Geographical Landscape
A geologically recent submergence of major floodplains, particularly north of Cape St. Ann, has brought tide-water into contact with the rocky margins of the ancient shield, barring the way to up-river navigation. Water-borne trade has found compensation in sheltered deep-water anchorages, notably off Freetown, the principal port and capital, where a line of coastal summits rising to almost 900m above sea-level facilitates an easy landfall.
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Mineral Resources
Intrusive gabbros form the peninsular range; elsewhere, isolated blocks or hill groups consist of rock-bare granites, the metamorphic roots of long-vanished mountain chains, are the source of a numberof mineral deposits: iron,chromite, gold, rutile and bauxite. Reserves of kimberlite in the southern high plateaux are approaching exhaustion. The pipes and dikes of kimberlite may provide the basis for future deep mining.
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Seasons and Nature
Differences in seasonal and regional incidence of humidity and rainfall are important. Prolonged rains (May to October, with heaviest rains from July to September) are bracketed by showery weather with many squally thunderstorms, such spells beginning earlier in the south-east. Consequently, the growing season is longest here (although total rainfall - over 5,000mm locally - is greater along the coast) and the 'natural' vegetation is tropical evergreen forest; the cultivation of cash crops such as cocoa, coffee, kola and oil-palm is sufccessful in this area, and the more productive timber areas, though limited, are concentrated here.
The savannah-woodlands of the north-east have less rain (1,900-2,500mm), a shorter period for plant growth and a dry season made harsh by harmattan winds, with cattle rearing, groundnuts and tobacco as potential commercial resources. Semi-deciduous forest occupies most intervening areas, but long peasant occupation has created a mosaic of short-term cropland, fallow regrowth plots and occasional tracts of secondary forest.
Permanent rice-lands have been created from mangrove swamp in the north-west and much encouragement is being given to the improvement of the many small tracts of inland valley swamp throughout the east. Such innovation contrasts with a widespread bush-fallowing technique, giving low yields of rain-fed staples, normally rice, but cassava (especially on degraded sandy soils) and millet in the north. Extensive farming still provides most of the nation's food.
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National Anthem & Pledge
High we exalt thee, realm of the free;
Great is the love we have for thee;
Firmly united ever we stand,
Singing thy praise, O native land.
We raise up our hearts and our voices on high,
The hills and the valleys re-echo our cry;
Blessing and peace be ever thine own,
Land that we love, our Sierra Leone.
One with a faith that wisdom inspires,
One with a zeal that never tires;
Ever we seek to honour thy name
Ours is the labour, thine the fame.
We pray that no harm on thy children may fall,
That blessing and peace may descend on us all;
So may we serve thee ever alone,
Land that we love our Sierra Leone.
Knowledge and truth our forefathers spread,
Mighty the nations whom they led;
Mighty they made thee, so too may we
Show forth the good that is ever in thee.
We pledge our devotion, our strength and our might,
Thy cause to defend and to stand for thy right;
All that we have be ever thine own,
Land that we love our Sierra Leone.
I pledge my love and loyalty to my country Sierra Leone;
I vow to serve her faithfully at all times;
I promise to defend her honour and good name;
Always work for her unity peace, freedom and prosperity;
And put her interest above all else.
So help me God.
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Plant and Animal Life
The distribution of plants and animals has been influenced by such factors as relief and soil types and, perhaps more importantly, by farming methods. Remnants of the extensive original forest cover remain in the Gola Forest reserve in the southeastern hill country near the Liberian border. Secondary forest is now dominant, and valuable timber species, such as Khaya (African mahogany) and African teak, that were common in the original forests are now rare.
The secondary forest is characterized by other tree species, such as the fire-resistant palm tree, a valuable source of palm oil and kernels. The prevalence of savanna vegetation increases to the north as rainfall decreases. The savannas owe their present extent and character largely to the erosion produced by farming, grazing, and the use of fire. There are some small areas of climax savanna (a closed area of broad-leaved, low-growing trees) and tall tussocky grasses.
Other savannas are derived from forest and are characterized by fire-resistant savanna trees with tall grasses. Tracts of tall-grass savanna also occur. Remnants of mangrove swamps constitute the main coastal vegetation community, especially in the saline tidal areas of river estuaries. Piassava, a kind of raffia palm, is common in the swamps of the south.
Large game animals, such as elephants, leopards, lions, hyenas, and buffalo, are rarely seen. Chimpanzees and various species of monkeys are common in the forest zones, while tiger cats, porcupines, antelope, and bushpigs are more generally distributed. There is a wide variety of insects, including the malaria-carrying mosquito and the tsetse fly. Hippopotamuses, crocodiles, manatees, and alligators occupy the rivers.
The coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers, such as the Sierra Leone and Sherbro, also contain a wide variety of fish, such as tuna, barracuda, and mackerel, as well as lobsters and sharks. Bird life includes parrots, owls, kingfishers, green pigeons, African magpies, vultures, and many other species.
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