FREETOWN', Africa, a seaport of West Africa, capital of the British colony of Sierra Leone (q.v.) on the south side of the river of Sierra Leone, in 29' N., 13° 10' W. Its principal streets are broad and straight, and have, more especially in the part occupied by Europeans, a very attractive appearance, the houses being generally detached and surrounded by trees. Freetown is a strongly fortified im perial coaling-station. A railway runs from Freetown some distance into the interior. Its climate is very unhealthy, although in recent years sanitary conditions have been improved considerably and the death rate has gradually been reduced. A new residential suburb has been developed on one of the nearby hills (900 feet high) and has been connected with the town proper by a light railway. Freetown was made a municipality in 1893 with a mayor and 12 elected and 3 appointed councillors, being the first city in West Africa to enjoy this privilege. It is a port of call for all West African steamers and of ever-growing com mercial importance. There are the usual official buildings of a small colonial capital ; governor's palace, barracks, courts, schools, churches, in cluding a cathedral, botanic gardens, etc., show the result of many years' labor. There are no
horses, manual labor taking their place. In 1916 the total revenue was $48,452 and the expenditures $57,175. The net debt slightly more than $130,000. The town was founded in 1792. In September 1794 it was practically destroyed by a French squadron, but recovered in a short time. According to the census of 1911 there is a population of 34,090 of which 558 are Europeans, 169 Asiatics and 33,363 Africans of more than 15 different tribes. Con sult 'The Freetown Municipality Consolidation Ordinance, 1908' (London 1908) •, 'Handbook of Sierra Leone> (Sierra Leone 1916) ; Burton, Sir R., 'Wanderings in West Africa, etc.' (Vol. I, chapter V, p. 193, London 1863) ; Crooks, J. J., 'A History of the Colony of Sierra Leone, West Africa) (Dublin 1903) ; D'Espagnat, P., Jours de Guinee) (p. 277, Paris 1899) ; George, C., 'Rise of British West Africa, etc.' (Lon don 1902) ; Sibthorpe, A. B. C., 'History of Sierra Leone' (London 1906) ; Sierra Leone Government, 'Blue Book' (Freetown 1917) ; Trevelyan, Sir G. O., 'Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay' (Vol. I, p. 29, London 1909) ; Villelume, Baron de, 'Au Coeur de l'Afrique' (Paris 1910).