Fun Facts About Sierra Leone

1
Where to Go
Explore
Plan Your Trip
Events
Stories
About
Fun Facts about Sierra Leone
2
April 19, 2024 News Updates
Share Story On
If youve been following this page for a while,
youll know Sierra Leone is a country rich in
history, culture, and natural beauty. We have
some of the worlds most beautiful beaches,
incredible biodiversity, and lots of wildlife.
? s O
Sierra Leone never ceases to amaze us here are
5 fun facts about this West African nation!
Things You Need to Know about Sierra Leone 1. Our
diamonds are world famous
More Stories
Best Eco Resorts in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is famous for its diamond mines,
which played a significant role in the
development of the countrys economy. The
discovery of diamonds in the late 1930s sparked a
diamond rush, but their trade also fueled
conflict, particularly during the civil war in
the 1990s, leading to the infamous term blood
diamonds.
Today, efforts are made to ensure that diamonds
are mined in an ethical and sustainable manner.
Our diamonds also inspired a song by famous
American rapper Kanye West Diamonds from Sierra
Leone, released in 2005.
Famous Women of Sierra Leone
2. The chimpanzee is the national animal
Freetown Off-the-Beaten Path
3
Sierra Leone is home to about 5500 chimpanzees,
one of the highest populations in the world for
this reason, and to support all the efforts made
in conservation, the chimpanzee was named Sierra
Leones national animal. Its hard to see
chimpanzees in the wild, so your best option to
see them is heading to Tacugama Chimpanzee
Sanctuary, the largest chimpanzee rehabilitation
center located near Freetown. The sanctuary
rescues and rehabilitates orphaned and injured
chimpanzees, providing them with a safe habitat.
3. Sierra Leone has a diverse ethnic population
Things You Need to Know about Sierra Leone
Best Beaches to Watch Sunrise in Sierra
Leone Sierra Leone is home to over 16 ethnic
groups, each with its own language, culture, and
traditions. The largest ethnic groups include the
Mende (35), Temne (31), and Limba (6). A
small but significant ethnic group is the Krio,
the descendents of freed enslaved Africans who
returned to the Motherland in the late 19th
century. Krio only make up 1.5 of the
population, but the creole language of the same
name, derived from English and several African
languages, is widely spoken in Sierra
Leone. Krio serves as a unifying language
throughout the country and is often used in
everyday communication, business, and media.
4. Sierra Leone has the largest natural harbour
in Africa Freetown Harbour is the largest natural
harbour in Africa and the second-largest in the
world, after Sydney in Australia.
Best Places in Sierra Leone for Beach Camping
Its strategic location has made it a vital hub
for trade and commerce throughout history,
attracting merchants, explorers, and settlers
from around the world. Its also the first sight
for most people visiting Sierra Leone, as Lungi
International Airport is right on the edge of
Freetown Harbour.
Load More
5. There are no UNESCO World Heritage Sites -
yet! At the moment of writing, there are no
UNESCO World Heritage sites in Sierra Leone.
However, the country might get its first one soon
the Gola-Tiwai complex was included in the
tentative list in 2022! The rainforest in the
Gola-Tiwai area is home to an incredible
diversity of plants and animals, including rare
and endangered species such as the pygmy
hippopotamus and the Gola Malimbe bird.
Subscribe For Updates Discover unique places and
one-of-a-kind experiences in Sierra Leone
delivered to your inbox monthly. Tell us a little
bit about yourself, so that we can share the most
relevant Salone Travel information with
you. Subscribe
4
By subscribing to our newsletter you agree to
receive email from us. The aim of our
newsletter service is to keep travellers and
members updated about whats new in Sierra Leone.
About Us
Events
News
Press Kit
Media Gallery
FAQs
8
Lumley Beach Road, Freetown P.O. Box
1435 info_at_ntb.gov.sl
33C
? ?
?
6h 7h 32C 32C ? ?
3h
4h
5h
33C
32C
32C
8
8
8
Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer
Request for Proposal
Media Request
Press Releases