Sierra Leone
Republic of Sierra Leone
People: Sierra Leonean
Sierra Leone is located in Western Africa and has a population of around 9.1 million. Its capital city is Freetown, and the most widely spoken official language is English.
By the numbers, Sierra Leone is the 101st most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 0.11% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 117th out of 196, with a population density of roughly 127 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
Sierra Leone — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | Republic of Sierra Leone |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Freetown |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Western Africa |
| Population | 9,077,691 |
| Area | 71,740 km² |
| Currency | Leone (SLE) Le |
| Official Language | English |
| Dialling Code | +232 |
| Internet TLD | .sl |
| Timezone | UTC |
| Drives on the | Right side |
| Emergency Number | 112 (works on most mobile networks worldwide) |
| ISO Code | SL / SLE |
| Borders | Guinea, Liberia |
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Getting to and around Sierra Leone
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Planning a trip to Sierra Leone?
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Frequently Asked Questions about Sierra Leone
What is the capital and currency of Sierra Leone?
The capital of Sierra Leone is Freetown and the currency is the Leone (SLE), symbol Le.
What is the capital of Sierra Leone?
The capital of Sierra Leone is Freetown.
What currency does Sierra Leone use?
Sierra Leone uses the Leone (SLE, symbol: Le).
What language do they speak in Sierra Leone?
The official language of Sierra Leone is English.
What is the dialling code for Sierra Leone?
The international dialling code for Sierra Leone is +232.
What side of the road does Sierra Leone drive on?
Sierra Leone drives on the right-hand side of the road.
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