Sierra Leone--Geography

CIA FactbookThe World Factbook 1993: Sierra Leone Geography

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Guinea and Liberia

Area: total area: 71,740 km2 land area: 71,620 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina

Land boundaries: total 958 km, Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km

Coastline: 402 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)

Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east

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

Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 31% forest and woodland: 29% other: 13%

Irrigated land: 340 km2 (1989 est.)

Environment: extensive mangrove swamps hinder access to sea; deforestation; soil degradation