Sierra Leone is a small country on the western coast of Africa. Its capital, Freetown, has one of the most meaningful names in the world. In the late 1700s, formerly enslaved people from Britain and North America settled there. The city was named to honor their freedom. On April 27, 1961, Sierra Leone gained independence from British colonial rule. The country is known for its natural beauty. Thick tropical rainforests cover much of the interior. White sand beaches line the coast. The country also sits on rich deposits of diamonds, gold, and iron ore. These resources have been both a blessing and a challenge. Sierra Leone experienced a devastating civil war from 1991 to 2002, partly fueled by the diamond trade. Today, Sierra Leone is rebuilding. Its people celebrate Independence Day every April 27 with parades, music, and cultural events. The country's geography, with mountains rising behind coastal lowlands, inspired Portuguese explorers to name it Serra Lyoa, meaning Lion Mountains.