9L8MD Team will be active from Sierra Leone, 29 October - 10 November 2025.
Team - Members of the Mediterraneo DX Club.
Recent DX Spots 9L8MD
9L8MD Log search They will operate on 160 - 6m.
QSL via IK2VUC.
More information later.
Information from 9L8MD Team:
We don't even know how, but... we did!
After the forced postponement of 3C2MD, in just 10 days we managed to make the work of 10 (and more...) months:
👉 find a new entity DXCC to visit
👉 renew the license (always better to have a B-Plan)
👉 confirm the SAME dates of the previous planned expedition
And now... ladies and gentlemen... it's time to announce the next adventure of the Mediterraneo DX Club:
9L8MD – Sierra Leone is coming!
We know our French colleagues of F6KOP have already done a great job giving you lots of slots... but we're sure there's still a few missed on your DXCC table. And guess what? We're ready to bring it to you!
Stay tuned... it'll be another adventure to share together!
Sierra Leone – the little diamond of West Africa
Sierra Leone is a small country located near the Atlantic Ocean. It has an area of about 72,000 km2. This state is located in the west of the Black Continent. It borders Liberia and Guinea. The main territory is a wave-like plain crossed by several rivers. The northern part of the country is a highland with mountain ranges. Thanks to the combination of rivers, plains, and mountains, the nature of Sierra Leone is extremely picturesque.
It has been an independent state since 1961. Today, it is ruled by a president.
Sierra Leone. Author - Àdrian Turner.
Colonization, blood, and wars – the history of Sierra Leone
The country owes its name, “Lion Mountain,” to the Portuguese, who discovered it in 1462. According to legend, a sailor on watch shouted this when he saw an unfamiliar coast in the distance. But the first colonizers of this territory were the English. They arrived here a couple of centuries later, building their first fortress on the coast in 1662. When slavery was abolished, many former slaves appeared in this country. In 1787, they founded a settlement and named it Freetown. Now it is a large city and the capital of Sierra Leone.
In 1808, the entire coastal area officially became a British colony. After that, the British continued their expansion deeper into the territory. In 1896, the state became a protectorate of the British Crown. However, Sierra Leone was constantly shaken by riots. The entire indigenous population, Creoles, and former slaves were opposed to the British.
Already in 1898, an uprising broke out near the town of Porto Loko. The Creoles living there refused to pay taxes. They fought desperately against the British army but were defeated.
In 1961, the country declared independence. But the period of colonization was replaced by a series of civil wars and constant coups. Power in Sierra Leone was alternately seized by different parties. To stop the incessant bloodshed, the next political force to form a government even resorted to the support of the Guinean army, which maintained order for two years.
It was only in 1978 that a new version of the Constitution was adopted in the country, establishing a one-party system.
In the early 1990s, a new extremist organization, the RUF, emerged in Sierra Leone. It was characterized by incredible cruelty towards opponents who supported the current government. The fighting reached such a scale and ferocity that peacekeeping forces were deployed to repel the rebels' attacks. This war continued until 2000. Then the government and the rebels reached a compromise and divided power in the country.
9L8MD. Sierra Leone DX Pedition Logo.
Climate, flora, fauna, and other features of the country
The subequatorial climate that prevails in the country is explained by its location. Sierra Leone is located in the equatorial zone. It is always humid and hot here. Winter brings a relatively dry season. It lasts from November to April. In Freetown and along the coast, the annual temperature ranges from 29 to 24 °C. In the interior of the country, it ranges from 31 to 24 degrees.
The most common types of plants are tall grasses growing in the savannahs, baobabs, and various shrubs. Only about 5% of the country's territory is covered by humid tropical jungle. The fauna is represented by a variety of animals and birds. Leopards, zebras, various species of monkeys, crocodiles, snakes, antelopes, buffaloes, lizards, wild boars, and other species can be found here. Scorpions can be found throughout most of the country, except in cities, and there are also malaria-carrying mosquitoes, marsh dragonflies, and unusually colorful varieties of butterflies. Sharks swim in the coastal waters.
In terms of population, 98% are local tribes belonging to the Niger-Congo ethnic group. There are also white people (mainly British) and Creoles living in the country. The official language is English.
Sierra Leone is divided into three provinces and a separate region consisting of Freetown and the surrounding areas.
The country is agrarian. The main agricultural crops are oil palm and coffee. The mining industry is also highly developed in the country. Bauxite, gold, diamonds, and other minerals are mined. These industrial sectors form the basis of exports.
Sierra Leone. Author - Adesanya Hyde.
Unforgettable sights Sierra Leone
The country has many attractions that are interesting for tourists. These are nature reserves where you can find exotic flora and unusual animals. There are many plants, birds, and butterflies that cannot be seen anywhere else.
About two hundred species of birds live in Kambu Hills. The Mayosso Nature Reserve is home to an endangered species of crocodile. Gola Park, which has national status, protects more than 500 species of butterflies, 300 types of birds, and animals (elephants, monkeys, and even pygmy hippos) from extinction.
The National Museum, which is visited by guests from all over the world, has a large number of unusual exhibits from the ancient cultures of different ethnic groups and periods of the country's history.
Freetown is of particular interest to foreigners. It is one of the oldest cities in West Africa. The capital of the state was founded in 1787 as a settlement for freed slaves. There are many three- and two-story houses here, built in the spirit of 19th-century English architecture.
Foreign visitors can see Fura Bay. This university college is one of the city's most striking landmarks. The President's Palace also attracts a huge number of tourists. It resembles a large ship sailing over the hills.
You can also visit the temples. There are more than 70 of them in the city, and each building is unique in its own way. The cathedral, built in 1828, is especially beautiful. It is dedicated to St. George and built in a lavish Victorian style of red brick. Foreigners are greatly impressed by the botanical garden, which has many exotic and unusual plants. The city also has a monument called the “Royal Gate.” It is dedicated to the liberation from slavery. The monument is decorated with a plaque inscribed with the words that every person who passes through this gate becomes free.
A large number of tourists visit the capital's museum dedicated to the creation of the railway in this country. Here you can see rare photographs and other interesting exhibits.
In addition, there are many beautiful beaches in the vicinity of the city where you can have a wonderful time. Tourists are offered catamaran and various boat rides, fun attractions, and many other entertainments. Those who enjoy evening entertainment can also find a suitable nightclub to spend their time.
The Atlantic Ocean coastline and the islands located near it are very popular with tourists. Many of them visit Bans. This island is famous for its old stone fortress, which several centuries ago was a prison where slaves were held.
There are also many other attractions in Sierra Leone that will delight every foreign visitor.
