Sierra Leone

Republic of Sierra Leone

constitutional democracyIndependence 27 April 1961 (from UK)

Sierra Leone as the 2003 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 116 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalFreetown
Position8 30 N, 11 30 W
Area71,740 sq km
LocationWestern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
2003

Every edition of Sierra Leone

Populationas each edition published it
5.73 million July 2003 est. · 4.17m in 1990
Population growth% a year
2.94% 2003 est. · 2.61% in 1993
Median ageyears
17.5 years 2002 · 19.7 yrs in 2025
Life expectancyyears at birth
42.84 years 2003 est. · 45.87 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
5.86 children per woman 2003 est. · 6.2 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
146.86 deaths per 1,000 live births 2003 est. · 154 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$500 2002 est. · $330 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
6.6% 2002 est. · -1% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Since 1991, civil war between the government and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (well over one-third of the population), many of whom are now refugees in neighboring countries. After several setbacks, the end to the 11-year conflict in Sierra Leone may finally be near at hand. With the support of the UN peacekeeping force and contributions from the World Bank and international community, demobilization and disarmament of the RUF and Civil Defense Forces (CDF) combatants has been completed. National elections were held in May 2002 and the government continues to slowly reestablish its authority.

Geography

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia

18 fields

Land useshare of 71,740 sq km

arable land 6.76%permanent crops 0.78%other 92.46% (1998 est.)irrigated 290 sq km (1998 est.)
Area
71,740sq km
land: 71,620 sq kmwater: 120 sq kmslightly smaller than South Carolina
Coastline
402km
contiguous zone: 24 NMterritorial sea: 12 NMcontinental shelf: 200 NMexclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Highest point
1,948m
Loma Mansa (Bintimani)lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Land boundaries
958km
border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia

Geographic coordinates

8 30 N, 11 30 W

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

Natural hazards

dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms

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;
  • civil war depleting natural resources;
  • overfishing

Environment - international agreements

party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
Environmental Modification

Geography - note

rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa

People

19 fields
Population
5,732,681
(July 2003 est.)growth rate: 2.94% (2003 est.)

Per 1,000 population

Birth
43.89 (2003 est.)Death
20.66 (2003 est.)Net migration
6.19
Net migration: note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly returning (2003 est.)

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2003 est.)42.84
40.33 · 45.42Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)146.86
164.23 · 128.96
TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (1995 est.)31.4%
45.4% · 18.2%Median age years (2002)17.5
17.2 · 17.8
MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic

Religions

Muslim 60%indigenous beliefs 30%Christian 10%

Age structure

0-14 years:
44.8% (male 1,259,421; female 1,310,516)
15-64 years:
52% (male 1,420,900; female 1,557,597)
65 years and over:
3.2% (male 89,078; female 95,169) (2003 est.)

Net migration rate

6.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly returning (2003 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
0.96 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.94 male(s)/female
total population:
0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.86 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

11,000 (2001 est.)

Nationality

noun:
Sierra Leonean(s)
adjective:
Sierra Leonean

Ethnic groups

20 native African tribes 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

Languages

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%)

Government

Constitutional democracy; President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998)

18 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

70.6%
Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%Ernest KOROMA (APC) 22.4%election last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007)

Parliament, 112 seats, elected 14 May 2002one dot, one seat

SLPP 83APC 27PLP 2

Percent of vote

SLPP 70.06%APC 22.35%PLP 3%others 4.59%

Country name

conventional long form:
Republic of Sierra Leone
conventional short form:
Sierra Leone

Government type

constitutional democracy

Capital

Freetown

Administrative divisions

3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*

Independence

27 April 1961 (from UK)

National holiday

Independence Day, 27 April (1961)

Constitution

1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:
President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:
President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
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;
  • election last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007);
  • note - president's tenure of office is limited to two five-year terms
election results:
Ahmad Tejan KABBAH reelected president; percent of vote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%, Ernest KOROMA (APC) 22.4%

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament (124 seats - 112 elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; members serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007)
election results:
percent of vote by party - SLPP 70.06%, APC 22.35%, PLP 3%, others 4.59%; seats by party - SLPP 83, APC 27, PLP 2

Judicial branch

  • Supreme Court;
  • Appeals Court;
  • High Court

Political parties and leaders

  • All People's Congress or APC [Alhaji Sat KOROMA, interim chairman];
  • Citizens United for Peace and Progress or CUPP [Alfred Musa CONTEH, interim chairman];
  • Coalition for Progress Party or CPP [Jeridine WILLIAM-SARHO, interim leader];
  • Democratic Center Party or DCP [Adu Aiah KOROMA];
  • Democratic Labor Party or DLP [George E. L. PALMER];
  • Democratic Party or DP [Henry BALO, acting chairman];
  • National Alliance Democratic Party or NADP [Mohamed Yahya SILLAH, chairman];
  • National Democratic Alliance or NDA [Amadu M. B. JALLOH];
  • National People's Party or NPP [Andrew TURAY];
  • National Republican Party or NRP [Stephen Sahr MAMBU];
  • National Unity Movement or NUM [Sam LEIGH, interim chairman];
  • National Unity Party or NUP [John BENJAMINE, interim leader];
  • Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Darlington MORRISON, interim chairman];
  • People's Democratic Alliance or PDA [Cpl. (Ret.) Abdul Rahman KAMARA, interim chairman];
  • People's Democratic Party or PDP [Osman KAMARA];
  • People's National Convention or PNC [Edward John KARGBO];
  • People's Progressive Party or PPP [Abass Chernok BUNDU, chairman];
  • Revolutionary United Front Party or RUFP [Foday Saybana SANKOH, chairman];
  • Social Democratic Party or SDP [Andrew Victor LUNGAY];
  • Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Ahmad Tejan KABBAH, chairman];
  • United National People's Party or UNPP [John KAREFA-SMART in exile, Raymond KAMARA, acting leader];
  • Young People's Party or YPP [Cornelius DEVEAUS, interim chairman]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Trade Unions and Student Unions

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Ibrahim M. KAMARA
FAX:
[1] (202) 483-1793
telephone:
[1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263
chancery:
1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Peter Russell CHAVEAS
embassy:
Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
[232] (22) 226481 through 226485
FAX:
[232] (22) 225471

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue

Economy

Sierra Leone is an extremely poor African nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution.

37 fields
Real growth rate
6.6%
(2002 est.)industrial production growth: NA%
Labor force
1.369million
(1981 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2001 est.)

agriculture 49%industry 31%services 21% (2001 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

41.9%
Belgium
28.1%
Germany
25%
3.6%
UK
10.9%
Netherlands
7.5%
US
5.7%
Cote d'Ivoire
4.9%
Italy
4.3%
Exports $35 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)Imports $190 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)(2002)

Budget

Revenues
$96 millionExpenditures
$351 million (2000 est.)
expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA

Electricity

fossil fuel 100%hydro 0% · other 0% · nuclear 0%
Electricity production
250.1 million (2001)Electricity consumption
232.6 million (2001)

Economy - overview

Sierra Leone is an extremely poor African nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. It does have substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources. However, the economic and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development, following a 11-year civil war.

About two-thirds 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. Plans continue to reopen bauxite and rutile mines shut down during the conflict.

The major source of hard currency consists of the mining of diamonds. 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 to supplement government revenues.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $2.826 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $500 (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%:
0.5%
highest 10%:
43.6% (1989)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Industries

  • mining (diamonds);
  • small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear);
  • petroleum refining

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption

6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Agriculture - products

  • rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts;
  • poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs;
  • fish

Exports

$35 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)

Exports - commodities

diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish (1999)

Imports

$190 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals (1995)

Debt - external

$1.5 billion (2002 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

$103 million (2001 est.)

Currency

leone (SLL)

Exchange rates

leones per US dollar - 2,099.03 (2002), 1,986.15 (2001), 2,092.12 (2000), 1,804.19 (1999), 1,563.62 (1998)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

8 fields
Mobile cellular
30,000
(2001)
Fixed lines
25,000
(2001) · country code .sl

Telephone system

general assessment:
marginal telephone and telegraph service
domestic:
the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects Freetown to Bo and Kenema
international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (1999)

Internet users

20,000 (2001)

Transportation

9 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

over 3,047 m
1

Airports by runway lengthunpaved only

under 914 m
2914 to 1,523 m
7

Networkskm

Highways
11,330Railways
84Waterways
800
Highways: paved: 895 km · unpaved: 10,435 km (1999) · Railways: narrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge note: Sierra Leone has no common carrier railroads; the existing railroad is private and used on a limited basis while the mine at Marampa is closed (2001) · Waterways: (of which 600 km is navigable year round)

Railways

total:
84 km
narrow gauge:
84 km 1.067-m gauge

note: Sierra Leone has no common carrier railroads; the existing railroad is private and used on a limited basis while the mine at Marampa is closed (2001)

Highways

total:
11,330 km
paved:
895 km
unpaved:
10,435 km (1999)

Waterways

800 km (of which 600 km is navigable year round)

Ports and harbors

Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel

Merchant marine

total:
2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,435 GRT/8,750 DWT
ships by type:
cargo 2

Airports

10 (2002)

Heliports

2 (2002)

Military

Army (RSLAF)

5 fields

Military branches

Army (RSLAF)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 1,228,664 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 596,617 (2003 est.)

Transnational Issues

1 field

Disputes - international

large UN peacekeeping presence ended civil war but rebel gang fighting, ethnic rivalries, illegal diamond trading, corruption, and refugees spill over into neighboring states beset with their own civil disorder, refugees, and violence

Central Intelligence Agency. “Sierra Leone.” The World Factbook 2003. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/sierra-leone/2003.

How to cite ← 2002 edition 2004 edition →