Sierra Leone: Realm of the Free Quiz

Answer: Slightly north of the Equator

A close inspection of the map provided will show that Sierra Leone lies between about 7 and 10 degrees north of the Equator. The Tropic of Cancer is at about 23 degrees north of the Equator, and the Tropic of Capricorn the same distance south of the Equator.

Sierra Leone is one of the few countries for which you will find there is no northernmost point - it's northern border is defined by the 10 degree latitude, which forms part of the boundary between Northern Province and Guinea, so there is no single northernmost point. Its easternmost point is where Eastern Province, Guinea and Liberia all meet; the southernmost point is a peninsula at the mouth of the Mano River (which forms the border between Southern Province and Liberia); the westernmost point is also the northern end of its coastline, at the boundary with Guinea.

Answer: Two - rainy season and dry season

While some tropical locations do not experience significant seasonal variance, most have two or three identifiable seasons. These are based on changes in rainfall rather than on changes in temperature, although there are slight changes in average daily temperature.

In Sierra Leone, the rainy season, also called the monsoon season, runs from May to November. The dry season, between November and May, is characterised by a cool wind called the harmattan, which blows from the Sahara in a southwesterly direction, carrying fine dust that can create spectacular sunsets along with reduced visibility and hazardous dust storms.

Answer: Eastern mountains

Mount Bintumani, also called Loma Mansa, is located in the northeastern corner of the country. The part of the Loma Mountains in which it is located has been declared a non-hunting reserve since 1952. The area contains a number of unusual and endangered species, some of which are also found in other protected regions in Sierra Leone.

Answer: Guinea forest-savanna mosaic

This ecoregion runs along an east-west axis between Senegal and Nigeria, passing through most of West Africa. The West Sudanian Savanna is to the north of the Guinea forest-savanna mosaic, and the Sahelian Acacia Savanna is north of that, leading to the Sahara Desert.

This region is the part of Sierra Leone where the largest mammals can be seen, including African leopards, forest elephants, monkeys and several types of antelope. The image in the question shows the road from the Kenema to the Kailahun District, in the southern part of the zone.

Answer: Big Island

The Mende language is the 'lingua franca' of the southern part of Sierra Leone, used by members of a number of tribes in addition to the Mende. Tiwai Island was once owned by the Barri, but near the end of the 19th century half of it was given to the Koya people living on the opposite side of the river.

It was designated a game reserve in 1987. Although the research facilities were destroyed during the civil war that ravaged the area between 1991 and 2002, they have since been rebuilt, along with tourist accommodation. Along with the pygmy hippopotamus (an endangered nocturnal species found in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ivory Coast), visitors can see 11 species of primates (12 if you include the humans) and over 100 species of birds.

Answer: Logging

Deforestation (both for logging and for agricultural clearance) is a major environmental problem in much of West Africa, and the resulting loss of habitat threatens many species. In recent years diamond mining has also become a significant environmental issue.

The project seeks to allow the communities who depend on these activities to continue to exploit the resources, but in such a way that the environment is protected. Among the animals whose survival is under pressure are over 300 species of birds; over 600 species of butterfly, including the Giant African swallowtail, which can have a wingspan of up to 25 cm (10 in); and 50 species of mammals, including chimpanzees and forest elephants.

Answer: Mamunta Mayosso Wildlife Sanctuary

Although the Mamunta Mayosso Wildlife Sanctuary is only 20 sq km in size, this wetland area in the middle of the surrounding savannas is haven to over 250 species of bird, as well as the endangered dwarf crocodile. Apparently, it also once featured forest elephants, but they have been hunted to extinction in the area. The dwarf crocodile is also known as the bony crocodile, due to the large and heavy scales it has developed as a defense against larger predators.

Kruger National Park is in South Africa, Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, and Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana.

Answer: Sherbro Island

Sherbro Island, named after the predominant ethnic group of the island, has extensive beaches which the government plans to exploit for tourism. Even without any development for beach activities, they provide an opportunity to see the breeding grounds of green and leatherback sea turtles. Whales can be seen offshore, and the African manatee is common, especially around Bonthe.

In the early part of the 19th century, Sherbro Island was investigated as a possible site for returning freed North American slaves to their native continent. However, conditions proved unfavorable, and the settlement was made further south, in Liberia.

Sao Tome is the largest island in the country of Sao Tome and Principe, Sal is part of Cape Verde, and Mwali is the smallest of the three main islands of Comoros.

Answer: Slave trade

British colonies in North America that were trying to grow rice were interested in obtaining experienced slave labor to assist them, and Bunce Island was conveniently located in the 'Rice Coast'. It was from this region that the majority of slaves shipped to what is now the United States originated.

The historical significance of the site for many Black Americans has led to the US National Park Service working with the Sierra Leone government to preserve the castle on Bunce Island.

Answer: Diamonds

While all of these are significant exports of Sierra Leone, it is the diamonds which have long been virtually uncontrolled. The illegal export of diamonds to finance the activities of the civil war that raged from 1991 to 2002 drew the world's attention to the issue of blood diamonds, but Sierra Leone is far from the only country where the problem has arisen. Since the end of the civil war, monitoring of the diamond trade has improved, and smuggling is believed to have decreased significantly. Most of the diamond mining is centred in the Kono district, in the eastern part of the country.