Location: Western Africa, on the Atlantic coast, between the Republic of Guinea and Liberia
Capital: Freetown
Tourist Attractions: Sierra Leone is one of the poorest nations in the world in spite of its rich mineral and diamond reserves. A ten-year long civil war ended in 2002 and UN Peacekeepers still police parts of the country. The country is known for its scenic mountains, beautiful beaches, lovely islands, and verdant national parks. Tourist attractions in Sierra Leone include the towns of Freetown and Kabala, Banana Islands, a popular diving site, Mt. Bintumani, famous for its unique wildlife and a breathtaking view from the summit, and the Outamba-Kilimi National Park, known for its unique and diverse wildlife including chimpanzees.
Access: Sierra Leone has good air links with many countries in Africa, and the rest of the world. SN Brussels operates twice-weekly flights from Brussels (Belgium) in Europe to Freetown. Many airlines also have direct flights from London to Freetown. An alternate day ferry service connects Freetown to Conakry. Tourists can also cross borders from Guinea Republic and Liberia.
Climate: Sierra Leone has a hot and humid tropical climate all year round. It has two seasons: the hot and humid rainy season (May to November) and the dry winter season (December to April). It gets torrential rainfall during the rainy season.