Some real killer stuff here, including a not so exciting run through of the presidents. But I’ve explored the UNESCO tentative list as well, which is one way of dipping into a country when zero sites have yet to make the normal go to list.
Questions
Its border formed partly by the Moa river, which country borders Sierra Leone to the south-east?
LIBERIA
Around 90% following Islam, what are the largest ethnic group in Sierra Leone with over 35% of the population identified as such? Speaking a Mel branch of the Niger-Kongo languages, they only just have a majority.
TEMNE
Predominantly found in the Southern and Eastern provinces, with the Temne being found primarily in Freetown as well as the Northern and Western provinces, what is the second largest ethnic group in Sierra Leone at over 30%? Around two-thirds follow Islam.
MENDE
Who has been president of Sierra Leone since 2018, defeating Ernest Boi Koroma in an election that was considered free and fair? When military head of state in 1996 he handed power to Ahmad Tejan Kabbah following the latter’s election win.
JULIUS MAADA BIO
Being succeeded by his brother Albert, who was the first Prime Minister of Sierra Leone, serving from independence in 1961 until his death in 1964?
MILTON MARGAI
When Sierra Leone switched to being a republic in 1971, which alliterative figure became its first president, his total rule from 1967 to 1985 considered to have been authoritarian?
SIAKA STEVENS
Ruling from 1985 to 1992, who became Sierra Leone’s second president as Siaka Stevens’ successor? He was overthrown in a coup shortly after the country’s 11-year civil war had begun.
JOSEPH SAIDU MOMOH
Which Sierra Leone captain carried out the coup against Joseph Saidu Momoh in 1992, later being ousted himself by Julius Maada Bio for failing to commit to a quick transfer to civilian rule?
VALENTINE STRASSER
Who briefly led Sierra Leone from 1997 to 1998 after launching a coup against the elected Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, sending the president into exile in Guinea? Kabbah returned to power less than a year later, his second stint lasting for a much longer nine years.
JOHNNY PAUL KOROMA
Ahmad Tejan Kabbah was restored to power in 1998 by which former monitoring group established by ECOWAS?
ECOMOG
Named for a river that forms a border between Sierra Leone and Liberia, what international association between the two countries was set up in 1973? Guinea joined in 1980 and Cote d’Ivoire in 2008.
MANO RIVER UNION
Included on UNESCO’s tentative list, what is sub-Saharan Africa’s first western-style university, being established by English philanthropists in 1827?
FOURAH BAY (COLLEGE)
The country’s first officially protected historic site, which island associated with slavery that lies in the estuary of the Sierra Leone river has made it on to UNESCO’s tentative list?
BUNCE ISLAND
Along with the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary that is home to rare pygmy hippos, which forest is in line to become Sierra Leone’s first World Heritage Site in 2024? This tropical forest is also home to pygmy hippos as well as the zebra duiker.
GOLA
The tenative listed Western Area Peninsula National Park is home to the Tacugama Sanctuary, a place that was set up in 1995 to care for what animals that are sometimes kept as pets and badly treated? These animals can be found living in the National Park as well as the Gola-Tiwai Complex.
CHIMPANZEES
Its gateway making it on to UNESCO’S tentative list, what is the name of the yards in Sierra Leone where people freed from slavery were temporarily housed after being first brought to the country?
OLD KING’S YARDS
Unsurprisingly Sierra Leone is named for the Lion Mountains, though they also go by the name Lioness Mountains and Peninsula Mountains. At a nicely memorable 888m, what is their highest point?
PICKET HILL
The highest point in Sierra Leone in Mount Bintumani, which can be found in which range of mountains? A two-word alternative name for Mount Bintumani shares its first word with the range.
LOMA MOUNTAINS (The alternative name is Loma Mansa)
The origin of Sierra Leone’s name is credited to which Portuguese explorer, who contrary to what his name might suggest was born in Lagos in the Faro district of Portugal?
PEDRO DA SINTRA
Whittipedia 