Northern Province, Sierra Leone

Northern Province
province
Country Sierra Leone
Capital Makeni
Area
 • Total 35,936 km2 (13,875 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)
 • Total 2,502,865
 • Density 70/km2 (180/sq mi)
Time zone Greenwich Mean Time (UTC-5)

The Northern Province (commonly referred to as Northern Sierra Leone or simply the North) is one of the four provincial divisions of Sierra Leone. It is located in the Northern geographic region of Sierra Leone. It comprises the following five Districts: Bombali, Port Loko, Kambia, Koinadugu and Tonkolili. The Northern Province covers an area of 35,936 km2 (13,875 sq mi) with a population of 2,502,865, based on the 2015 Sierra Leone national census . Its administrative and economic center is Makeni. The North borders the Western Area to the West, the Republic of Guinea to the north-east, the Eastern Province and Southern Province to the south-east.

Geography

Overview

The Northern province is mainly hilly wooded area with mountainous area farther inland. Along the coast is mangroves. The region has ranges of Mountains, Hills, Valleys and Wetlands; comprising unique and endangered species. One of the main tourist attracted places in the North is the Outamba-Kilimi National Park, The park is one of the most well-known and frequently visited sites in Sierra Leone. The region is a political stronghold of the All People's Congress (APC) political party. The APC currently control virtually all elected seats from the North.

Districts

The five districts of the Northern Province.

Borders

Northern Province has the following borders:

Northern Province has a short shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean.

Outamba-Kilimi National Park

One of the main tourist attraction in the North is the Outamba-Kilimi National Park. The park is one of the most well-known and frequently visited sites in Sierra Leone. The Park is found in the northeastern of Kamakwie in the Bombali District. It is a magical place embedded between two rivers, the Great Scarcies, and the Mongo Rivers. At the park are rare elephants and buffaloes frequently seen following their paths through the dense bush. See the Hippos relaxing in their pools or listen to the songs of the rich bird life and the alarm calls of the various primates while silently paddling along the river in a canoe.

Ethnic groups and religion

The Temne people are the largest ethnic group in Northern Sierra Leone. The Temne form the largest ethnic group in every districts in the north, except Koinadugu District. Other ethnic groups in Northern Sierra Leone with significant population are the Limba, Kuranko, Mandingo, Loko, the Fula, and Yalunka.

The Region is largely muslim at about 85% of the population. Christians form a significant minority of the population, particularly in Bombali District, Traditional African religion is also prevalent in the district.

See also

References

    Coordinates: 9°15′N 11°45′W / 9.250°N 11.750°W / 9.250; -11.750

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