{"id":126,"date":"2025-08-27T16:17:24","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T16:17:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/icocnigeria.org\/wam\/?page_id=126"},"modified":"2025-09-23T21:38:54","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T21:38:54","slug":"the-host","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/icocnigeria.org\/wam\/the-host\/","title":{"rendered":"The Host"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Interesting Facts About
\nSierra Leone<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Sierra Leone, formally known as the Republic of Sierra Leone (and unofficially as Salone), is a country located on the west coast of Africa. With a population of 7,866,475 and a total land area of 27,869 square miles, the nation has a very long history which can be traced back to the time of its first inhabitants some 25,000 years ago. Sierra Leone is bordered by the African countries of Guinea and Liberia. Some interesting facts about Sierra Leone include various aspects of its distinctive culture, history, social system, and natural environment.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Sierra Leone Means \"Roaring Mountains\"<\/h3>

Sierra Leone acquired its name thanks to Portuguese explorer Pedro da Cintra who, in 1462, sailed into what is now the Freetown Peninsula. The story goes that during his time in this part of the African continent, da Cintra encountered an intense thunderstorm and came to associate the area\u2019s mountainous terrain with the roar of a lion. Thus the explorer named the region \u201cSierra Lyoa\u201d which translates to \u201cRoaring mountains\u201d or \u201cLion Mountains\u201d in native Portuguese.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Rice In Every Meal<\/h3>

Rice is the staple food of Sierra Leone with most local citizens eating it as part of almost every meal. Popular dishes in the region include kukhri (rice and sauce) and jollof rice (fried rice cooked with beans and spicy onion sauce). Rice makes up such a significant part of the diet in Sierra Leone that it is common for locals to note, \u201cIf I haven\u2019t eaten rice today, then I haven\u2019t eaten!\u201d Other local dishes include plassas (balls of fried dough with plantains and gravy), groundnut stew (made with meat, onions, tomatoes, and peanuts), krinkrin and fish balls, and yebe (a stew cooked with traditional Mende spices, cassava, yam, chicken, onions, stock, and chilies). Popular beverages in Sierra Leone include non- alcoholic ginger beer, locally made Lager called Star beer, and poya which is made from the sap of palm trees.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\u2014Pngtree\u2014vector\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Sierra Leone Is famous For Diamonds<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The nation is rich in mineral deposits, especially diamonds, and has long relied on the mining industry and mining exports to fuel its economy. Sierra Leone is also known around the world for its blood diamonds (also commonly referred to as conflict or war diamonds) which were mined and sold for weapons during the country\u2019s violent civil war from 1991 to 2002.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"noun-giant-african-land-snail-5247774\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Sierra Leone Is Home To A Giant Snail<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A giant snail called the Ghana Snail (or Achatina achatina) lives within 99 to 190 miles of the coastline of Sierra Leone and other West African nations such as the Ivory Coast, Benin, and Nigeria. This native snail species routinely measures about 7 inches long and 3.5 inches wide but can reach a size of almost twelve by six inches. Considered to be an invasive species in America, the Ghana Snail is often confiscated at U.S. airports when travelers are caught attempting to bring the mollusk into the country. Although they are consumed for their protein by an array of native groups living in Western Africa, due to their large size these land snails have also become somewhat popular as pets in the west.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tArtboard 70@5x<\/title><\/path><\/path><\/path><\/path><\/path><\/path><\/path><\/path><\/path>Created by Bernd Lakenbrink<\/text>from the Noun Project<\/text><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA Delight For Chimpanzee Lovers\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFounded in 1995, Sierra Leone is home to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary located in the rain forest of the Western Area National Park which comprises an area of some 100 acres of land. This wildlife refuge serves to protect and rehabilitate confiscated, abused, orphaned, and\/or abandoned chimps to safely release the animals back into the wild. Currently, approximately 75 chimpanzees are living at the sanctuary. Staff is also committed to educating locals and tourists alike about these endangered primates and twice a day, visitors can tour the sanctuary. The park also includes several walking trails, four lodges, and a gift shop. It is against the law in Sierra Leone to hunt, kill, capture, own or sell chimpanzees.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/path>Created by Marz Gallery<\/text>from Noun Project<\/text><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Ancient Cotton Tree Of Freetown Is World-famous\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOne of the most historic and well-known symbols of Freetown (Sierra Leone\u2019s capital city) is the Cotton Tree. It\u2019s believed that in 1792 a group of ex-slaves from America, who had fought with the British in the War of Independence, settled in Freetown and gathered around the giant cotton tree to pray for gaining their freedom. These former slaves were called \u201cNova Scotians\u201d as before settling in West Africa they had traveled to the eastern Canadian province of Nova Scotia after leaving the southern United States. The Cotton Tree is not only the oldest such tree in Freetown but experts also believe that it may be the world's oldest one. Modern-day citizens of Sierra Leone still routinely make offerings and pray to their ancestors under the Cotton Tree.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/circle><\/stop><\/stop><\/linearGradient><\/defs><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA Generally Tolerant Nation\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAlthough the majority of Sierra Leone\u2019s citizens are Muslims (77%) the country also has a large and influential Christian minority (22%). A further 1% of the population practices traditional African religions such as those based on indigenous beliefs. As a secular state, Sierra Leone\u2019s constitution (adopted in 1991) supports freedom of religion and as a result, religious violence is rare in the country. Both Muslim and Christian holidays are observed in Sierra Leone including Christmas, Easter, Eid al-Fitr (also referred to as the \u201cFestival of Breaking the Fast\u201d) which marks the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha (also known as the \u201cFestival of the Sacrifice\u201d).\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Diverse But
\n Disappearing Wildlife<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpopulation\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSierra Leone has a population of about 7.5 million people.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLiteracy\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe overall adult literacy rate for women is 37.7% and 48.1% for men.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlanguage\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSierra Leone is home to 16 ethnic groups. Each group has their own language and traditional attire.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\teducation\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOnly 39.9 percent of males complete secondary school and 33.2% of females. \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tofficial language\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEnglish is the official language; however, Krio is the language that is understood by most of the population. Krio is a Creole language, first spoken by descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who settled in the Freetown area.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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The values we live by<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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To travel from to Freetown, the most common and convenient method is by flying. Several airlines offer direct flights, including Air Peace, Ethiopian Airlines, and Kenya Airways, according to flight comparison websites. The flight duration is typically around 3 hours. Alternatively, you can explore options like flying to Conakry and then taking a ferry, or taking a bus and ferry combination, but these are less direct and more time-consuming.\nHere's a more detailed breakdown:\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFlying:\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDirect Flights:\nSeveral airlines offer direct flights to Freetown (FNA), including Air Peace, Ethiopian Airlines, and Kenya Airways.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFlight Time:\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe average flight time is approximately 3 hours.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAirlines\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAir Peace is a popular choice, offering various flights with in-flight services.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTips for Booking:\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tConsider booking in advance, especially during peak seasons, to get better fares. Check baggage allowances and be aware of potential extra charges. \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOther Options (Less Recommended):\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFly to Conakry, then Ferry:\nYou can fly from Lagos to Conakry, and then take a ferry to Freetown (specifically, from Kaloum to Aberdeen).\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBus and Ferry:\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYou can also take a bus from Lagos to Cotonou, then to Abidjan, then to Conakry, and finally a ferry to Freetown.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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In summary<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Sierra Leone is a country of remarkable history, diverse culture, and stunning natural landscapes. Despite facing challenges, it remains a land of resilience and vibrant traditions, offering a rich experience for travelers and a deep well of stories for those interested in\u00a0its\u00a0heritage.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Interesting Facts About Sierra Leone Sierra Leone, formally known as the Republic of Sierra Leone (and unofficially as Salone), is a country located on the west coast of Africa. With a population of 7,866,475 and a total land area of 27,869 square miles, the nation has a very long history which can be traced back […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-126","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/icocnigeria.org\/wam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/126","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/icocnigeria.org\/wam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/icocnigeria.org\/wam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/icocnigeria.org\/wam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/icocnigeria.org\/wam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=126"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/icocnigeria.org\/wam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/126\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":317,"href":"https:\/\/icocnigeria.org\/wam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/126\/revisions\/317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/icocnigeria.org\/wam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}