Sierra Leone
![Location of Sierra Leone (dark blue)– in Africa (light blue & dark grey)– in the African Union (light blue) – [Legend]](/Images/godic/202502/11/Location_Sierra_Leone_AU_Africa.svg1832.png")
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![Fragments of prehistoric pottery from Kamabai Rock Shelter](/Images/godic/202502/11/Prehistoric_pottery_shards,_Sierra_Leone1832.jpg")
![An 1835 illustration of liberated Africans arriving in Sierra Leone.](/Images/godic/202502/11/Slaves_sierra_leone1832.jpg")
Sierra Leone (/sɪˈɛərə lɪˈoʊni, -lɪˈoʊn/), officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea on the north, Liberia in the south-east, and the Atlantic Ocean in the south-west. Sierra Leone has a tropical climate, with a diverse environment ranging from savannah to rainforests. Sierra Leone has a total area of 71,740 km (27,699 sq mi) and an estimated population of 6 million (2011 United Nations estimate). Freetown is the capital, largest city, and its economic and political centre. Bo is the second largest city. The other major cities in the country with a population above 100,000 are Kenema, Makeni and Koidu Town. Sierra Leone is divided into four geographical regions: the Northern Province, Eastern Province, Southern Province and the Western Area, which are further divided into fourteen districts.