Country (long form) Republic of Sierra Leone
Capital Freetown
Total Area 27,698.97 sq mi
71,740.00 sq km
Population 5,232,624 (July 2000 est.)
Languages English (official), Mende (south), Temne (north), Krio (English-Creole, spoken by 10% of the population but understood by 95%)
Religions Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%
Government Type constitutional democracy
Currency 1 leone (Le) = 100 cents
Industry mining (diamonds); small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining
Agriculture rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish
Exports diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish
Natural Resources diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite