Sierra Leone, Republic in West Africa.
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.
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