Sierra Leone
8 30 N, 11 30 W
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
total: 958 km
border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms
diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite
arable land: 7.95%
permanent crops: 1.05%
other: 91% (2005)
rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing
Tropical and humid all year. Between November and April, it is very hot and dry, although the coastal areas are cooled by sea breezes. In December and January, the dry, dusty Harmattan wind blows from the Sahara. During the rainy season between May and November, rainfall can be torrential.
time difference: UTC 0
