Subdivisions of Sierra Leone explained

The subdivisions of Sierra Leone are as follows:

First level:

• 4 provinces
• 1 area

Second level:

• 16 districts

Third level:

• 186 chiefdoms

Provinces

Sierra Leone is divided into 4 provinces and a Western Area for the capital Freetown.

• Eastern Province
• Northern Province
• North West Province
• Southern Province
• Western Area

Districts

The provinces of Sierra Leone are divided into 16 districts. 14 are rural, with the capital Freetown divided into 2 districts. One traditional leader from each district occupies a seat in Sierra Leone's parliament.

Chiefdoms

Sierra Leone is further divided into 149 chiefdoms.^[1] The chiefdoms are hereditary, tribal units of local governance.^[1] The World Bank sponsored the creation of elected local councils in 2004.^[1]

Chiefs have the power to "raise taxes, control the judicial system, and allocate land, the most important resource in rural areas."^[2]

See also

• Geography of Sierra Leone

Notes and References

1. http://scholar.harvard.edu/files/jrobinson/files/history.pdf Tristan Reed and James A. Robinson, The Chiefdoms of Sierra Leone
2. http://public-prod-acquia.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/documents/pe_10_13_Robinson_0.pdf Daron Acemoglu, Tristan Reed. and James A. Robinson. "Chiefs: Economic Development and Elite Control of Civil Society in Sierra Leone"