Northern Province, Sierra Leone

Northern Province
province
Country	Sierra Leone
Capital	Makeni
Population (2004)
• Total	1,718,240
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 1,718,240 (2004 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.

The Northern Province is largely Muslim, and the Temne people make up the largest ethnic group in the region. There is a significant Christian minority population in the Northern Province as well. The region is home to a significant population of several other ethnic groups that are mainly based in north, and predominate in certain parts of the region

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.

• Bombali District, capital Makeni
• Kambia District, capital Kambia
• Koinadugu District, capital Kabala
• Port Loko District, capital Port Loko
• Tonkolili District, capital Magburaka

Ethnic group and religion

The Temne people are the largest and most influential ethnic group in Northern Sierra Leone. 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. Traditional African belief is the second largest religious minority in the region, followed by Christianity.

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.

Borders

Northern Province has the following borders:

• Kindia Region, Guinea: northwest
• Mamou Region, Guinea: north
• Faranah Region, Guinea: northeast
• Nzérékoré Region, Guinea: far east
• Western Area: southeast
• Eastern Province: south
• Southern Province: far southwest

Northern Province has a short shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean.