Capital: Freetown
Currency: Leone (SLL)
Borders: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
Sierra Leone is located on Africa's West coast facing the Atlantic
Ocean. Its coastline measures 402km, comprised of many sheltered
bays and rocky peninsulas. The total landmass is 71,740 sq km. The
land features include a vast desert and a central forested area
rising to the Guinea Highlands. The many beautiful coastal mangrove
swamps are the main geographical feature of Western Sierra Leone.
The main rivers are the Little Scarcies, Rokel, Jong, Sumbuya and
Moa. These form the waterways of Sierra Leone and add up to 120 sq
km.The bordering countries are Guinea and
Liberia. Sierra Lyoa means 'Lion Mountains' (in Portuguese) and
indeed the far eastern half of the country is highly mountainous,
with some elevations reaching heights of 1800m. The highest point is
Mount Bintimane, which stands at a height of 1948m. The mountain
groups are the Wara Wara, Sula, and Tingi. Other large hills include
the Kangari, Kambui, Gola and Gori. Parts of Sierra Leone are home
to dense lush forest, the soil rich in minerals and diamonds.
Previously a British protectorate in 1896, Sierra
Leone gained independence in 1961. The capital and only real large
civilization in Sierra Leone is Freetown. Industry in Sierra Leone
largely concentrates around diamond mining although agriculture
plays a large part as well. Agricultural products include rice,
coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, and peanuts.
The climate of Sierra Leone is hot and very humid. The wet season
lasts from May to October, the dry from November to April. The
average temperature in July is 26°C, and 30°C in April. The average
annual rainfall is 3400mm. |
