Western Area, Sierra Leone
Encyclopedia
The Western Area or Freetown Peninsula (formerly the Colony of Sierra Leone) is one of four principal divisions of Sierra Leone
. It comprises the oldest city and national capital Freetown
and its surrounding suburbs. It covers an area of 557 km² and has a population of 947,122 (2004 census). Unlike the other three regions of Sierra Leone, the Western Area population is mainly in urban areas. The Western Area is the wealthiest region in Sierra Leone, having the largest economy, financial and cultural center, as well as the seat of the country's national government. The western area is not a province but a territory
It is divided into two districts
Freetown serves as the administrative headquarters of both the Western Area and the Urban District, and served as the capital of the Rural District until 2009 when it was formally moved to the city of Waterloo.
, and to the southeast it borders the Southern Province
. However, most of the boundaries of the Western Area is the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean
. The Western Area is the only region of Sierra Leone without a foreign border.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
. It comprises the oldest city and national capital Freetown
Freetown
Freetown is the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone, a country in West Africa. It is a major port city on the Atlantic Ocean located in the Western Area of the country, and had a city proper population of 772,873 at the 2004 census. The city is the economic, financial, and cultural center of...
and its surrounding suburbs. It covers an area of 557 km² and has a population of 947,122 (2004 census). Unlike the other three regions of Sierra Leone, the Western Area population is mainly in urban areas. The Western Area is the wealthiest region in Sierra Leone, having the largest economy, financial and cultural center, as well as the seat of the country's national government. The western area is not a province but a territory
It is divided into two districts
- Western Area RuralWestern Area Rural DistrictThe Western Area Rural District is one of the 14 Districts of Sierra Leone. It is located in the Western Area of the country and has an estimated population of 174,249...
- Western Area UrbanWestern Area Urban DistrictThe Western Area Urban District is one of the 14 Districts of Sierra Leone. It is by far the most populous district in the country with a population of 1,173,022 and is located in the Western Area. The Western Area Urban District comprises Freetown, the nation's capital and its urban suburbs...
Freetown serves as the administrative headquarters of both the Western Area and the Urban District, and served as the capital of the Rural District until 2009 when it was formally moved to the city of Waterloo.
Borders
To the northeast, the Western Area borders the Northern ProvinceNorthern Province, Sierra Leone
The Northern Province is one of the four provincial divisions of Sierra Leone. It comprises five Districts and covers an area of 35,936 km² and with a population of 1,718,240 . Its administrative and economic center is Makeni...
, and to the southeast it borders the Southern Province
Southern Province, Sierra Leone
The Southern Province is one of three provinces of Sierra Leone. It covers an area of 19,694 km² and has a population of 1,377,067 . It consists of four districts . Its capital and administrative center is Bo, which is also the second largest and second most populated city in Sierra Leone...
. However, most of the boundaries of the Western Area is the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
. The Western Area is the only region of Sierra Leone without a foreign border.
Cities and towns in the Western Area
- FreetownFreetownFreetown is the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone, a country in West Africa. It is a major port city on the Atlantic Ocean located in the Western Area of the country, and had a city proper population of 772,873 at the 2004 census. The city is the economic, financial, and cultural center of...
, the nation's capital and largest city - WaterlooWaterloo, Sierra LeoneWaterloo is the second largest city in the Western Area of Sierra Leone and a suburb of Freetown. The population of Waterloo was estimated at 19,750 in 2006. Waterloo lies just 18 miles east of Freetown -Socio-historical perspectives:...
, second largest city in the Western Area and lies about 18 miles outside the east end of Freetown - GoderichGoderich, Sierra LeoneGoderich is a town on the outskirts of Sierra Leone's capital Freetown. The town is located in the Western Area Rural District, about 13 miles from Freetown...
, a town just about 12 miles outside the West end of Freetown - LeicesterLeicester, Sierra LeoneLeicester is a town in the Western Area Urban District of Sierra Leone and about 15 miles outside the West End o of Freetown, the nation's capital. The town has an estimated population of 15,678. It is the birthplace of Sierra Leonean musician, Dr. Oloh. The population of the town is predominated...
, a town in the extreme west of Sierra Leone lying about 23 miles outside the west end of Freetown - HastingsHastings, Sierra LeoneHastings is a town located in the Western Area of Sierra Leone and a suburb of Freetown, the nation's capital. It population was estimated at 15,054 . Hastings lies just 15 miles to central Freetown...
, a town just about 10 miles outside the west end of Freetown - KoyaKoya, Sierra LeoneKoya is a village in the Rural District in Western Area of Sierra Leone and lies about 27 miles from Freetown....
, a small town in the extreme west of Sierra Leone - BenguemaBenguemaBenguema is a town in the Rural District in the Western Area of Sierra Leone. Benguema is located 25 miles from Freetown.Benguema is home to the Benguema Military Training Academy, the largest military recruit training center in Sierra Leone. The town is also home to one of Sierra Leone's largest...
, a remote town in the extreme west of Sierra Leone
Islands included in the Western Area
- Bunce IslandBunce IslandBunce Island is the site of an 18th century British slave castle in the Republic of Sierra Leone in West Africa....
, an islandIslandAn island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
about 20 miles outside Freetown - Banana IslandsBanana IslandsThe Banana Islands lie south west of the Freetown Peninsula in Sierra Leone. The two main islands, Dublin Island and Ricketts Island, are linked by a causeway. Dublin Island is known for its beaches while Ricketts Island is best known for its forests...
, islands on the Freetown Peninsula in the extreme west Sierra Leone, including Dublin Island and Ricketts Island.