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Clinics: SIERRA LEONE AND LIBERIA

GENERAL STATISTICS - LIBERIA

Environment
The country is divided into three geographic regions: the coastal plain contains most of the population, and is low and swampy; the central plateau, crossed by numerous valleys and covered by dense tropical forests; and the mountainous inland along the border with Guinea. In the fertile coastal areas, rice, coffee, sugarcane, cocoa and palm oil are produced. American companies own large rubber plantations. Liberia is also the leading African iron-ore producer. War, the loss of biodiversity and erosion are the main threats to the environment.

Society
Peoples: Most Liberians belong to the Mende, Kwa and Vai groups, which are split into nearly 30 ethnic sub groups. Of these, the most significant are the Mandingo, Kpelle, Mendo, Kru, Gola and Bassa (the Vai are renowned for having created one of the few African written languages). The descendants of ‘repatriated’ US and Caribbean slaves control business and politics, though they constitute only 5 per cent of the population.

Religions:
The majority profess traditional African religions. About 15 per cent are Muslim, and slightly fewer Christian. The State is officially Christian.
Languages: English (official), although it is only spoken by 15 per cent of the population. The rest speak African languages (some 30 are spoken throughout the country).

Political parties:
National Patriotic Party (NPP) Unity Paty; All Liberia Coalition Party; Alliance of Political Parties; United People’s Party (UPP); Liberian People’s Party (LPP); United Liberation Movement for Democracy in Liberia (ULIMO); Liberia Peace Council (LNC); Ulimo-J and Ulimo-K (both created after the division of the United Liberian Independence Movement).

Social organizations:
Federation of Liberian Trade Unions; National Students Union of Liberia.

The State
Official name: Republic of Liberia.

Administrative divisions: 13 Counties.

Capital: Monrovia 479,000 people (1999).

Other cities: Buchanan 26,800 people; Yekepa 22,100; Harbel 17,300; Gbarnga 13,600 (2000).
Government: On January 16, 2006 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a United Methodist, became President of Liberia.

National holiday: July 26, Independence Day (1847)

GENERAL STATISTICS - SIERRA LEONE

Environment
The country is divided into three regions. The coastal strip, nearly 100 kilometers long, is a swampy plain that includes the island of Sherbro. Several rivers drain the inner tropical forest, mostly cleared for agricultural exploitation. The eastern plateau contains the country’s diamond mines. Deforestation is very severe, 85 per cent of all natural habitat has been destroyed.

Society
Peoples: The Temne and Mende account for nearly one-third of the population. Lokko, Sherbro, Limba, Sussu, Fulah, Kono and Krio are other important groups. The Krio - whose name is from the English word ‘creole’ - are descendants of African slaves freed in the 19th century who settled in Freetown. There is also an Arab minority.

Religions: Most of the people profess traditional African religions; nearly one third are Muslims, concentrated in the north; the Christian minority is located in the capital.

Languages: English (official). The most widely spoken native languages are Temne, Mende and Krio. The latter serves as the commercial language in the capital.

Political parties: Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP); All Peoples’ Congress (APC); United Political Movements Front. The Revolutionary United Front (RUF).

Social organizations: Sierra Leone Labor Congress.

The State
Official name: Republic of Sierra Leone.

Capital: Freetown 822,000 people (1999).

Other cities: Koidu 109,900 people; Bo 79,700; Kenema 69,900 (2000).

Government: Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, president elected in March 1996, re-elected in 2002; he was overthrown by Major Johnny Paul Koroma in May 1997, and re-installed when the UN-Ecomog forces took Sierra Leone in March 1998. Unicameral Legislature: House of Representatives, with 112 members.

National holiday: April 19, Republic Day (1971).