Geography

Sierra Leone Atlantic Ocean at the Western Peninsula near Freetown

Photo: John Caddick

The Republic of Sierra Leone is situated in western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Guinea and Liberia. It has a total land area of 71,740 km2 and a coastline of about 400 km.

The climate is tropical with a hot, humid summer rainy season from May to December and a winter dry season from December to April. Dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara from December to February. Rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa.

Sierra Leone Mangrove Swamps near Freetown

Western Reef Heron Egretta Gularis

Photo: John Caddick

The terrain is a coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, rainforest patches with mountains in the east, the highest point being Loma Mansa (Bintumani) at 1,948 m. The population is about 5 million and English is the official language although Krio (a heterogeneous patois) is the lingua franca. More details can be found at CIA Factbook.

Sierra Leone Stream in dense forest at Gola North

Photo: John Caddick

Last page update 2nd February 2010