The Republic of Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa. The nation takes its name from the Portuguese Serra da Leoa, which means “Lioness Mountains.” The country became a trading point for slaves, and later, Freetown, a colony for Black Loyalists, became the capital of British West Africa. Sierra Leone became independent from the United Kingdom on 27 April 1961. Agriculture and mining are the nation’s largest economic bases.  Related BRANCH article: Isaac Land, “On the Foundings of Sierra Leone, 1787-1808”