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Compare Sierra Leone (2004) - Liberia (2001)

Compare Sierra Leone (2004) z Liberia (2001)

 Sierra Leone (2004)Liberia (2001)
 Sierra LeoneLiberia
Administrative divisions 3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western* 13 counties; Bomi, Bong, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, Sinoe
Age structure 0-14 years: 44.8% (male 1,291,621; female 1,343,827)


15-64 years: 52% (male 1,458,610; female 1,599,109)


65 years and over: 3.2% (male 91,232; female 99,490) (2004 est.)
0-14 years:
43.21% (male 698,178; female 695,599)

15-64 years:
53.34% (male 840,103; female 880,403)

65 years and over:
3.45% (male 56,073; female 55,481) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber
Airports 10 (2003 est.) 46 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total:
2

over 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 9


914 to 1,523 m: 7


under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
total:
44

1,524 to 2,437 m:
3

914 to 1,523 m:
5

under 914 m:
36 (2000 est.)
Area total: 71,740 sq km


land: 71,620 sq km


water: 120 sq km
total:
111,370 sq km

land:
96,320 sq km

water:
15,050 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than South Carolina slightly larger than Tennessee
Background The 1991 to 2002 civil war between the government and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (well over one-third of the population), many of whom are now refugees in neighboring countries. With the support of the UN peacekeeping force and contributions from the World Bank and international community, demobilization and disarmament of the RUF and Civil Defense Forces (CDF) combatants has been completed. National elections were held in May 2002 and the government continues to slowly reestablish its authority. However, the gradual withdrawal of most UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) peacekeepers in 2004 and early 2005, deteriorating political and economic conditions in Guinea, and the tenuous security situation in neighboring Liberia may present challenges to the continuation of Sierra Leone's stability. Seven years of civil strife were brought to a close in 1996 when free and open presidential and legislative elections were held. President TAYLOR now holds strong executive power with no real political opposition. The years of fighting coupled with the flight of most businesses have disrupted formal economic activity. A still unsettled domestic security situation has slowed the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country.
Birth rate 43.34 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 46.55 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $96 million


expenditures: $351 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2000 est.)
revenues:
$NA

expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Capital Freetown Monrovia
Climate tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April) tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers
Coastline 402 km 579 km
Constitution 1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times 6 January 1986
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone


conventional short form: Sierra Leone
conventional long form:
Republic of Liberia

conventional short form:
Liberia
Currency leone (SLL) Liberian dollar (LRD)
Death rate 20.62 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 16.36 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $1.5 billion (2002 est.) $3 billion (1999 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Russell CHAVEAS


embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown


mailing address: use embassy street address


telephone: [232] (22) 226481 through 226485


FAX: [232] (22) 225471
chief of mission:
Ambassador Bismarck MYRICK

embassy:
111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 10-0098, Mamba Point, Monrovia

mailing address:
use embassy street address

telephone:
[231] 226-370 through 226-380

FAX:
[231] 226-148
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Ibrahim M. KAMARA


chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009


telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263


FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793
chief of mission:
Ambassador William BULL

chancery:
5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone:
[1] (202) 723-0437

FAX:
[1] (202) 723-0436

consulate(s) general:
New York
Disputes - international domestic fighting among disparate rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone have created insurgencies, street violence, looting, arms trafficking, ethnic conflicts, and refugees in border areas; in 2003, Guinea and Sierra Leone established a boundary commission to resolve a dispute over the town of Yenga large refugee population from civil war in Sierra Leone
Economic aid - recipient $103 million (2001 est.) $200 million pledged (1998)
Economy - overview Sierra Leone is an extremely poor African nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. It does have substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources. However, the economic and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development, following a 11-year civil war. About two-thirds of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Plans continue to reopen bauxite and rutile mines shut down during the conflict. The major source of hard currency consists of the mining of diamonds. The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad, which is essential to offset the severe trade imbalance and to supplement government revenues. A civil war in 1989-96 destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Many businessmen fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Some returned during 1997. Many will not return. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products, while local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. The democratically elected government, installed in August 1997, inherited massive international debts and currently relies on revenues from its maritime registry to provide the bulk of its foreign exchange earnings. The restoration of the infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy depend on the implementation of sound macro- and micro-economic policies of the new government, including the encouragement of foreign investment. Recent growth has been from a low base, and continued growth will require major policy successes.
Electricity - consumption 232.6 million kWh (2001) 401.8 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 250.1 million kWh (2001) 432 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Mount Wuteve 1,380 m
Environment - current issues rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing tropical rain forest subject to deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
party to:
Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified:
Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
Ethnic groups 20 native African tribes 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole (Krio) 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century), refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, and Bella), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the US who had been slaves), Congo People 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves)
Exchange rates leones per US dollar - 2,347.94 (2003), 2,099.03 (2002), 1,986.15 (2001), 2,092.12 (2000), 1,804.19 (1999) Liberian dollars per US dollar - 39.8100 (December 2000), 41.0483 (2000), 41.9025 (1999), 41.5075 (1998), 1.0000 (officially fixed rate 1940-97); market exchange rate: Liberian dollars per US dollar - 40 (December 1998), 50 (October 1995)

note:
until December 1997, rates were based on a fixed relationship with the US dollar; beginning in January 1998, rates are market determined
Executive branch chief of state: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007); note - president's tenure of office is limited to two five-year terms


election results: Ahmad Tejan KABBAH reelected president; percent of vote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%, Ernest KOROMA (APC) 22.4%
chief of state:
President Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (since 2 August 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government:
President Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (since 2 August 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (renewable); election last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held NA July 2003)

election results:
Charles Ghankay TAYLOR elected president; percent of vote - Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (NPP) 75.3%, Ellen Johnson SIRLEAF (UP) 9.6%, Alhaji KROMAH (ALCOP) 4%, other 11.1%
Exports NA (2001) $55 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish (1999) diamonds, iron ore, rubber, timber, coffee, cocoa
Exports - partners Belgium 61.2%, Germany 14.2%, UK 4.5%, US 4.5% (2003) Belgium 53%, Switzerland 9%, US 6%, France 4% (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag
GDP purchasing power parity - $3.057 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $3.35 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 49%


industry: 31%


services: 21% (2001 est.)
agriculture:
60%

industry:
10%

services:
30% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $500 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 6.5% (2003 est.) 15% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 8 30 N, 11 30 W 6 30 N, 9 30 W
Geography - note rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa -
Heliports 2 (2003 est.) -
Highways total: 11,330 km


paved: 895 km


unpaved: 10,435 km (1999)
total:
10,600 km

paved:
657 km

unpaved:
9,943 km

note:
(there is major deterioration on all highways due to heavy rains and lack of maintenance) (1996 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 0.5%


highest 10%: 43.6% (1989)
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs - increasingly a transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets
Imports NA (2001) $170 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals (1995) fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods; rice and other foodstuffs
Imports - partners Germany 23.7%, UK 9.9%, Cote d'Ivoire 7.4%, France 7.4%, US 5.3%, Netherlands 5.1%, Ukraine 4.6% (2003) South Korea 30%, Italy 24%, Japan 15%, Germany 9% (1999)
Independence 27 April 1961 (from UK) 26 July 1847
Industrial production growth rate NA NA
Industries mining (diamonds); small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining rubber processing, palm oil processing, diamonds
Infant mortality rate total: 145.24 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 162.64 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 127.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
132.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1% (2002 est.) 5% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 290 sq km (1998 est.) 20 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court Supreme Court
Labor force 1.369 million (1981 est.) -
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA agriculture 70%, industry 8%, services 22% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries total: 958 km


border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
total:
1,585 km

border countries:
Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km
Land use arable land: 6.98%


permanent crops: 0.89%


other: 92.13% (2001)
arable land:
1%

permanent crops:
3%

permanent pastures:
59%

forests and woodland:
18%

other:
19% (1993 est.)
Languages English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%) English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which a few can be written and are used in correspondence
Legal system based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament (124 seats - 112 elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; members serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - SLPP 70.06%, APC 22.35%, PLP 3%, others 4.59%; seats by party - SLPP 83, APC 27, PLP 2
bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (26 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (64 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held in NA 2006); House of Representatives - last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held in NA 2003)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 21, UP 3, ALCOP 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 49, UP 7, ALCOP 3, Alliance of Political Parties 2, UPP 2, LPP 1; note - the Alliance of Political Parties was a coalition of the LAP and the Liberia Unification Party or LUP
Life expectancy at birth total population: 42.69 years


male: 40.23 years


female: 45.21 years (2004 est.)
total population:
51.41 years

male:
49.96 years

female:
52.91 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic


total population: 31.4%


male: 45.4%


female: 18.2% (1995 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
38.3%

male:
53.9%

female:
22.4% (1995 est.)

note:
these figures are increasing because of the improving school system
Location Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm
territorial sea:
200 NM
Merchant marine total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,435 GRT/8,750 DWT


by type: cargo 2 (2004 est.)
total:
1,478 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 49,456,361 GRT/76,620,648 DWT

ships by type:
barge carrier 3, bulk 324, cargo 97, chemical tanker 163, combination bulk 20, combination ore/oil 38, container 245, liquefied gas 97, multi-functional large-load carrier 4, passenger 24, petroleum tanker 310, refrigerated cargo 74, roll on/roll off 19, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 12, vehicle carrier 45

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 8, Australia 1, Ashmore and Cartier Islands 1, Austria 5, Bermuda 5, Belgium 5, Burma 1, Brazil 8, Canada 1, China 28, Chile 7, Costa Rica 8, Cyprus 27, Denmark 4, Ecuador 1, Germany 117, Greece 83, Hong Kong 54, Croatia 9, Indonesia 2, India 8, Israel 1, Italy 8, Japan 85, South Korea 8, Latvia 15, Monaco 28, Mexico 6, Malaysia 1, Nigeria 1, Netherlands 7, Norway 86, Netherlands Antilles 1, NZ 1, Poland 2, Portugal 2, Philippines 1, Russia 22, Saudi Arabia 20, South Africa 1, Slovenia 1, Singapore 30, Spain 1, Sweden 8, Switzerland 23, UAE 5, Taiwan 10, UK 15, US 85, Uruguay 1, Vietnam 1 (2000 est.)
Military branches Army (RSLAF) Army, Air Force, Navy
Military expenditures - dollar figure $11.7 million (2003) $1 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.5% (2003) 2% (FY98)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,265,140 (2004 est.) males age 15-49:
715,753 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 614,338 (2004 est.) males age 15-49:
385,460 (2001 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 27 April (1961) Independence Day, 26 July (1847)
Nationality noun: Sierra Leonean(s)


adjective: Sierra Leonean
noun:
Liberian(s)

adjective:
Liberian
Natural hazards dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)
Natural resources diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population


note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly returning (2004 est.)
-11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

note:
by the end of 1999, all Liberian refugees, who had fled the domestic strife, were assumed to have returned
Political parties and leaders All People's Congress or APC [Ben KANU]; Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Darlington MORRISON, interim chairman]; Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Sama BANYA]; numerous others All Liberia Coalition Party or ALCOP [Lusinee KAMARA]; Liberian Action Party or LAP [Cletus WOTORSON]; Liberian National Union or LINU [Henry MONIBA, chairman]; Liberian People's Party or LPP [Togba-Nah TIPOTEH, chairman]; National Democratic Party of Liberia or NDPL [Isaac DAKINAH]; National Patriotic Party or NPP [Charles Ghankay TAYLOR] - governing party; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Chea CHEAPOO, chairman]; Reformation Alliance Party or RAP [Henry Boimah FAHNBULLEH, chairman]; True Whig Party or TWP [Rudolph SHERMAN, chairman]; United People's Party or UPP [Gabriel Baccus MATTHEWS, chairman]; Unity Party or UP [Charles Clarke]
Political pressure groups and leaders Trade Unions and Student Unions NA
Population 5,883,889 (July 2004 est.) 3,225,837 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 68% (1989 est.) 80%
Population growth rate 2.27% (2004 est.) 1.92% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel Buchanan, Greenville, Harper, Monrovia
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (1999) AM 0, FM 6, shortwave 4 (1999)
Radios - 790,000 (1997)
Railways - total:
490 km (328 km single track); note - three rail systems owned and operated by foreign steel and financial interests in conjunction with the Liberian Government; one of these, the Lamco Railroad, closed in 1989 after iron ore production ceased; the other two were shut down by the civil war; large sections of the rail lines have been dismantled; approximately 60 km of railroad track was exported for scrap

standard gauge:
345 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge:
145 km 1.067-m gauge
Religions Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10% indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female


total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
1.01 male(s)/female

total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: marginal telephone and telegraph service


domestic: the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects Freetown to Bo and Kenema


international: country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment:
telephone and telegraph service via microwave radio relay network; main center is Monrovia

domestic:
NA

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 24,000 (2002) 6,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 67,000 (2002) 0 (1995)
Television broadcast stations 2 (1999) 2 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2000)
Terrain coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast
Total fertility rate 5.79 children born/woman (2004 est.) 6.36 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate NA 70%
Waterways 800 km (2003) none
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