Capital Freetown Government parliamentary democracy Currency leone (SLL) Area 71,740km² water: 120km² land: 71,620km² Population 4,976,871 (2004) Language English (official), Krio (English-based Creole, Lingua Franca), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north) Religion Islam, Christianity, indigenous beliefs Electricity 220V, 50Hz (UK plug) Country code +232 Internet TLD .sl