Geography

Sierra Leone is located in Western Africa. If you were to compare it's size to a state in the United States it would be a little smaller then South Carolina. The Climate of Sierra Leone is tropical. It's hot, humid and has a summer rainy season which is from May to December. The winter dry season is from December to April. Sierra Leone's terrain consists of a coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded country, mountains in the East, and an upland plateau. Natural Resources that exist in Sierra Leone are diamonds, iron ore, gold, and titanium ore. The current issues are a rapid population growth which has been pressuring the environment. There has been over harvesting of timber, too much cattle grazing, and slash and burn agriculture which has resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion.
A fun fact: rainfall along the coast can reach up to 195 inches per year, this makes is one of the wettest places along the coast.

North America borders the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean. Comparing the size of North America, it is about three-tenths the size of Africa. The climate is mostly temperate excluding Hawaii and Florida. The terrain is plain with mountains in some areas. Natural resources include: coal, copper, zinc, timber, and natural gas. The most current issue is that there is a rise in air pollution with is resulting in acid rain. The US is guilty for being the largest emitter of carbon dioxide.
Fun fact: Death Valley is the lowest point in the continent.

Comparing the two, North America has an issue with carbon dioxide pollution. Sierra Leone is struggling with over grazing and soil exhaustion. Both have productions of bauxite and gold.

References: About.com, "Geography", September 10th, 2008.