Liberia

Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to its northwest, Guinea to its north, Ivory Coast to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean to its south and southwest. It has a population of around 5.5 million people and covers 43,000 square miles (111,369 km²). English is the official language, but over 20 indigenous languages are also spoken. The capital and largest city is Monrovia.

The country began in the early 19th century as a project of the American Colonization Society. This group helped freed and free-born African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans relocate from the United States. These settlers formed an Americo-Liberian community. Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847 and became the first African republic to gain independence.

During the early 20th century, large investments in rubber production by the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company changed Liberia's economy. In World War II, Liberia supported the U.S. war effort, which helped its development. Under President William Tubman, Liberia's international standing grew. The country became a founding member of the League of Nations, United Nations, and the Organisation of African Unity.

The late 20th century was difficult. Political tensions led to a military coup and two civil wars. These brought suffering and economic decline. Since a peace agreement in 2003, Liberia has worked toward stability and recovery. Today, mining is important to the economy.

History

Main article: History of Liberia

Indigenous people

People lived in West Africa long ago. We know this because we have found old tools and things they made. These tools show how people lived and worked many years ago. Over time, the tools changed, showing how people adapted to where they lived.

Mande expansion

The area called the Pepper Coast has been home to people for many years. Over time, new groups came to the area. They brought their skills and traditions. This mixing of different groups helped shape the history of the area.

Early colonization

From 1461 to the late 1600s, traders from Portugal, the Netherlands, and Britain came to the region. Later, some people in the United States wanted to move African Americans to Africa. In 1816, a group was formed to support this idea. In 1822, they started sending people to create a colony. These new people brought their own culture, which sometimes did not agree with the local communities.

Political formation

In 1847, the new settlers declared independence and created the Republic of Liberia. The new country was based on ideas from the United States. Over time, one group became very powerful and led the country in its early years.

Early 20th century

World Wars and interwar period

In the early 1900s, Liberia's economy had problems as trade changed. During World War I, Liberia joined the Allies. The United States helped improve roads and buildings, which helped the country during World War II. In the 1940s, new rules encouraged foreign investment, which brought both good and bad things.

Late 20th-century political instability

In 1980, a military coup changed the government. The years that followed had conflict and instability, including civil wars. International help brought peace, and new leaders worked to rebuild the country.

21st century

In 2003, peace was reached after years of conflict. Elections in 2005 brought a new leader, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who worked on recovery and progress. In 2018, George Weah became president, and in 2024, Joseph Boakai took office, continuing efforts to improve the nation.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Liberia

Liberia is a country in West Africa that touches the North Atlantic Ocean. It lies between latitudes 4° and 9°N, and longitudes 7° and 12°W. The land has flat coastal areas with mangroves and swamps, rising to higher land in the northeast.

The country has tropical rainforests covering hilly areas, with tall grass and semi-deciduous forests in the north. Liberia's rivers flow toward the Atlantic Ocean, with the Cavalla being the longest at 320 miles. The highest point in Liberia is Mount Wuteve, standing at 4,724 feet above sea level.

Climate

See also: Climate change in Liberia

Liberia has an equatorial climate in the south, with hot temperatures and heavy rains from May to October. Dry, dust-laden winds called harmattan blow from November to March. Climate change brings challenges, including extreme weather and rising sea levels, which can affect farming, fishing, and forests. Human activities like rubber and palm oil production have also impacted the environment.

Biodiversity and conservation

Main article: Wildlife of Liberia

Further information: Environmental issues in Liberia

Liberia's coastline has mangroves, while inland areas include drier grasslands and forests. The country is home to many species, though some are threatened by loss of habitat. Conservation efforts are underway to protect areas like Sapo National Park.

Administrative divisions

Main article: Administrative divisions of Liberia

Liberia is divided into fifteen counties, which are further split into ninety districts. The counties are managed by superintendents chosen by the president. The country does not have a uniform system for local governments, which were created through individual laws.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Liberia

The government of Liberia is modeled on the government of the United States. It is a unitary constitutional republic and representative democracy. The government has three parts: the executive, led by the president; the legislative, which is the bicameral Legislature of Liberia; and the judicial, led by the Supreme Court.

The president is both the head of government and head of state. The president signs or vetoes laws, grants pardons, and appoints important officials. The Legislature includes a Senate and a House of Representatives. The Supreme Court is Liberia's highest court.

Military

Main article: Armed Forces of Liberia

The Armed Forces of Liberia have about 2,010 active personnel. Most are in the 23rd Infantry Brigade, with a small National Coast Guard. The military was rebuilt after civil wars with help from the United States. Liberia has sent peacekeepers to missions in other countries.

Foreign relations

Further information: Foreign relations of Liberia

After civil wars, Liberia has improved relations with its neighbors and Western countries. China plays a key role in the country's reconstruction.

Corruption

Further information: Corruption in Liberia

Corruption is a problem in Liberia's government. Some people have to pay bribes when dealing with officials.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Liberia

The Central Bank of Liberia looks after the Liberian dollar, which is the main currency of the country. The United States dollar can also be used. Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world, with only 15% of people having formal jobs. Its economy often needs help from other countries, investments from foreign businesses, and exports such as iron ore, rubber, and timber.

After facing hard times because of civil wars and economic problems, Liberia's economy began to grow again around 2007. However, challenges remain, including limited markets, poor infrastructure, and high transportation costs. The country has also struggled with rising prices for food and energy. Despite these issues, Liberia has attracted foreign investment, especially in mining and agriculture. In September 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a financial arrangement of about $210 million to help Liberia with its economic recovery.

Trends

After a peak in growth in 1979, the Liberian economy began to decline because of economic problems after the 1980 coup. This decline got worse with the start of civil war in 1989. Upon the end of the war in 2003, GDP growth began to grow again, reaching 9.4% in 2007. In 2009, during the Great Recession GDP growth slowed, though growth returned later.

Current challenges to growth include a small domestic market, lack of infrastructure, high transportation costs, and the high dollarization of the economy. Liberia used the United States dollar as its currency from 1943 until 1982 and still uses the U.S. dollar alongside the Liberian dollar.

Following a decrease in inflation beginning in 2003, inflation rose in 2008 because of worldwide food and energy crises. Liberia's external debt was very high, but fell with help from other countries.

While official commodity exports fell during the 1990s, Liberia's economy still faced challenges.

In 2003, UN sanctions were placed on Liberian timber exports. These sanctions were lifted in 2006. Because of foreign aid and investment after the end of the war, Liberia has a large account deficit. Liberia became a member of the World Trade Organization in 2016.

Liberia has a high ratio of foreign direct investment to GDP. Following the president's inauguration in 2006, Liberia signed agreements in the iron ore and palm oil industries with many multinational corporations. Since 1926 Firestone has operated the world's largest rubber plantation in Harbel, Margibi County.

In September 2024 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that its executive board approved a financial arrangement of approximately $210 million for Liberia. This arrangement is aimed at supporting Liberia's economic recovery.

Shipping flag of convenience

Because of its status as a flag of convenience, Liberia has a large maritime registry. It has 3,500 vessels registered under its flag.

Major industries

Agriculture

Farming is common in many areas of Liberia. People mainly grow rice, cassava, and vegetables. Traditional farming helps protect the environment. However, palm oil and rubber plantations can take away land from local families.

Palm oil production is a big part of Liberian agriculture and is mainly controlled by a Malaysian company, Sime Darby. Rubber production in Liberia is mostly done through plantations and industrial farming.

Mining

Between 1960 and 1980, iron ore mining was very important to the Liberian economy. After the civil wars, mining almost stopped.

After the end of the wars, mining started again. This brought jobs but also caused problems for the environment and local communities. Gold, diamonds, and iron ore are the main minerals mined.

Telecommunications

Main article: Communications in Liberia

There are six major newspapers in Liberia, and 65% of the population has a mobile phone. Much of Liberia's communications were damaged during the civil wars. Radio is the main way people get news.

Transportation

Energy

Further information: Energy in Liberia

Public electricity is provided by the state-owned Liberia Electricity Corporation, mainly in the Greater Monrovia District. Most people use small, private generators. The cost of electricity is very high.

Work was completed in 2018 on the Mount Coffee Hydropower Project. Liberia has started looking for oil offshore. The government has divided its offshore waters into blocks for exploration. Companies like Repsol YPF, Chevron Corporation and Woodside Energy have won licenses.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Liberia

See also: Liberian nationality law

Liberia has about 5 million people. The country has many different ethnic groups. The Kpelle are the largest group. Most people speak English, the official language, but there are many other languages too.

Most people in Liberia are Christian, and many also follow traditional beliefs. There are public and private schools, but not everyone can go to school. There are universities, like the University of Liberia, the oldest one in the country. Health care can be hard to get, and some people face health challenges.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Liberia

Liberia’s culture comes from its history and many traditions. The Americo-Liberians settled the country and brought customs from the American South. They also helped make Liberia’s textile and quilting traditions famous.

Liberia has good writers like Edward Wilmot Blyden and Bai T. Moore. The country’s food uses rice a lot, with cassava, fish, and spices. People love association football, and George Weah is a famous player. Liberia is moving from United States customary units to the International System of Units for measuring things.

Media

Main article: Mass media in Liberia

Cuisine

Sport

The most popular sport in Liberia is association football. The Liberia national football team has been in the Africa Cup of Nations finals two times.

Basketball is also popular. The Liberian national basketball team has been in the AfroBasket two times.

In Liberia, the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex is a big stadium.

Measurement system