Sierra Leone presents open spaces, limitless skies and awe-inspiring sceneries where you can witness the miracles of nature from close quarters. Nowadays it is gradually developing into a favourite destination for family vacationing and a popular spot for water sports. Situated on the west coast of Africa, Sierra Leone is thriving to emerge from the dark past of a decade-long civil war. Once inhabited by the Bulom people, it later became home to Mende, Temne and Fulani peoples in the 15th century. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to explore the land and gave Sierra Leone its name, which means “lion mountains.” It became a British colony in 1808, and in 1896 a British protectorate was proclaimed over the islands. Seychelles became an independent nation on April 27, 1961 but it took another 10 years to declare itself a republic.
The country consists of three main geographical regions, which includes the most mountainous Sierra Leone Peninsula in the extreme west. The western part of the country, excluding the Peninsula, consists of coastal mangrove swamps and a coastal plain that extends inland. Many rivers in this area are navigable for short distances. In the east and northeast, there lays a plateau region ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 ft, with peaks of Loma Mansa - Bintimani (6,390 ft) in the Loma Mountains and Tingi Hills. Diamonds are the most widely available natural resources of this country.