Sierra Leone  is in West Africa, emerged from a decade of civil war in 2002 with the help of Britain, the former colonial power, and a large United Nations Peacekeeping Mission.  Several years on the country faced the challenges of reconstructions.

However, Sierra Leone has experience substantial economic growth in recent years, although poverty and unemployment remain major challenges.

The restoration of peace aid the country’s promotion as a tourist destination.

Sierra Leone is also rich in diamonds and other mineral, the full name is Republic of Sierra Leone. Population at present is 5.7 (UN 2009) The capital is Freetown which is 1.2m from the International Airport Area is 71, 740 sq km (27, 699 sq m).

Major languages: Krio which derived from English and English and a range of African languages.

Major trading partners Belgium, Germany, USA, UK, China and West African countries.

Major religions are:  Christianity and Islam.

Life expentancy; 46years for men and 49 years women (UN).

Monetary unit; Leone, currency leone, (L) 1 leone = 100 cents.

There are numerous types of foreign bureau and banks where foreign currencies can be changed at a very competitative rates.

Main exports; diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish etc

Internet domain; S1

International dialling code; 00 232

Head of state is President Ernest Bai Koroma since 17^th September 2007

Terrestrials Network; Television known as Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS) national.

• ABC TV; Private network
• Radio; SLBS (national broadcaster, radio democracy 98.1 fm
• KISS FM- Private Station in Bo (one of the provinces)
• SKYY FM- Private Station in Freetown
• Radio UNAMSIL – UN Radio network private
• Capital radio- Private station in Freetown
• Capital radio – Private station in Freetown
• Believers broadcasting network – Freetown, Christian fm station
• Voice of the handicapped – founded as an FM station for disabled citizens, but attracts a wider audience

Various news agency/ websites namely; Cotton Tree news, new website, operated by NGO’s and Sierra Leone news agency

Sierra Leone shares borders with Guinea and Liberia by 400km coastline overlooks the North Atlantic Ocean.  The country can broadly be divided into three areas.  Mangrove Swamps and beaches along the coast, a belt of low-lying wooded land in the immediate interior; and a mountain plateau rising to 2,000 metres further inland.

The climate is tropical, with a hot, humid, rainy season from May to December and a winter dry season from December to April.

INTERNATIONAL RELATION

Sierra Leone together with Guinea and Liberia form the Mano River Union.

There relationship remain good, Sierra Leone enjoyed the support of the wider Economic Community of West African States; (ECOWAS) of which it’s a member.

ECOWAS cultural relation with UK, British council has had an office in Freetown since 1943, interlia, it currently manages a portfolio of DFID projects on gender, youth, education, and access to justice.

The UK and Sierra Leone have long enjoyed substantial links.

TRANSPORTATION

The main airport in Sierra Leone is located on the other side of the river – Airport and Freetown are separated by the Sierra Leone River  There are different mode of transfer to the city from the airport; The airport is situated at Lungai which is surrounded by an island and will need one of these mode to be transfered.

Helicopter; reliable, prices range from $ 80 (dollar) journey time is 7 mins can be booked on line or purchased at the airport.

Water Taxi; these are slightly bigger than speedboat, run on dual engines by the Pelican water taxi, prices range from $40 (dollar) journey around 30 mins.

Hovercraft $50 (dollar) journey 40 mins.

Ferry; is the cheapest option though not quickest and to get to the terminal you have to go via car or taxi or airport bus shuttle service, costing around $2 journey can take 45 – 60 mins, but only runs with schedule flight and at no fixed times.

By road; it is also possible to drive to Freetown from Lungi via Port Loko one of the provinces in Freetown It makes sense only if you are heading to the country side rather than Freetown, it will take 4 hours However, there are no vehicles rental agency at the airport, therefore, private vehicle would have to be pre arranged.

ACCOMODATION

There are numerous hotels, bed and breakfast and hostels in Sierra Leone. They start from 1 star to 5 stars  You can search the internet before travel to get  a list  of hotels.