Formation
April 27, 1961
Sierra Leone
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.
