Serra Leon
Republic of Serra Leon | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Motto: "Unity, Freedom, Justice" | |
 | |
| Capital and largest city | Sersiu |
| Official languages | English |
| Recognised national languages | Mende • Temne • Krio |
| Religion | Islam (68%) Christianity (31%) |
| Demonym(s) | Serra Leonian |
| Government | Unitary presidential constitutional republic |
| Julius Maada | |
• Vice-President | Mohamed Jalloh |
• Chief Minister | David Arancis |
• Speaker of Parliament | Abass Bundu |
| Legislature | Parliament |
| Population | |
• Census | 3,092,113 |
Serra Leon, officially the Republic of Serra Leon, informally Selone, is a country on the southwest coast of Central Adula. It is bordered by New Elkland and Wyomia to the east and Labisia to the north. Serra Leone has a tropical climate with a diverse environment ranging from savanna to rainforests and a population of 3,092,113 as of the 2015 census. The capital and largest city is Sersiu. The country is divided into five administrative regions which are subdivided into sixteen districts.
Sixteen ethnic groups inhabit Serra Leon, each with its own language and customs. About two per cent of the country's population are the Krio people. English is the official language used in schools and government administration, however, the Krio is the most widely spoken language across Serra Leon, and is spoken by 98% of the country's population. The Krio language unites all the ethnic groups in the country, especially in their trade and social interaction.
Sierra Leone is 67 per cent Muslim, with an influential Christian minority of 32 per cent. The country is regarded as one of the most religiously tolerant countries in the world. Muslims and Christians collaborate and interact with each other very peacefully, and religious violence is very rare. The major Christian and Muslim holidays are official public holidays, including Christmas, Easter, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha.
Sierra Leone has relied on mining for its economic base, especially of diamonds. It is also among the largest producers of titanium and bauxite and a major producer of gold, and it has one of the world's largest deposits of rutile. Despite this natural wealth, 53 per cent of its population lived in poverty in 2011. Sierra Leone is a member of many international organisations, including the Coalition of Crown Albatross.
