General
Area: 71,740 sq km (27,699 sq miles).
Population: 4,568,000 (1998).
Population Density: 61.7 per sq km.
Capital: Freetown. Population: 1,300,000 (1994).
Geography: Sierra Leone is bordered to the northwest, north and northeast by Guinea Republic, and to the southeast by Liberia. To the south and southwest lies the Atlantic Ocean. A flat plain up to 110km (70 miles) wide stretches the length of the coast except for the Freetown peninsula, where the Sierra Lyoa Mountains rise to 1000m (3280ft). In some coastal areas, sand bars have formed that stretch out as far as 112km (70 miles). Behind the coastal plain is the central forested area, drained by eight principal rivers, which has been cleared for agriculture. The land rises in altitude eastwards to the Guinea Highlands, a high plateau with peaks rising to over 1830m (6000ft) in the Loma Mountains and Tingi Hills area. The Mende tribe is prominent in the south and the Temne in the west and central areas.
Government: Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1961. Head of State and Government: President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah since 1996.
Language: The official language is English. Krio is also widely spoken. Local dialects are Mende, Limba and Temne.
Religion: Animist (40%), Islam (40%) and Christian (20%).
Time: GMT.
Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Supply subject to fluctuations.
Communications: Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 232. Outgoing international code: 00.
Mobile telephone: GSM 1800/900 networks available. Coverage limited to Freetown and environs.
Fax: Facilities are available at Sierratel offices.
Internet/E-mail: ISPs include Sierrra Tel Internet (web site: http://www.sierratel.com). There is at least one cybercafé in Freetown. Public access is also available through the British Council.
Telegram: Facilities at Slecom House, 7 Wallace Johnson Street, Freetown.
Post: Airmail to Western Europe takes about five days.
Press: Sierra Leone's English-language daily is The Daily Mail. Other newspapers are The Daily Observer, For Di People and The Vision.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC:
MHz 17.83 15.42 11.86 7.160
Voice of America:
MHz 17.79 12.00 6.035 0.909 |
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