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history of Sierra Leone
References & Edit History Related Topics
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Sierra Leone Map of Sierra Leone showing its national boundaries with Guinea and Liberia, major cities including Freetown, Bo, Kenema, and Makeni, and its Atlantic Ocean coastline. The map includes a small locator inset highlighting Sierra Leone's position on the west coast of Africa. Map of western Africa showing the locations and territorial extents of major kingdoms and peoples from the 17th to 19th centuries. The Hausa Bakwai states are outlined in orange, representing their largest area in the 17th-18th centuries, while the Fulani kingdom is outlined in green, showing its 19th-century peak. Major cities, rivers, and regions such as the Niger and Benue Rivers, the Bauchi Highlands, and the Adamawa Plateau are labeled for context. Weathered sign reading Welcome to Bunce Island stands on grassy ground near trees and an old wooden boat, memorializing enslaved Africans at the historic site in Sierra Leone. Map of Africa highlighting the countries that made up historical British West Africa-Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Nigeria-in orange, with the rest of the continent and surrounding regions shown in gray for context. A small inset map in the lower left shows the location within the African continent. Colonization of Africa: Maps, Timeline, Decolonization, & Independence Map of Africa showing the territorial divisions and colonial possessions by European powers from the late 19th to early 20th century. Countries and regions are color-coded to indicate British, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Belgian, and German control, with independent countries and British-Egyptian condominium also marked. The map highlights the extent and timing of colonization, with most of the continent under European rule except for Ethiopia and Liberia. Antique map showing the northwest region of Africa as published in the 1902 Encyclopaedia Britannica. The map details colonial territories and countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, the Sahara, Senegal, Portuguese Guinea, French Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Togo, and Nigeria, with borders, cities, rivers, and geographic features labeled in fine print. Diamonds-for-weapons trade in Africa Fatmata Kalma, a young girl in a red dress, sits on a bench watching a worker in full protective gear and yellow gloves disinfect the area with a spray canister in Kumala, Sierra Leone.

history of Sierra Leone: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • Christopher Fyfe
  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Noted that treason charges against former president Ernest Bai Koroma were dropped and he returned to Sierra Leone. Sep 24, 2026
New article added. Aug 01, 2024
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