Destinations: Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone, officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. Sierra Leone derives its name from the Lion Mountains near Freetown. Originally named Serra Leoa (Portuguese for ‘lioness mountains’) by Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra in 1462. Sierra Leone has a tropical climate and with a variety of environments ranging from savannas to rainforests. Sierra Leone is a culturally diverse nation, home to approximately 18 ethnic groups. English is the official language, while Krio is the lingua franca, spoken by 97% of the population. The country is rich with natural resources, notably diamonds, gold, bauxite and aluminium. Sierra Leone maintains membership in several international organizations, including the United Nations, African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Commonwealth of Nations, among others.

Freetown is the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone. It is a major port city on the Atlantic Ocean and is located in the Western Area of the country. Freetown is Sierra Leone’s major urban, economic, financial, cultural, educational and political centre, as it is the seat of the Government of Sierra Leone. The city’s economy revolves largely around its harbor, which occupies a part of the estuary of the Sierra Leone River in one of the world’s largest natural deep water harbors. The city of Freetown was founded on March 11, 1792 by 1,196 African Americans under the guidance of abolitionist Lieutenant John Clarkson on March 11, 1792, and the city became a settlement for free and freed African American, Afro-Caribbean and Liberated African slaves.