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Sierra Leone:
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Other pages in this profile of Sierra Leone:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
The government is slowly reestablishing its authority after the civil war from 1991 to 2002 that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (about one-third of the population). The last UN peacekeepers withdrew in December 2005 leaving full responsibility for security with domestic forces. A new civilian UN mission - the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) - was established to support the government's efforts to consolidate peace. The most pressing long-term threat to stability in Sierra Leone is the potential for political insecurity surrounding elections in July 2007. |
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Location |
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia |
Geographic coordinates |
8 30 N, 11 30 W |
Map references |
Africa |
Area |
total: 71,740 sq km land: 71,620 sq km water: 120 sq km |
Area - comparative |
slightly smaller than South Carolina |
Land boundaries |
total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km |
Coastline |
402 km |
Maritime claims |
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm |
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 |
Elevation extremes |
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m |
Natural resources |
diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite |
Land use |
arable land: 7.95% permanent crops: 1.05% other: 91% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
300 sq km (2003) |
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 depleted natural resources; overfishing |
Environment - international agreements |
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, 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 |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |