Map of Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

Today, the Republic of Sierra Leone sees inter-religious and inter-racial marriages as common and religious violence is rare. Sierra Leone borders on the Atlantic, in the north-west edge of Africa. The country has been inhabited for at least 2500 years; iron was introduced around 1000 BCE. Islam was introduced shortly before Freetown was established.
Freetown, now the capital, was founded in 1792 as a refuge for freed slaves during the slave trade. It contains the worlds largest harbor. In 1883, Freetown became a British Crown Colony, and soon after the rest of the country was a protectorate under Great Britain. Britain peacefully granted Sierra Leone independence in 1960 after negotiations. After a coup that had rescinded the constitution, it was reinstated, only to be banned a year later due to violence spreading from the neighboring country of Liberia.
Between 1992 and 2002, the country faced a devastating civil war that left over 50 thousand dead. Democracy returned in 1998 and in 1999, the UN intervened to quell the fighting. Mineral production makes up most of the country's exports; diamonds alone are estimated to earn 250-300 thousand dollars a year. 60% of the population is Muslim, while 30% is Christian. Despite free healthcare, the maternal death rate averages to 890 deaths per 100,000 live births.