The potential for tourism in Sierra Leone is vast, but currently unrealised. There are some good hotels in Freetown, but facilities are very limited in other cities.

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Sierra Leone has a 400 km. (250 mi.) long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. It covers a total area of 71,740 sq. km. (27,700 sq. mi.) and has a population of around 6.3 million. The country has a diverse environment, ranging from savannah to rainforest. Along the coast are some very high quality beaches. The largest city, and the capital is Freetown with a population of around 1.1 million. Freetown was founded in 1792 as a settlement for freed American slaves who arrived up to around 1885. Their descendants still live primarily in Freetown and its surrounding areas.

A decade long civil war ended in 2002, and much of the tourism infrastructure needs rebuilding after years of conflict. Before the war Sierra Leon attracted some 100,000 tourists a year, mainly Europeans. They came to enjoy the country's natural beauty and secluded white sandy beaches or to climb through unspoiled rainforest. To get the tourism infrastructure rebuild is not the only problem Sierra Leon has, the country is extremely poor, unemployment very high and the education system has not met expectations.

The potential for tourism is vast, but currently unrealised. There are some good hotels in Freetown, but facilities are very limited in other cities, although improvements are being made. Lumley Beach on the outskirts of Freetown is perhaps one of the finest in Western Africa. Turner's Peninsula has almost 100 km. of unbroken quality beach.

There is only one international airport in Sierra Leone, the Lungi International Airport, located in the coastal town of Lungi, across the river from Freetown. Passengers cross the river to Aberdeen Heliports in Freetown by hovercraft, ferry or helicopter. Lungi Airport is the primary airport for domestic and international travel to and from Sierra Leone. All persons entering Sierra Leone must have a valid passport or travel document. All nationals require a visa to enter, unless they are a citizen of a memberstate of the Economic Community of West African States. Visas are issued at Sierra Leone's overseas missions.

Sierra Leone has a tropical climate with a rainy season. From October to March the weather is generally dry with many fine, hot, sunny days. From April to September, is the rainy season. The beginning and end of the rainy season is marked by strong thunder storms. The rainfall increases to a peak in July and August.

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