Sierra Leone — Capital, Flag and Country Facts

Explore Sierra Leone: capital Freetown, population, flag, geography, languages, history and culture.

Sierra Leone is in Africa. Its capital is Freetown.

Climate

Tropical; hot and humid with a rainy season from May to December

Coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in the east

Sierra Leone's capital Freetown was founded as a home for freed slaves.

The Star of Sierra Leone, one of the largest diamonds ever found, weighed 968 carats.

Sierra Leone's Cotton Tree in Freetown is a massive kapok tree that has stood for over 500 years.

1462: Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra names Sierra Leone

1787: British establish Province of Freedom for freed slaves

1808: Becomes a British Crown colony

1961: Independence from Britain

1991: Civil war begins, lasting until 2002

2014: Ebola epidemic devastates the country