Country Profile · No. 44

Sierra Leone

Capital / Admin Capital

FreetownPopulation: ~8.8MIndependence: 1961 (April 27)

First Prime Minister / President

Sir Milton Margai (Led independence as Prime Minister in 1961)Current President: Julius Maada Bio (Serving since April 2018)

Geography & Borders

Guinea, Liberia, Atlantic Ocean. West African coastal nation featuring lush tropical rainforests, mountainous peninsulas, and a sprawling natural harbor.

Demographics & Language

Islam (~78%), Christianity (~21%). Official: English language. National languages include Krio language, Mende language, and Temne language. Major groups: Mende (~35%), Temne (~31%), Limba (~8%), Krio (~2%).

Economy & GDP

Diamond and gold mining, rutile and bauxite extraction, agriculture (cocoa, coffee, rice), commercial fishing.

Global Diaspora

1. United Kingdom (~40k–50k), 2. United States (~30k–40k), 3. Gambia (~15k). U.S. Hubs (States / Cities): Maryland (Silver Spring / Hyattsville), Washington D.C., Texas (Dallas), Georgia (Atlanta).

Major Conflicts

Temne-Limba and historical ethnic resistance (19th century), Sierra Leone Civil War (1991–2002, devastating conflict involving conflict diamonds and regional factions), West African Ebola outbreak impact (2014–2016).

3 Must-See Sites

1. Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary (Protected rainforest island along the Moa River housing diverse primate species including chimpanzees and rare colobus monkeys), 2. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (Forest reserve in the hills above Freetown dedicated to rehabilitating rescued chimpanzees), 3. Bunce Island (Historic ruined slave castle in the Sierra Leone River estuary serving as a poignant memorial to the transatlantic slave trade).

Quick Facts

Capital Freetown was founded in 1787 as a settlement for repatriated and freed African and Afro- Caribbean settlers, giving the nation a profound historical role in the abolition of the slave trade; home to one of the world's finest natural deep-water harbors.