Sierra Leone: Background & Geography

Introduction Sierra Leone
Background:
 The 1991 to 2002 civil war between the government and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) 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. 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. However, the gradual withdrawal of most UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) peacekeepers in 2004 and the tenuous security situation in neighboring Liberia may present challenges to the continuation of Sierra Leone's stability.
Geography 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 - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
 territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200 NM
contiguous zone: 24 NM
exclusive economic zone: 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: 6.76%
permanent crops: 0.78%
other: 92.46% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
 290 sq km (1998 est.)
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, 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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