SIERRA LEONE AP Human Geography PICK-A-PING Directions: For this project, you will be provided with the name of a develoPING country. For the rest of the year, you will become an expert in your PING; spouting off factoids and anecdotes about life in your little part of the world! You will be provided with a list of countries. I will randomly pull names and you will select your PING. No trading! No whining! NO EXCEPTIONS! This sheet will serve as the table of contents for your PING folder and is required to be included in the folder or you will lose 5 points – don’t lose it I won’t give you another you will need to make your own Table of Contents. Due dates: JANUARY 20TH, 2016 NO PROJECTS WILL BE ACCEPTED LATE – LATE PROJECTS WILL RECEIVE A ZERO. Table of Contents Requirements Points for each Points received Data Sheet 10 points Political / Physical map (3 maps): 10 points 1. Country in relation to the world map 2. Physical map of the state and border states (land formations, altitude, etc) 3. Political map: regions, cities, border states Population Profile (Migration/Immigration) 10 points Culture Profile 20 points Ethnicity Profile and Settlement Locations 10 points Political Organization 10 points Development Index 10 points Current Event Articles of relevance to development 50 points Cultural: 2 Political: 2 Social: 1 PING Data Sheet Name of PING Sierra Leone Capital(s)/Population Freetown/941,000 Area 71,740 sq km Arable Land % 23.4 Physical Features Mountains and plateaus in the East, coast, desert, grasslands Population 5,743,725 Density: 205.6 people/sq mi Form of Government Constitutional Democracy Head of Government/ Ernest Bai Koroma Head of State Neighboring Countries Liberia and Guinea Crude Birth Rate 37.03 births/1000 people Crude Death Rate 10.81 deaths/1000 people Growth Rate: 2.33% Infant Mortality Rate 71.68 deaths/1,000 live births Life Expectancy Male: 55.23 / Female: 60.42 Literacy Rate 48.1% Male: 58.7 % Female: 37.7% Main Imports foodstuffs, machinery, equipment, fuels, lubricants, chemicals Main Exports diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish Per Capita GNP/GDP $2,100 Currency: Leone Real Growth Rate %: 13.3 Inflation: 11.1% Unemployment: 11% Labor Force: total 67.4% of population Ag: 70% Ind: 14% Serv: 16% Natural Resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromate Trade Partners: Belgium, U.S, U.K, China, Japan, Turkey, South Africa, India Key Events WWI: During World War I, Sierra Leone was a colony of Great Britain. Sierra Leone provided thousands of men to the British army. Over 1,100 men did not return and were buried in foreign territories or at sea. Depression: Diamonds were first discovered in Sierra Leone in the 1930s, and became a primary export for Sierra Leone. Britain began to place more power in the hands of the Sierra Leoneans, and formed the Legislative Council, that contained of Sierra Leoneans. WWII: During World War II, 17,000 Sierra Leoneans fought in the war, and Freetown was an important military base. However, Britain’s economy and political power was sharply depleted by the war. This caused a movement by independence, and the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) was formed. 1950’s Cold War: The Sierra Leone People’s Party began to negotiate independence with Britain in 1951. In 1957, Sierra Leone held a general election, and the SLPP took the majority of the power. In 1958, The Sierra Leone Progressive Independent Party was formed. All throughout Sierra Leone, people were calling for independence from Great Britain. 1960’s- In 1961, Sierra Leone gained its independence from Great Britain. Sir Milton Margai, a military leader was declared the first Prime Minister. Sir Milton led a democratic state, and created a state based off separation of powers, democracy, anti-corruption and peace. However, in 1964, he died unexpectingly, and his half-brother, Sir Albert Margai became Prime Minister. He immediately dismissed most of the Parliament, and created an authoritarian state. In 1967, riots broke out, and three military coups followed. Culture Profile Everyday Life 1. I am meeting someone for the first time and I want to make a good impression. What would be good discussion topics? To make a good impression, it is polite to ask about them, and not just talk about yourself. Questions should be light and engaging, such as work, family and hobbies. Sierra Leoneans are family-oriented and enjoy discussing their family. They are proud of their children’s achievements, especially in education. However, asking about age is considered rude in Sierra Leone. Additionally, asking about family should be taken with caution, as many Sierra Leoneans lost members of their family during the Sierra Leone Civil War. 2. What do I need to know about verbal and non-verbal communications? It is common for Sierra Leoneans to show respect to elders. It is rude to touch elders, and children are not permitted to look at their elders straight in the eye. Tone and directness varies widely, depending on the age gap between the conversationalists. Unlike Western norms, it is considered rude to make eye contact persistently throughout the conversation. When conversing with peers, politeness is not as mandated as when with an elder or person of a higher social rank. When greeting one another, Sierra Leoneans often shake hands. If it is a person you are familiar with, it is common for them to continue to hold your hand throughout the conversation. Due to the British influence that still lingers today, many British verbal and non-verbal communicators are practiced. 3. Are public displays of affection, anger or other emotions acceptable? Public displays of affection is common, and many Sierra Leoneans shake hands, smile and laugh with others in public. While kissing and hugging is acceptable, it is not a common way to show affection in Sierra Leone. It is common to see public displays of anger in Sierra Leone, and fights, assaults and arguments are frequent in everyday life. These fights tend to draw crowds, and may result in a larger conflict than what started out as a simple disagreement. 4. What should I know about the workplace environment (deadlines, dress, formality, etc.)? There is no strict dress code in the workplace, however it is important to be business casual, and not wear anything too revealing. In business meetings, casual clothing is considered acceptable. Due to the fact Sierra Leone is majorly Muslim, it is common for people to wear traditional Islamic clothing to work. Punctuality is not as enforced, and many people are late to meetings due to traffic. The most highly regarded person in a business meeting may even call it off, due to a more important meeting they must go to. It is even considered acceptable for a highly regarded person to be up to an hour late for a business meeting. 5. Briefly describe the local culture’s attitudes regarding the following: Gender, Class, Religion and Ethnicity. What impact would the above attitudes have on the work place? Gender: Both men and women make decisions. However, women are still not fully equal. Women are expected to gather food, be in clerical positions, and get refreshments for superiors at work. Religion: There is freedom of religion in Sierra Leone, and Sierra Leone boasts a high level of religious tolerance. While Sierra Leone is predominately Muslim, there is a large Christian population as well. Both Christians and Muslims in Sierra Leone strictly abide to their religion, and all Muslim and Christian holidays are observed. Class: There are strictly defined classes in Sierra Leone ranging from chiefs, the rich, elders, lower class, etc. The citizens in the higher classes usually look down upon the lower classes and expect to be addressed by formal titles. Ethnicity: Sierra Leone is a multiethnic country and hosts many ethnic groups such as the Mende, Temne and Creole, who are the predominant ethnicities in the country. Tribal allegiances are very important to Sierra Leoneans. In the workplace, most superiors would prefer to be surrounded with those of the same tribal heritage. 6. When in this country, I want to learn more about the culture(s) and people. What activities can you recommend? In Freetown, one can visit the Museum, attend concerts, see traditional dance performances, watch dramas, go to pubs, watch games, and partake in recreational activities. However, sporting events may be unsafe, and should be avoided until the country stabilizes. For food, one can enjoy rice, cassava, foo foo, potato, yam, beans, fish, deer, cow and goat in Sierra Leone. Rice is considered the staple in a Sierra Leonean’s diet. Additionally, most Sierra Leoneans are friendly and helpful to introduce you to the way of life. 7. Who are this country’s national heroes? Madam Yoko introduced the initiation of girls into the sande society to enter womanhood and learn how to function in society is considered a national hero. Additional examples are Fama Tami and Mansa Kama, who were warriors from the northern region of Sierra Leone who protected northern Sierra Leone. Political heroes are Sir Milton Augustine Strieby Margai, the first Prime Minister. During the Independence movement, Albert Michael Marga Kendeh Bureh, Amadu Wurie, Banji Tejan- Sie, and Ella Koblo Gulama fought to free Sierra Leone from British rule. They led Sierra Leone to Independence in 1961. In art, Ebenezer Calendar, Salia Koroma, John Akar, and Amie Kallon are among the country’s national heroes who sing about events plaguing the country. 8. What is the family life like in this country? Sierra Leoneans often live with their extended families in one home.