Sierra Leone Country & Tourist Information

Location
West Africa.

Area
71,740 sq km (27,699 sq miles).

Population
4.76 million (UN estimate 2002).

Population Density
66.4 per sq km.

Capital
Freetown.
Population: 837,000 (UN estimate 2001).

Government
Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1961. 

Language
The official language is English. Krio is also widely spoken. Local dialects are Mende, Limba and Temne.

Religion
Animist (40 per cent), Islam (40 per cent) and Christian (20 per cent).

Time
GMT.

Electricity
220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Supply subject to fluctuations.

Head of State
President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah since 1996.

Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 232.

Mobile Telephone
Coverage limited to Freetown and environs.

Internet
Public access outlets are increasingly popping up, especially in Freetown where access is also available through the British Council.

Media
Media freedom in Sierra Leone is limited, especially when it comes to reporting corruption; Broadcasters face many challenges, such as unreliable electricity supplies, a shortage of funds and a lack of advertising revenue. The UN Mission in Sierra Leone (Unmasil) operates some radio services, broadcasting news of UN activities and human rights information, as well as music and news.



Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes about five days.

Press
Newspapers include Awoko, The Democrat and Concord Times.

Radio
Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS) is the national broadcaster. Private stations include Kiss FM and SKYY FM. FM relays of BBC World Service and Radio France Internationale are on the air in Freetown.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.
 
2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
31 Mar Maulid-un-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet).
6 Apr Good Friday.
9 Apr Easter Monday.
27 Apr Independence Day.
13 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
20 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day. 
20 Mar Maulid-un-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). 
21 Mar Good Friday. 
24 Mar Easter Monday.
27 Apr Independence Day. 
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 
9 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information:

National Tourist Board of Sierra Leone
Street address: Cape Sierra Hotel, Room 100, Aberdeen, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Postal address: PO Box 1435, Aberdeen, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Tel: (22) 236 620.
Website: www.welcometosierraleone.org

High Commission for the Republic of Sierra Leone in the UK
41 Eagle Street, Holborn, London WC1R 4TL, UK
Tel: (020) 7404 0140.
Website: www.slhc-uk.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 1000-1300 for visa submissions and 1430-1530 for collections.

Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in the USA
1701 19th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 939 9261/2.
Website: www.sierra-leone.org


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