Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is divided into four administrative regions: the Northern Province, Eastern Province, Southern Province and the Western Area; which are subdivided into fourteen districts. The districts have their own directly elected local government known as district council, headed by a council chairman. Freetown is the capital, largest city as well as its economic, commercial and political centre. Since Independence, Sierra Leone's politics has been dominated by two major political parties, the Sierra Leone People's Party and the All People's Congress.

History
Archaeological finds show that Sierra Leone has been inhabited continuously for at least 2,500 years,[21] populated by successive movements from other parts of Africa.[22] The use of iron was introduced to Sierra Leone by the 9th century, and by 1000 A.D. agriculture was being practised by coastal tribes.[23] Sierra Leone's dense tropical rainforest largely protected it from the influence of any pre-colonial African empires[24] and from further Islamic influence of the Mali Empire. The Islamic faith, however, became common in the 18th century.

Geography and climate
Sierra Leone is located on the west coast of Africa, lying mostly between latitudes 7° and 10°N (a small area is south of 7°), and longitudes 10° and 14°W. The country is bordered by Guinea to the north and northeast, Liberia to the south and southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

Economy
Sierra Leone is slowly emerging from a protracted civil war and is showing signs of a successful transition. Investor and consumer confidence have continued to rise, adding impetus to the country's economic recovery. There is greater freedom of movement and the successful re-habitation and resettlement of residential areas.

Rich in minerals, Sierra Leone has relied on mining, especially diamonds, for its economic base. The country is among the top ten diamond producing nations. Mineral exports remain the main foreign currency earner. Sierra Leone is a major producer of gem-quality diamonds. Though rich in diamonds, it has historically struggled to manage their exploitation and export.

Religion
Followers of Islam constitute the majority of the population, while Christians form a significant minority. Muslims are estimated to comprise 60% of Sierra Leone's population according to the US Department of State, while 20 to 30% are reported to be followers of Christianity, and 5 to 10% of the population practice indigenous animist beliefs. The 2007 UNHCR's "Report on International Religious Freedom in Sierra Leone"[93] estimated 60% Muslim, 20 to 30% Christian and 5 to 10% other beliefs, with many citizens practising a mixture of Islam and traditional indigenous religious beliefs or Christianity and traditional indigenous beliefs. The Pew Research Center estimates the Muslim population at 71.3% (4,059,000).[95] Muslims predominate in all of the country's three provinces and the Western Area, though formerly they were concentrated in the north with the south being mainly Christian.


Tourist Attraction Point
John Obey Beach
Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary
Banana Islands
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

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Popular cities in Sierra Leone

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