Flag of Sierra Leone
Africa
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Freetown
- Flag adopted
- 1961
- Population
- 9,077,691
- Area
- 71,740 km²
- Languages
- English
- Currency
- Leone (Le) — SLE
- Demonym
- Sierra Leonean
- Government
- presidential republic
- Subregion
- Western Africa
- Driving side
- Right
- Timezones
- UTC
- Independence
- 1961
Religions
- Muslim 77.1%
- Christian 22.9%
About This Flag
The flag of Sierra Leone consists of three equal horizontal bands: green on top, white in the middle, and blue on the bottom. Adopted on April 27, 1961, the day the country achieved independence from the United Kingdom, the flag was designed by the College of Arms in London.
Green represents the country's agriculture and natural resources, particularly its mountainous terrain and forests. White symbolizes unity and justice, and blue stands for the Atlantic Ocean and the natural harbor at Freetown, one of the largest natural harbors in the world.
What the colors & design mean
Green symbolizes agriculture, mountains, and natural resources; white represents unity and justice; blue stands for the Atlantic Ocean and Freetown's renowned natural harbor.
Pattern: Horizontal Stripes
Bordering countries (2)
Fun Facts
- Freetown was founded in 1792 as a settlement for freed slaves from Britain, Nova Scotia, and Jamaica.
- Sierra Leone's name means 'Lion Mountains,' given by Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra in the 1460s.
- The 709-carat Star of Sierra Leone, discovered in 1972, is one of the largest gem-quality diamonds ever found.
- The country is home to the endangered pygmy hippopotamus, one of only two hippo species in the world.
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