Place details
Place nameSierra Leone
Other namesRepublic of Sierra Leone, République de Sierra Leone, Serra Leoa, Sierra Leona, SLE, SL, ISO694, SL00, Sierra Leonean
Latitude8.5
Longitude-11.5
SourceThesaurus of Geographic Names
Overview
First inhabitants were Bulom on coast; Krim & Gola came ca. 1400; Mende & Temne invaded in 15th cen.; Portuguese arrived in 1462, then English slave traders; was 18th-cen. haven for runaway slaves; English & French dispute over hinterland late 19th cen.; official language is English.