Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone, a small country in western Africa, is home to over 7.6 million people. With an area of 71,740 square kilometers, Sierra Leone has four physical regions: the coastal swamp, the Sierra Leone Peninsula, the interior plains, and the interior plateau and mountain regions. The Mende and Temne are the two largest ethnic groups among the 18 other ethnicities that make up the population. English and Krio (a language derived from English and various African languages) are the official languages. Islam and Christianity are the predominant religions, with traditional beliefs also present.
The economy of Sierra Leone is predominantly reliant on agriculture and mining. Rice, cassava, coffee, cacao, and oil palm are the main crops while diamonds, rutile, and bauxite are mined for export. Wildlife includes chimpanzees, crocodiles and many species of birds.
The government of Sierra Leone is a republic with one legislative house, Parliament, which consists of 146 members. The president is the head of state and government and is elected by universal adult suffrage.
Sierra Leone has a life expectancy at birth of 48.3 years for males and 50.8 years for females. The literacy rate for those aged 15 and over stands at 52% for men and 35% for women. The GNI per capita is 490 U.S. dollars, while the total GNI is 3,932 U.S. dollars.