Western Area Urban District
| Western Area Urban District | |
|---|---|
 Location of Western Area Urban District in Sierra Leone | |
| Coordinates: 8°29′N 13°14′W / 8.483°N 13.233°WCoordinates: 8°29′N 13°14′W / 8.483°N 13.233°W | |
| Country | Sierra Leone |
| Province | Western Area |
| Capital | Freetown |
| Largest city | Freetown |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Franklyn Bode Gibson |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13 km2 (5 sq mi) |
| Population (2015 census) | |
| • Total | 1,050,301 |
| Time zone | Greenwich Mean Time (UTC-5) |
The 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 1,050,301 and is located in the Western Area of the country. The Western Area Urban District exclusively comprises the entire city of Freetown, the national capital, and its divided into the East End of Freetown, Central Freetown and the West End of Freetown; which are in turns divided into wards and constituencies within the City of Freetown.[1]
The Western Area Urban District is the most diverse district in Sierra Leone, as it is home to a significant population of all of Sierra Leone's ethnic groups. Like in virtually all parts of Sierra Leone, the Krio language is by far the most widely spoken language in Freetown and is spoken by the entire residents of Western Area Urban District, which is exclusively made up of the city of Freetown.
The Western Area Urban District, which is exclusively made up of the city of Freetown, is locally governed by a directly elected city council, known as the Freetown City Council, headed by a mayor. Members of the Freetown city council and the mayor of Freetown, are directly elected every four years in a municipal election. The Freetown City Council is the largest of the six municipal government in Sierra Leone.
The Western Area Urban District is the wealthiest District in Sierra Leone, having the largest economy, financial and cultural center, as well as the seat of the country's central government. During the course of the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa, the Western Area Urban District was selected to trial a vaccine for the disease as it had been heavily affected by the outbreak.[2]
In 2007, the Western Area Urban District gained nine seats when district representation started to be measured by population.[3]
Cities in the Western Area Urban district
- Freetown, the nation's capital
References
- ↑ Taylor, Bankole Kamara (2014). Sierra Leone: The Land, Its People and History. New Africa Press. ISBN 9789987160389.
- ↑ "Sierra Leone volunteers being enrolled for Ebola vaccine study". Outbreak News Today. 14 April 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
- ↑ Diamond, Larry (2010). Democratization in Africa: Progress and Retreat. JHU Press. ISBN 9780801894848.
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