Sierra Leone
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Introduction - Sierra Leone: | Location - Sierra Leone: | 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 | |
People - Sierra Leone: | Government - Sierra Leone: | Economy - Sierra Leone: | Communications - Sierra Leone: | Transportation - Sierra Leone: | Military - Sierra Leone: |
This page was last updated on 16 September, 2007 Source: CIA >>> |