Sierra Leone possesses substantial mineral, agricultural and fishery resources (nearly half of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture). Recently, however, economic growth has been driven by mining – particularly iron ore. The country was hard hit by the 2014 Ebola epidemic, which caused a contraction of economic activity in several sectors and deterred private investment.

Name Republic of Sierra Leone

Capital Freetown 

Frequency of elections Every five years

Name of parliament Parliament of Sierra Leone

Parliament website www.sl-parliament.org

Languages English, Mende, Temne, Krio

Area 71 740 km²

Population 5 743 725 (July 2014 est)

Imports Foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals

Exports Diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish

Currency Leone

Source: CIA World Factbook
Image: Alamy