Sierra Leone

About Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone faces the Atlantic on West Africa's coast, its name coined by Portuguese sailors in the fifteenth century. The capital, Freetown, was founded in 1792 as a settlement for freed slaves and overlooks one of the world's great natural harbours. Beyond the coast lie rainforested hills, diamond-bearing rivers, and a culture famed for its resilience and rich Krio heritage.

• ·Sierra Leone's name comes from 'Serra Lyoa', or Lion Mountains, coined by Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra in the 1460s.
• ·The Star of Sierra Leone, unearthed in 1972 at nearly 969 carats, is among the largest rough diamonds ever found.
• ·Freetown's Fourah Bay College, founded in 1827, is one of the oldest Western-style universities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Mastery

1. Capital
2. Flag
3. Shape
4. Drop
5. Borders
6. Population
7. Landmark

Neighbours

• Guinea
• Liberia