Sierra Leone Republic of Sierra Leone

Capital Freetown Area 27,699 sq mi 71,740 sq km Population 5,732,681 est 2003 Largest city Freetown pop. 1,051,000 Languages English (official), Mende, Temne, Krio (English-based Creole) Peoples 20 native African tribes 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, Bolom and others 30%), Creole (Krio) 10% Religion Islam 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10% Life Expectancy total population: 42.69 years male: 40.23 years female: 45.21 years (2004 est.) Literacy total population: 31.4% male: 45.4% female: 18.2% (1995 est.) Suffrage 18 years of age; universal Government Constitutional democracy back to Africa Map