Sierra Leonean Geography, Sierra Leone Geography
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Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
Geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 11 30 W
Map references: Africa
Area: Total: 71,740 sq km land: 71,620 sq km water: 120 sq km
Area - comparative: Slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries: Total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
Coastline: 402 km
Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm
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
Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
Natural resources: Diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite
Land use: Arable land: 6.98% permanent crops: 0.89% other: 92.13% (2001)
Irrigated land: 290 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: Dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms
Environment - current issues: 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
Environment - international agreements: Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note: Rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa
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The information here has been derived from Public Domain Sources such as the CIA World Factbook. No liability can be taken for any inaccuracies.
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