Living in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone lies on the Atlantic coast of West Africa and borders Guinea and Liberia. Around 7.7 million people live there. The country has tropical coastlines, mangroves, forests, hills and savanna-like landscapes in the north. A wet rainy season is followed by a significantly drier period; along the coast, it is usually warm and humid. In Freetown and other cities, many people live in concrete or brick houses, while villages with simpler homes and gardens are common in rural areas. Buses, shared taxis and motorcycles connect communities, often along roads of varying quality. Work can be found, among other sectors, in agriculture, fishing, trade and mining; football, music and family celebrations shape leisure time.