Sierra Leone
Background Information
Background
The government is slowly reestablishing its authority after the 1991 to 2002 civil war that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than two million people (about one-third of the population). The last UN peacekeepers withdrew in December 2005, leaving full responsibility for security with domestic forces, but a new civilian UN office remains to support the government. Mounting tensions related to planned 2007 elections, deteriorating political and economic conditions in Guinea, and the tenuous security situation in neighboring Liberia may present challenges to continuing progress in Sierra Leone’s stability.
Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
Area:
- total: 71,740 sq km
- land: 71,620 sq km
- water: 120 sq km
Comparative Area: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)
Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east
Natural Resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite
Environment/Current Issues: 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; over fishing
Note: rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa
Table of Comparative Statistics
United States |
Sierra Leone |
South Africa |
India |
|
Population |
301,139,947 |
6,144,562 |
43,997,828 |
1,129,866,154 |
Median Age: |
36.6 years |
17.5 years |
24.3 years |
24.8 years |
Number of children per women in lifetime |
2.09 |
6.01 |
2.16 |
2.81 |
Infant mortality rate |
6.37 deaths/1,000 live births |
158.27 deaths/1,000 live births |
59.44 deaths/1,000 live births |
34.61 deaths/1,000 live births |
Life expectancy at birth |
78 years |
42.87 years |
42.45 years |
68.59 years |
Literacy (age 15 and older can read and write) |
99% |
35.1% |
86.4% |
61% |
Source: Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook 2007. Washington, D.C.: Potomac, 2007.