Country Profile

Formal Name:   Republic of Sierra Leone 
Local Name:   Sierra Leone
Government:   Constitutional republic
Structure:   3 provinces, divided into 12 districts, divided into chiefdoms
Formation:   27 April 1961 (independence from the UK)
Motto:   Unity, Freedom, Justice
Anthem:   High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free
Languages:   English, Krio
Population:   6.5 million
Area:   71,740 km2 (119th)
Currency:   Leone (SLL)
Capital:   Freetown (1.2 million)
Main Cities:  Bo (215,474), Kenema (164,125), Koidu Town (111,800), Makeni (105,900)