18/08/2023
TOP INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SIERRA LEONE THAT MAY BLOW YOUR MIND 🤯
1. Sierra Leone was the center for British Colonial Administration and Business in West Africa.
2. In 1808, Sierra Leone became the first crown colony of Britain in Sub–Saharan Africa.
3. Sierra Leone is the first country in West Africa to have a railway in 1898.
4. Sierra Leone is the first to have electricity and broadcast services in the sub-region in 1927.
5. Sierra Leone is the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to have an airline in 1927.
6. Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone is the first city in West Africa to have an airport
7. The first plane landed in Hastings Airfield in 1927 from England via The Gambia.
8. Sierra Leone is the first West African country to have a tropical hospital in 1925.
9. Sierra Leone is the first country In West Africa to have a primary school in 1794 and a university in 1827.
10. The first hospital for the mentally re****ed in West Africa was established in Freetown in 1920.
11. Sierra Leone is the first country in West Africa to have cars in 1912.
12. Sierra Leone is the first country in West Africa to have an English Legal system with black judges and jurors.
13. In 1843 the whole of Ghana, Nigeria, and The Gambia was placed under the administration of Freetown.
14. In 1792 Sierra Leone became the first country in the world where women cast votes in an election before women began to vote in Britain in 1918.
15. In 1893 Freetown Municipality became the first city in West Africa to have a Mayor.
16. Freetown is the first city in West Africa to have a Banking system called ‘Bank of British West Africa’.
17. Sierra Leone is also the first country in West Africa to have a post office.
18. Archaeological evidence suggests Sierra Leone has been inhabited for thousands of years
19. Sierra Leone’s capital city, Freetown, was founded as a home for repatriated and rescued former slaves in 1787.
20. Sierra Leone remained a British colony until 1961 when it gained independence from England.
21. The colors of the national flag of Sierra Leone are Green, White, and Blue. On April 27, 1961, the day Sierra Leone became independent from the British, the Green, White, and Blue were officially hoisted. The green stands for agriculture, mountains, and natural resources. The blue stands for the symbol of hope that the natural harbor in Freetown will make a contribution to peace in the world. The white stands for unity and justice.
22. The 1987 Bounty chocolate bar “Taste of Paradise” commercial was shot in Sierra Leone.
23. Sierra Leone is home to the first institution of higher learning in modern sub-Saharan Africa, Fourah Bay College, after the collapse of the university at Timbuktu. Fourah Bay College was opened in 1827 and at the time was the only alternative to Europe and America for British colony West Africans who wanted a university degree.
24. The national anthem of Sierra Leone was written by Clifford Nelson Fyle and composed by John Akar. The anthem was later adopted as the country’s national anthem in 1961 when the country became independent replacing “God Save The Queen”.
25. The fourth-largest gem-quality diamond and the largest alluvial diamond ever discovered, “Star of Sierra Leone” was found in Sierra Leone. Star of Sierra Leone, a 968.9-carat (193.78 g) was discovered on February 14, 1972, in the Diminco alluvial mines in Koidu, a diamond mining city in Kono district.
NOTE: Every effort has been made to verify these facts about Sierra Leone. However, if you find an error or have any questions, please let us know.
