ECONOMIC

Agriculture is the backbone of the nation's economy. About 80 percent of the Country's manpower involved. Rurally, land is owned communally by the tribe, vested with the Chief on trust. The West European system of land tenure is applied in the western area.

Diamonds and other minerals form a substantial portion of the country's export earnings. Other important products are timber, gold, bauxite, rutile, iron ore, coffee and ginger.

Visitors should be aware it is illegal to buy or export diamond, gold or ivory without the necessary licenses.