Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is a republic along the West African Atlantic coast that stretches across more than 250 miles of shoreline. Freetown sits on a peninsula in the west and serves as the capital and economic center of the country.

A Portuguese navigator reached the coast in the 15th century and gave the region its name. The territory later became a settlement for freed slaves and gained independence from Britain in 1961.

Krio developed as a creole language and connects people of different ethnic backgrounds in daily life today. The cuisine relies on rice as a staple and often combines it with fish or groundnut sauce.

Most international visitors need a visa and must show proof of yellow fever vaccination. The dry season from November to April often offers the most favorable travel conditions with less rainfall.

A college in Freetown opened in 1827 and is considered the first European-style institution of higher learning in West Africa. The institution trained generations of students from across the region and now forms part of the national university.

Location: Tonkolili District

Inception: April 19, 1971

Capital city: Freetown

Part of: West Africa

Shares border with: Guinea, Liberia

Website: https://statehouse.gov.sl

GPS coordinates: 8.64003,-11.84003

Latest update: December 15, 2025 00:59