diamonds, for its economic base. The country is among the largest producers of titanium and bauxite, and a major producer of gold. The country has one of the world's largest deposits of rutile. Sierra Leone is also home to the third largest natural harbour in the world. Shipping from all over the globe goes to Freetown's famous Queen Elizabeth II Quay. Despite this natural wealth, 70% of its people live in poverty.[4]
Sierra Leone is a mostly Muslim country.[5][6][7]
The country has 2,090 known species of higher plants, 147 mammals, 626 birds, 67 reptiles, 35 amphibians, and 99 fish species.