sierra leone

area
population
capital
head of state
official language
currency
exchange rate

(source: lonely planet)

72,325 sq km
5.5 million
freetown
kabah
english
leone
check out oanda.com
for current exchange rates

 

this information comes from a visit to the country in january 2002. things might have changed since then. these are my personal impressions and it's well possible that other travellers will not share my views.
visa

from the british embassy in abidjan. 24 hours for processing, cfa 30·000 (if i remember right), no problem.

getting in and out

 

getting across the lagune form lunghi airport to town: helicopter services (paramount / diamond) connect all international flights usd 20 / 18, respectively

places to stay

 

in aberdeen: cookle bay guesthouse, usd 20.--, shared bathroom, nice staff

downtown: maconda guesthouse (lp) at circular road / maculay road, usd 10.·(including breakfast) , shared bathroom, nice family runs the place

 

other

 

 money: slightly better rates on the street outside the big banks in central freetown

curfew: no more curfew

good place to go out: ·paddys·, aberdeen