Independence Year : 1961
Population : 4854000
Life Expectancy : 45.3
Capital : 3207
GNP : 746.00
GNP Old : 858.00
Local Name : Sierra Leone
Government Form : Republic
Location : Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia.
Terrain : Three areas are coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hills along the immediate interior, and a mountainous plateau in the interior
Climate : tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December)
Ethnic Group : Temne 30%, Mende 30%, Krio 1%, small Lebanese community
Religions : Muslim 60%, Christian 30%, animist 10%.
Official Website :
www.slhc-uk.org.uk
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General Information - 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 (about 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 early 2005, deteriorating political and economic conditions in Guinea, and the tenuous security situation in neighboring Liberia may present challenges to the continuation of Sierra Leone's stability.
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