Sierra Leone
Estimate population 5,480,00 - Capital City Freetown
Sierra Leone lies less than 10o from the equator. It faces the Atlantic Ocean to the west and is bounded by Guinea and Liberia. It covers an area of 71,740 square kilometres (27,699 square miles).
The beautiful interior plains are covered by savanna grasslands, rocky scarps and hills. A high, mountainous region includes Bintimani Peak 1,948 metres (6,390 feet) which is the highest in the country. The main rivers are the Great Scarcies, Little Scarcies, Rokel (called Sierra Leone in its lower course), Jong, and Mano. The splendid Sierra Leone and Sherbro estuaries are navigable for ocean going vessels and well worth exploring. English is the official language but Krio is also spoken.
Wildlife includes the monkey, chimpanzee, tiger, porcupine, antelope, crocodile, and many species of birds. Outamba-Kilimi National Park, which opened in 1981, protects the wildlife. Tourism is promoted and Sierra Leone is well worth a visit.