Sierra Leone

1462 (May 15, Wednesday): Portuguese explorers discover the Sierra Leone peninsula

1787 (March 9, Thursday): Freetown is founded as a settlement for freed slaves

1808 (January 1, Sunday): Freetown becomes a British colony

1961 (April 27, Thursday): Sierra Leone gains independence from the United Kingdom

1991 (March 23, Saturday): Civil war breaks out, lasting until 2002

2000 (January 6, Thursday): UN peacekeepers are deployed to Sierra Leone to support the government during the civil war

2002 (January 18, Friday): Sierra Leone officially ends its civil war

2004 (May 25, Tuesday): The country suffers from an outbreak of cholera during the rainy season

2007 (July 24, Tuesday): Severe flooding in Freetown due to heavy rains

2014 (May 25, Sunday): Ebola outbreak reported, affecting thousands of people

2017 (August 14, Monday): Mudslide in Freetown caused by heavy rains results in hundreds of deaths and widespread damage

2020 (March 31, Tuesday): COVID-19 pandemic leads to lockdown measures and economic strain

2021 (August 8, Sunday): Severe flooding in several regions, displacing thousands due to torrential rains

2022 (January 15, Saturday): Major landslides in rural regions following continuous rainfall

Continent: Africa
Location: West Africa, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west
Capital: Freetown
Language: English (official), Krio, Mende, Temne
Currency: Sierra Leonean leone (SLL)
Population: ~9 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) / UTC +0

Borders: Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast
Landscape: Coastal plains, forested hills, and mountainous regions
Major Rivers: Rokel River, Moa River
Major Mountains: Loma Mountains (highest peak), Mount Bintumani (1,948 m / 6,394 ft)
Deserts: None
Lakes: Lake Gola
Volcanoes: None
Highest Point: Mount Bintumani (1,948 m / 6,394 ft)
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean (0 m / 0 ft)
Climate: Tropical climate with a wet season (May–November) and dry season (December–April)
Geological Features: Coastal plains, rainforests, mountains, and river systems

Ethnic Groups: Mende, Temne, Limba, Kono, and others
Religion: Predominantly Christian and Muslim, with a small indigenous religion community
Urban Population: ~42% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~5% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Rich cultural heritage with music, dance, and historical significance; known for its role in the transatlantic slave trade
Cuisine: Rice, cassava, fish, plantains, and palm oil; popular dishes include jollof rice and cassava leaves
Arts: Traditional music, drumming, dance, and storytelling; modern film and literature
Sports: Football (soccer), boxing, athletics

Economy Type: Mixed economy, with agriculture, mining, and services sectors
GDP: Approx. $5.3 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Mining (diamonds, gold, rutile), agriculture (rice, cocoa, palm oil), fishing, tourism
Key Exports: Diamonds, rutile, gold, cocoa, fish
Unemployment Rate: ~7.6% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: The western region around Freetown is the most urbanized and industrialized, while rural areas rely on agriculture and mining

Government Type: Presidential republic
Head of State: President Julius Maada Bio (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: President Julius Maada Bio (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral (Parliament of Sierra Leone)
Constitution: In effect since 1991, with amendments

Freetown: Capital city known for its colonial architecture, markets, and the historical Cotton Tree
Bunce Island: Slave trading post and historical site
Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary: Known for its biodiversity and rainforest, a protected area for endangered species
Mount Bintumani: Highest peak in Sierra Leone, popular for trekking and scenic views
River No. 2 Beach: Pristine beach known for its beauty and tranquility