What is Sierra Leone famous for?

Sierra Leone Is Infamous For Blood Diamonds

Sierra Leone is also known around the world for its blood diamonds (also commonly referred to as conflict or war diamonds) which were mined and sold for weapons during the country's violent civil war from 1991 to 2002.

What is Sierra Leone popular for?

Sierra Leone also possesses substantial mineral resources, particularly iron ore, and has relied on mining for its economic base in recent years. In addition, the country is among the largest producers of titanium and bauxite, a major producer of gold, and in the top ten diamond-producing nations.

What is the best thing about Sierra Leone?

Sierra Leone has everything adventurous travellers could want – exquisite, empty beaches fringed by palms, rainforest jungles with monkeys swinging through the trees, a fascinating heritage and warm, welcoming people. But its troubled history of civil war and Ebola means that few visitors actually make it here.

Is Sierra Leone the poorest country in the world?

Approximately 60 percent of Sierra Leoneans live below the national poverty line. Remaining among the world's poorest nations, ranking 180 out of 187 countries in the Human Development Index, more than 60 percent of Sierra Leoneans live on less than $1.25 a day.

What is the biggest problem in Sierra Leone?

Until the outbreak of Ebola in 2014, Sierra Leone was seeking to attain middle-income status by 2035, but the country still carries its post-conflict attributes of high youth unemployment, corruption, and weak governance.

8 interesting facts about Sierra Leone that may surprise you

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Is Sierra Leone known for diamonds?

The largest diamond found in Sierra Leone, and the third largest diamond in the world, was a 969.8 carat (194 g) rough diamond. It was found in 1972 and named the An-al of Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone should have been one of the world's richest countries, being blessed with resources, including gold and diamonds.

Why Sierra Leone is so poor?

Factors Contributing to Poverty

Experts believe that four primary factors contribute to Sierra Leone's overwhelming levels of poverty: government corruption, a lack of an established education system, absence of civil rights and poor infrastructure. These factors make poverty difficult to beat.

Why is Sierra Leone called the Lion mountain?

The name Sierra Leone dates back to the year 1462 when the Portuguese discoverer, Pedro Da Cintra discovered the peninsular mountain when he sailed along the west coast of Africa. Some say he named the peninsula, 'Sierra Lyoa' (Lion mountain), after what he thought was the roar of lions on the mountains.

Is Sierra Leone a beautiful country?

Sierra Leone is a really beautiful country, a place where hills and mountains meet mangrove-fringed beaches, where you can sail down river estuaries to deserted islands, where chimpanzees still roam in primal rainforests.

Is Sierra Leone a nice place to live?

The Lonely Planet Guide referred to Sierra Leone as “the safest country in West Africa” and anecdotal reports suggest that the country is relatively safe for expatriates, as most visits to Sierra Leone are incident-free.

Is Blood Diamond a true story?

Though Blood Diamond revolves around fictional characters, the events are based on real experiences of individuals in Sierra Leone during the civil war. The film depicts village attacks by rebel groups, the enslavement of Sierra Leoneans, the use of child soldiers, and illicit markets that are often ignored.

What can I buy in Sierra Leone?

There are a few items that are simply 'must-haves' for those shopping for souvenirs in Sierra Leone. These include grass and reed baskets, hand-carved wooden masks, cutlery and crockery, and hand-woven, traditionally printed material called gara.

Does Sierra Leone have lions?

Current literature states that there aren't any lions in Sierra Leone, but in 2017 a camera trap caught a photo of a male lion in the southwestern region of the Outamba Kilimi National Park.

Do blood diamonds still exist?

It shows that the production of conflict diamonds still exists in Sierra Leone. According to the 2005 Country Reports on Human Right Practices of Africa from the United States, serious human rights issues still exist in Sierra Leone, even though the 11-year civil conflict had officially ended by 2002.

Which country has blood diamond?

Sierra Leone—the setting for much of the film Blood Diamond—has improved as well, though the country's recent Ebola outbreak set back some of that progress.

What is Sierra Leone main export?

Exports The top exports of Sierra Leone are Titanium Ore ($158M), Rough Wood ($109M), Diamonds ($66.4M), Aluminium Ore ($49.5M), and Cocoa Beans ($47.3M), exporting mostly to China ($142M), Belgium ($110M), Netherlands ($47M), Romania ($38.2M), and United States ($30.4M).

What is the most popular sport in Sierra Leone?

Football is the most popular sport in Sierra Leone. The governing body is the Sierra Leone Football Association. The SLFA was formed in 1960 and has been affiliated with FIFA beginning the same year.

What is the staple food in Sierra Leone?

In Sierra Leone, the staple food is rice. "If I haven't had my rice, I haven't eaten today," is a popular saying. Sierra Leoneans eat rice at least twice a day. Only women and girls prepare the food.

Where is the most beautiful country in Africa?

What is the best African country?

Whether you are into history or nature, Kenya has it all in one package and is usually considered the best country in Africa.

What's the best country to visit in Africa?