The government is slowly reestablishing its authority after the 1991 to 2002 civil war that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and Read More…

The government is slowly reestablishing its authority after the 1991 to 2002 civil war that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (about one-third of the population).. The last UN peacekeepers withdrew in December 2005, leaving full responsibility for security with domestic forces, but a new civilian UN office remains to support the government. Mounting tensions related to planned 2007 elections, deteriorating political and economic conditions in Guinea, and the tenuous security situation in neighboring Liberia may present challenges to continuing progress in Sierra Leone’s stability.

Population: 6,017,643 (July 2005 est.)

Literacy: 29.6%

Life Expectancy: 39.87 years

People living with AIDS: 170,000 (2001 est.)

Population living below Poverty: 68% (1989 est.)

Land Use:arable land: 6.98%

Permanent crops: 0.89%

Other: 92.13% (2001)

Natural Hazards: dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms

Natural Resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite