Freetown
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| Freetown, Sierra Leone | |
| Map of Sierra Leone showing the capital Freetown | |
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | Sierra Leone |
| Region | Western Area |
| District | Western Area Urban District |
| Founded | 1787 |
| Government | |
| - Type | City council |
| - Mayor | Winstanley Bankole Johnson (APC) |
| Elevation | 84 ft (26 m) |
| Population (2004 census) | |
| - Total | 1,070,200 (1st) |
| Time zone | Greenwich Mean Time (UTC) |
Freetown, population 1,070,200 (2004 census), is the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone, and a major port on the Atlantic Ocean. Located in the Western Area of the country on the Sierra Leone peninsula, Freetown is the hub of the nation's administrative, financial, educational, communications, cultural and economic center, as well as its main port.
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[edit] History
The area, said to have previously been a slave market, was first settled in 1787 by 400 freed slaves and Black American Loyalists sent from England, under the auspices of British abolitionists. They established the 'Province of Freetown' on land purchased from local Koya Temne subchief King Tom and regent Naimbana, a purchase which was to cede the land to the new settlers "for ever." The established arrangement between Europeans and the Koya Temne did not include provisions for permanent settlement, and some historians question how well the Koya leaders understood the agreement. Disputes soon broke out, and King Tom's successor, King Jimmy burnt the settlement to the ground in 1789[1].
The London based Sierra Leone Company made a second attempt in 1792 and resettled Freetown with 1,100 former slaves and Loyalists from Nova Scotia, many of whom were born in the colonial United States, led by former slave Thomas Peters. Around 500 free Jamaican Maroons joined them in 1800.
It survived being pillaged by the French in 1794, and the indigenous inhabitants revolted in 1800, but the British retook control, beginning the expansionism that led to the creation of Sierra Leone. From 1808 to 1874, the city served as the capital of British West Africa. It also served as the base for the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron which was charged with halting the slave trade. Most of the slaves liberated by the squadron choose to settle in Sierra Leone, and Freetown in particular, rather than return home; thus the population includes descendants of many different peoples from all over the west coast of Africa. The city expanded rapidly as many freed slaves settled, accompanied by African soldiers who had fought for Britain in the Napoleonic Wars. During World War II, Britain maintained a naval base at Freetown. Descendants of the freed slaves, called Krios, play a leading role in the city, even though they are a minority of the population.
The city was the scene of fierce fighting in the late 1990s. It was captured by ECOWAS troops seeking to restore President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in 1998, and later it was unsuccessfully attacked by rebels of the Revolutionary United Front.
[edit] Climate
Like the rest of Sierra Leone, Freetown is of tropical climate with a rainy season - May through October, the balance of the year representing the dry season. The beginning and end of the rainy season is marked by strong thunder storms. This is a Tropical Savanna Climate.
Freetown's high humidity is some what relieved November through February by the famous Harmattan, a gentle wind flowing down from the Sahara Desert affording Freetown its coolest period of the year. Average temperature ranges in Freetown are from 21 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit) to 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit) all year.
[edit] Government
Freetown is governed with a city council form of government, which is headed by a mayor, in whom executive authority is vested. The mayor is responsible for the general management of the city and for seeing that all laws are enforced. The mayor is elected directly by the residents of Freetown.
The current mayor is Winstanley Bankole Johnson. Johnson was appointed mayor in July 2004 and is a member of the rulling All Peoples Congress (APC). Johnson came to power as the APC swept 2004 Western Area municipal elections.
[edit] Demographics
Freetown is the largest and most populous city in Sierra Leone. According to the 2004 Sierra Leone census, Freetown has a population of 1,070,200. That's about 19.8% of Sierra Leone's total population. The city is home to all of the country's ethnic group.
[edit] Economy
Many of the country's largest corporations locate their headquarter's home offices in Freetown as well as the majority of international companies. The city's economy revolves largely around its fine natural harbor, which is the third largest natural harbor in the world. The Freetown harbor is capable of receiving oceangoing vessels and handles Sierra Leone's main exports. Industries include food and beverage processing, fish packing, rice milling, petroleum refining, diamond cutting, and the manufacture of cigarettes, paint, shoes, and beer. Sierra Leonean-Lebanese play a major role in local trade in the city. The city is served by the Lungi International Airport, located in the city of Lungi, across the sea from Freetown.
[edit] Education
Like the rest of Sierra Leone, Freetown has an education system with six years of primary school (Class 1-6), and six years of secondary school (Form 1-6); secondary schools are further divided into Junior secondary school (Form 1-3) and Senior secondary school (Form 4-6). Primary schools usually start from ages 6 to 12, and secondary schools usually start from ages 13 to 18. Primary Education is free and compulsory in government-sponsored public schools.
Freetown is home to one of the country's two main Universities, the Fourah Bay College, the oldest university in West Africa, founded in 1827.
[edit] Some notable secondary schools in Freetown
| School | Founded |
|---|---|
| Prince of Wales Secondary School | 1874 |
| Methodist Boys High School | 1874 |
| Annie Walsh Memorial Girls Secondary School | 1845 |
| Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School | 1889 |
| St. Edwards Secondary School | 1866 |
| Albert Academy | 1904 |
| Congress Boys Secondary School | 1895 |
| Sierra Leone Grammar School | 1845 |
| Kankalay Islamic Secondary School | 1888 |
[edit] Transportation
[edit] Air transportation
Lungi International Airport is the international airport that serves Freetown and the rest of the country. It is located in the city of Lungi, across the river from Freetown . It serves as the primary airport for domestic and international travel to or from Sierra Leone. The airport is operated by Sierra Leone Airports Authority. Freetown also has a heliport on Aberdeen Island, connecting the city with the airport. There is a frequent helicopter, hovercraft and ferry-service to Lungi.
[edit] Transfers to Freetown
Passengers have the choice of hovercraft, ferry or a helicopter to cross the river to Freetown. Ferry is the cheapest option. The Hoovercraft is no longer operating (since Nov 13th 2007).
[edit] Access by sea
Sierra Leone has the third largest natural harbour in the world where shipping from all over the globe berth at Freetown's famous Queen Elizabeth II Quay. Passenger, cargo and private craft also utilize Government Wharf nearer to central Freetown.
Recent important investment has seen the introduction of high tech cargo scanning facilities operated by Intertek/ Port Maritime Security International (PMSI). This facility is a clear indication of the Sierra Leone Government's commitment for significant improvement, security and expansion of port facilities. Through the services provided, Sierra Leone has not only addressed its international obligations in keeping with future changes but also allows the country to trade freely with the important US export market of minerals including rutile and bauxite.
100% inspection of containers arriving and departing Freetown is today the norm, placing Sierra Leone ahead of all other countries throughout West Africa in security, so vastly improving the whole import/export experience for commercial enterprises and shipping lines worldwide.
[edit] Features
One of Freetown’s most recognisable features is its famous cotton tree. The cotton tree has reportedly been in the same position since colonists settled in the area in 1787 when the tree was still a young sapling. It now stands outside the Freetown Museum.
Notable buildings in the city include Freetown Law Courts; The city is the site of the permanent home of Fourah Bay College (built in 1827), the oldest university in West Africa, St John's Maroon Church (built around 1820), St George's Cathedral , St George's Cathedral, completed in 1828), Foulah Town Mosque (built in the 1830s). Also in Freetown are assorted beaches and markets, and the Sierra Leone Museum featuring the Ruiter Stone.
[edit] Sports
Like the rest of Sierra Leone, football is the most popular sport in Freetown. The city has seven clubs in the Sierra Leone National Premier League, including two of Sierra Leone's biggest and most successful football clubs, East End Lions, and Mighty Blackpool. A match between these two teams is the biggest domestic football clash in Sierra Leone.
The Sierra Leone national football team, popularly known as the Leone Stars play all of their home games at Freetown's National Stadium, the largest stadium in Sierra Leone.
[edit] Crime
Since the end of civil war in 2002, Freetown has experienced an increase in robberies, murders, carjacking, home invasion and assault. This effect is most pronounced in the east end of Freetown, which has a higher crime rate than other parts of the city. Over the past year, criminal exploits have become more brash and aggressive. Increasingly operating in numbers and while heavily armed. Like in most West African countries, local criminals target expatriates due to their perceived wealth.
Some of the high profile victims of crime in the city included FannyAnn Eddy, the founder of Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Association, who was murdered by a group of at least three men who broke into her office in Freetown, raped her, stabbed her, and eventually broke her neck. Her murdered occur on September 28, 2004, shortly after she gave a speech to the United Nation in New York, about the threats of violence faced by lesbians and gays in Sierra Leone. she stood up for the rights of lesbians and gays in a country where homosexuality is illegal.
Another high profile victim of crime in the city was Kenneth Moore, a government building inspector, who was despatched by the ministry of lands to demolish illegal structures erected on government property was attacked and murdered in a guest house in central Freetown by drug dealers. His case still remains unsolved.
Pickpocketing of cell phone and purses are the most common crimes in Freetown. Like most West African countries, local criminals target expatriates due to their perceived wealth.
[edit] Nightlife in Freetown
Freetown boosts a number of nightclubs featuring various styles of music and culture including:
- Buggy's Nightclub
- Attitude Disco
- China House
- Jay Bees Nightclub
- Mix club Night Club
- Paddy's Bah
- Old School
- Krio Wendy's
- Earth of Gold
- Palladio Nightclub
- Cafe De La Rosa
- Porshe Night Club
- Cape Night Club
- Bamboo Hut
- Baleestar Club
[edit] Notes of interest
The city hosts since the We Are the Future center, a child care center giving children a chance to live their childhoods and develop a sense of hope. The center is managed under the direction of the mayor’s office, and the international NGO Glocal Forum serves as the fundraiser and program planner and coordinator for the WAF child center in each city. Each WAF city is linked to several peer cities and public and private partners to create a unique international coalition. Launched in 2004, the program is the result of a strategic partnership between the Glocal Forum, the Quincy Jones Listen Up Foundation and Mr. Hani Masri, with the support of the World Bank, UN agencies and major companies.
[edit] 2007 Freetown explosion
The 2007 Freetown explosion was an explosion that occurred on Free Street in downtown Freetown which killed at least 18 people on 20 December 2007.
It was believed that the explosion was caused by the combination of a gas leak and fire inside a Lebanese-owned clothing store just off the main street of Freetown. Killing at least 17 people, the explosion also trapped a significant number of people underneath the rubble. The explosion damaged a fire engine which was on the scene to battle the fire inside. The Connaught hospital was reported to have struggled in caring for the wounded. Both President Ernest Bai Koroma and Vice President Samuel Sam-Sumana visited injured people in the hospital.
[edit] Some notable people born in Freetown
[edit] Football (soccer) star
- Sheriff Suma
- Roda Antar
- Sarway Dollar
- Samuel Barlay
- Sidney Kargbo
- Obi Metzger
- Alhassan Bangura
- Mustapha Sama
- Michael Tommy
- Lamine Conteh
- Muwahid Sesay
- Kewullay Conteh
- Ibrahim Kargbo
- Albert Cole
- Alimamy Sesay
- Christian Caulker
- Albert Jarrett
- Kabba Samura
[edit] Other Sports
- B. J. Tucker, American football player of the San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
- Madieu Williams, American football player of the Cincinnati Begals
- Eunice Barber, Sierra Leonean athlete competing in heptathlon and long jump
- Hawanatu Bangura, Sierra Leonean athlete competing in sprinting
- Horace Dove-Edwin, a retired Sierra Leonean sprinter who specialized in the 100 metres
[edit] Activist/writer/artist/trade
Jamil Sahid Mohamed, was a powerful businessman from Sierra Leone who made millions of dollars in diamond trade
- Farid Raymond-Anthony, Sierra Leonean writer, author and poet
- Adelaide Casely-Hayford, was a strong advocate, nationalism, and educationist
- Patricia Piccinini, Australian artist
[edit] Musicians
- Emerson, Sierra Leone's most famous musician
[edit] Politicians
- Valentine Strasser, Head of State of Sierra Leone from 1992-1996
- Winstanley Bankole Johnson, current mayor of Freetown
- Andrew Juxon-Smith, former Head of State of Sierra Leone
- John 'Johnny' Taylor, Krio trader during colonial era
- Eustace Henry Taylor Cummings, mayor of Freetown from 1948-1954
- Ade Renner Thomas, current Chief Justice of Sierra Leone
- Henry Josiah Lightfoot Boston, Governor-General of Sierra Leone from 1962-1967
- Isaac Wallace-Johnson, a Sierra Leonean journalist and a politician
- Sir Samuel Lewis, first mayor
[edit] military personnel
- Issa Hassan Sesay, served as senior officer in the Sierra Leonean army and commander of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC)
- Brigadier-General Arthur Nelson-Williams, the The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces spokesman
- Brigadier-General Tom Carew was in the Sierra Leonean army and Chief of Defence Staff of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces from April 2000 to November 2003
[edit] Actor/actress
- Jeillo Edwards, Sierra Leonean actress
[edit] Sister Cities
- Image:Flag of the United States.svg Kansas City, Missouri, United States,
- Image:Flag of the United States.svg New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kingston upon Hull, United Kingdom
[edit] References
- ^ Shaw, Rosalind, Memories of the Slave Trade: Ritual and the Historical Imagination in Sierra Leone. (2002) University of Chicago Press page 37
[edit] External links
- Freetown is at coordinates Coordinates:
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