Sierra Leone

Formation

April 27, 1961

Capital

Freetown

Population

8.421 million (2021)

Sierra Leone

About

A tropical country on the southwest coast of West Africa. It gained independence from the United Kingdom in April 1961 and became a Commonwealth realm. Its largest ethnic groups are Temne and Mende peoples.

Trivia

The country's name comes from the Lion Mountains near Freetown. Popular dishes include kukhri rice and sauce and fried rice cooked with beans and spicy onion sauce. The nation is rich in mineral deposits, especially diamonds.

Celebrities Born In Sierra Leone