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Introduction

Sierra Leone is a place with no limits for what you can do. The city life will never disappoint, as there are nightclubs, restaurants and bars, casinos friendly people, and the beaches, the beaches, the beaches! Sierra Leone is guaranteed to dazzle and impress with the wonderful scenery and limitless activities which include swimming, jet-skiing, fishing, shopping, eating out.... the only limit to what you can do is your imagination!

Sierra Leone was established in 1787 by British abolitionist and philanthropist as a new home for freed and repatriated slaves. It was made an official colony in 1808 as the British declared Freetown the capital and Sierra Leone as a British protectorate. After regaining independence in 1961, Siaka Stevens was made head of state. Deposed out of office, Stevens succeeded in efforts to reclaim his position as head of state following another coup and he declared Sierra Leone a republic, as he was the executive president. Following the peaceful and stable days of the 1970s and 1980s, political instability complete with coups and a civil war tore the very fabric of society and left many people suffering, namely innocent women and orphaned children. The turn of the century revealed a very difficult task for Sierra Leone: rebuilding the country and piecing order back in society. This task could not be done alone, as British troops and UN peacekeeping troops had been ordered to assist in the recuperation of Sierra Leone's desolate state of hopelessness. Having implemented rehabilitation programs and placing all culprits of war under arrest, Sierra Leone is making great strides towards progress and development.

Sierra Leone is the home of over 5 million people. The official language is English, however, Krio, Mende and other African languages are also spoken. Sierra Leoneans for the most part practice Islam, but Christianity and other indigenous beliefs are also practiced. There are over 20 native clans that occupy Sierra Leone, while many others are descendents of freed slaves from America, Jamaica and other Central American islands. There is a strong Lebanese population there as well. Food is important aspect of Sierra Leonean culture. Thick sauce-like soups are prepared from ground leaves and it is prepared with chicken, fish, or other kinds meat and is usually accompanied by rice. Joll of Rice, a popular dish throughout West Africa, is also tasty meal found in Sierra Leone. It is rice made with ground tomato and other spices and usually includes mixed vegetables, chicken, beef, and/or other types of meat. Song and Dance in Sierra Leone is also another very important aspect. Celebrations such as weddings are a big deal as they encompass both traditional food as well as traditional and contemporary song and dance. Sierra Leonean movie making is an up and coming industry. Films today made in Sierra Leone grow in popularity as they capture a wide audience looking to be entertained by the dramatic stories complete with the twists and turns of any modern day soap opera.

Direct flights to Sierra Leone are available from London, but other flights out of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Accra, Ghana and Gambia are all available through Ghana Airways, KLM, Gambia International Airlines, and a smaller local airline company called Weasua Air. Renting a car is a viable option, but the most cost efficient method of getting around Sierra Leone is catching a taxi. Taxis are very cheap but beware, cab drivers can drive very dangerously- do not hesitate to tell them to slow down if they drive uncomfortably.

After a long day of hanging out, swimming in the ocean, running the town and clubbing, it would not be a bad idea to lay down and rest; why not do so at Hotel Kimbima, which holds a five-star rating. Hotel Kimbima provides very spacious guest living complete with lounges, bedrooms, and private balconies-for each set of guests! This resort is also complete with a fitness facility, a restaurant and bar, and of course, a full sized swimming pool, ideal for relaxing after long days out on the town. Also available is the Bintumani Hotel, which is complete with a large casino for gambling fans spacious rooms, friendly staff and a breathtaking view of the city. Invest a vacation in Sierra Leone because life is short and the possibilities here are endless.

 


Introduction
Sources:
Wikitravel - http://wikitravel.org/en/Sierra_Leone,

Sierra Leone is still recovering from a decade-long civil war. As part of its rehabilitation it is trying to revitalize its tourist industry to once again draw visitors to some of the most scenic beaches in West Africa.

Sierra Leone was established in 1787 by British abolitionists and philanthropists as a new home for freed and repatriated slaves. It was made an official colony in 1808 as the British declared Freetown the capital and Sierra Leone as a British protectorate. After gaining independence in 1961, Siaka Stevens was overthrown but then reinstated, presiding over a single-party state. He stepped down in 1985, handing over to Maj Gen Joseph Momoh. He took over as the economy was in a tailspin. In the meantime, civil war broke out in neighboring Liberia. A small band of rebels in the early 1990s crossed the border and mounted a guerrilla insurgency against the Momoh government in the name of the Revolutionary United Front. Momoh was overthrown in a coup in 1992 and various other governments followed. The civil war claimed tens of thousands of lives, mostly civilians, by the time it ended in 2002. Ahmed Tejan Kabbah won elections that helped consolidate the country's peace.

Sierra Leone is home to 6.1 million people. The official language is English, although Krio, Mende and other African languages are also spoken. Sierra Leoneans for the most part practice Islam, but Christianity and other indigenous beliefs are also followed. There are more than 20 ethnic groups in the country as well as a sizeable Lebanese population. Food is important aspect of Sierra Leonean culture. Thick sauce-like soups are prepared from ground leaves and it is prepared with chicken, fish, or other kinds meat and is usually accompanied by rice. Sierra Leone is renown for its fabrics, which are colored indigo, brown or green, or tie-dyed or batik-printed.

The capital, Freetown, still has some remnants of colonial architecture despite the civil war. There are a number of beaches near the city, including Lumley Beach. Fishing and snorkeling can be done off the Banana Islands. Inland, just outside of the town of Kenma is the Kmbui Hills Forest Reserve. About 40 km east of Kenema is the Gola Forest Reserve, which has several unique species of birds and animals. South of Kenema is the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary on a small island in the Moa River. In northern Sierra Leone is Mt Bintumani, where several species of monkeys and chimpanzees reside. It is possible to hike to the top of the mountain.

Direct flights to Sierra Leone are available from London, but other flights out of Abidjan, Accra and Banjul are all available through Ghana Airways, KLM, Gambia International Airlines, and a smaller local airline company called Weasua. Renting a car is a viable option, but the most cost-efficient method of getting around Sierra Leone is by taxi.

Among places to stay in the capital, Freetown, is the five-star Hotel Kimbima. It has spacious guest rooms complete with balconies. The resort also has a fitness facility, a restaurant and bar, and a swimming pool. Also available is the Bintumani Hotel, which has a large casino and a breathtaking view of the city.