!Sierra Leone Sierra Leone is a country, Region - Western Africa, Capital - Freetown, Population in 2003 - 4,971,000, population density - 69 per sq km, Surface area - 71,740 sq km and Currency - leone. It was formerly a British maritime colony since 1787 until its independence in 1961. It is located on the W. coast of Africa, having a foreshore of 180 m. between Rivières du Sud (N.) and Liberia (S.); includes the peninsula of Sierra Leone proper with its densely-wooded Sugar-Loaf Mountain, and a number of coast islands, and stretches back to a highland eastern frontier ill defined; the climate is hot, humid, and unhealthy; has been called "The White Man's Grave"; is fertile, but not well exploited by the indolent negro population, half of whom are descendants from freed slaves; ground-nuts, kola-nuts, ginger, hides, palm-oil, &c., are the principal exports. FREETOWN is the capital.