April 27: Sierra Leone Independence Day

Sierra Leone Independence from the UK on this date in 1961. 10 things you didn't know about Sierra Leone:

1. Sierra Leone was one of the first countries in West Africa to have contact with Europeans: in 1462, Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra mapped the hills surrounding what is now Freetown Harbour, and named them Serra da Leoa or "Serra Leoa" (Portuguese for Lioness Mountains). A series of Spanish translations and spelling mistakes evolved into the name for the country today.
2. The currency is the leone.
3. Freetown is the capital and largest city. Freetown was founded in 1792 as a home for former African American slaves.
4. Sierra Leone’s natural resources include diamonds, titanium, bauxite, Iron, and Gold. Sierra Leone is among the Top 10 diamond producing nations in the world, and in 1972, the third-largest gem-quality diamond in the world, "Star of Sierra Leone", was discovered here. Despite this, Sierra Leone is among one of the poorest countries in the world.
5. The Sierra Leone Police is one of the oldest police forces in West Africa. It was established by the British in 1894.
6. The largest natural harbour in Africa is in Sierra Leone, the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown.
7. The highest point is Mount Bintumani (also known as Loma Mansa), which is 1,948 meters (6,391 ft) in height.
8. Polygamy is common, although illegal. A 2008 survey found that 37% of married women were in a polygamous marriage.
9. A popular drink in Sierra Leone is Poyo, a kind of wine made from the sap of a palm tree.
10. Footballer Ryan Giggs, athlete Denise Lewis, Saturdays singer Rochelle Wiseman and Holby City actress Amanda Mealing are of Sierra Leonean descent. Eunice Barber, one of the top female athletes in the world, was born in Sierra Leone.