Sierra Leone River

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Sierra Leone River

Sierra Leone River Estuary
Mouth

Atlantic Ocean

8°30′14″N 13°11′10″W / 8.504°N 13.186°W / 8.504; -13.186Coordinates: 8°30′14″N 13°11′10″W / 8.504°N 13.186°W / 8.504; -13.186
Length 25 mi (40 km)

The Sierra Leone River is a river estuary on the Atlantic Ocean in Western Sierra Leone. It is formed by the Bankasoka River and Rokel River and is between 4 and 10 miles wide (6–16 km) and 25 miles (40 km) long. It holds the major ports of Queen Elizabeth II Quay and Pepel. The estuary is also important for shipping. It is the largest natural harbour in the African continent. Several islands, including Tasso Island (the largest), Tombo Island, and the historically important Bunce Island, are located in the estuary.[1]

Lungi International Airport

Main article: Lungi International Airport

The river separates Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital city, which is on the south side of the harbor, from the country's principal airport, Lungi International Airport, which is on the north side of the harbor in an area called the "Bullom Shore." The primary means of transportation from the airport to Freetown are the ferry, hovercraft, or helicopter.

2007 Paramount Airlines helicopter crash

In June 2007, after an African Cup of Nations qualifying match between Togo and Sierra Leone in Freetown, a helicopter owned and operated by Paramount Airlines crashed and burst into flames on the runway, killing over 20 passengers, including the Togolese minister for sport, Richard Attipoe.[2]

Ecology

The 2,950 square kilometres (1,140 sq mi) of the Sierra Leone River estuary is classified as a wetland of international importance RAMSAR convention in the west of Sierra Leone.[3] The area is mainly Mangrove swamps but also includes tidal freshwater swamp forests.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Sierra Leone River" britannica.com
  2. ↑ Crash in Sierra Leone kills at least 20 - Macon.com - Published June 03, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
  3. ↑ World Database on Protected Areas: Site Information, UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (2004), retrieved on 10 November 2007
  4. ↑ RAMSAR site information service, RAMSAR, retrieved on 10 November 2007

See also

  • Protected areas of Sierra Leone
  • Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance



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