Liberia: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Country in West Africa}} |
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:''This article is about the country in Africa; for the town in [[Costa Rica]], see [[Liberia, Costa Rica]]'' |
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{{About|the country in Africa|other uses|Liberia (disambiguation)}} |
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{{pp-move|small=yes}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}} |
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{{Use Liberian English|date=August 2020}} |
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{{Infobox country |
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| conventional_long_name = Republic of Liberia |
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| common_name = Liberia |
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| image_flag = Flag of Liberia.svg |
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| image_coat = Coat of arms of Liberia.svg |
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| symbol_type = Coat of arms |
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| image_map = Liberia (orthographic projection).svg |
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| map_caption = {{map caption|location_color=dark green}} |
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| image_map2 = |
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| national_motto = "The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here" |
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| national_anthem = "[[All Hail, Liberia, Hail!]]"{{parabr}}{{center|[[File:Liberia National Anthem.ogg]]}} |
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| official_languages = [[Liberian English|English]] |
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| ethnic_groups = {{unbulleted list |
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| 20.3% [[Kpelle people|Kpelle]] |
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| 13.4% [[Bassa people (Liberia)|Bassa]] |
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| 10% [[Grebo people|Grebo]] |
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| 8% [[Dan people|Dan]] |
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| 7.9% [[Mano people|Mano]] |
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| 6% [[Kru people|Kru]] |
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| 5.1% [[Loma people|Lorma]] |
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| 4.8% [[Kissi people|Kissi]] |
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| 4.4% [[Gola people|Gola]] |
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| 4% [[Krahn]] |
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| 4% [[Vai people|Vai]] |
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| 3.2% [[Mandinka people|Mandinka]] |
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| 3% [[Gbandi]] |
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| 1.3% [[Mende people|Mende]] |
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| 1.2% [[Sapo people|Sapo]] |
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| 0.8% Belle |
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| 0.3% Dey |
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| 0.6% other Liberian |
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| 1.4% other African |
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| 0.1% non-African |
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}} |
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| ethnic_groups_year = 2008<ref name=CIA>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/liberia/ |title=Liberia |work=The Central Intelligence Agency side for Liberia |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |year=2021 |access-date=June 8, 2021 |archive-date=March 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319020318/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/liberia |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| religion = {{unbulleted list| |
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{{Tree list}} |
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*85.1% [[Christianity in Liberia|Christianity]] |
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**76.3% [[Protestantism]] |
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**7.2% [[Catholicism]] |
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**1.6% other [[Christian]] |
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{{Tree list/end}} |
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|12.2% [[Islam in Liberia|Islam]] |
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|1.4% [[Irreligion|no religion]] |
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|1.3% other |
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}} |
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| religion_year = 2018 |
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| religion_ref = <ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-26 |title=The Major Religions Practised In Liberia |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-major-religions-practised-in-liberia.html |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=WorldAtlas |language=en-US |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101144611/https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-major-religions-practised-in-liberia.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| demonym = Liberian |
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| capital = [[Monrovia]] |
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| coordinates = {{Coord|6|19|N|10|48|W|type:city}} |
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| largest_city = Monrovia |
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| government_type = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[presidential republic]] |
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| leader_title1 = [[President of Liberia|President]] |
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| leader_name1 = [[Joseph Boakai]] |
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| leader_title2 = [[Vice President of Liberia|Vice President]] |
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| leader_name2 = [[Jeremiah Koung]] |
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| leader_title3 = [[List of speakers of the House of Representatives of Liberia|House Speaker]] |
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| leader_name3 = [[Jonathan F. Koffa]] |
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| leader_title4 = [[Chief Justice of Liberia|Chief Justice]] |
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| leader_name4 = [[Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh]] |
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| legislature = {{nowrap|[[Legislature of Liberia]]}} |
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| upper_house = [[Senate of Liberia|Senate]] |
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| lower_house = [[House of Representatives of Liberia|House of Representatives]] |
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| area_rank = 102nd <!-- Area rank should match List of countries and dependencies by area --> |
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| area_sq_mi = 43,000.<ref name=CIA/> |
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| percent_water = 13.514 |
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| population_estimate = 5,437,249<ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Liberia|access-date=22 June 2023|year=2023}}</ref> |
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| population_estimate_year = 2024 |
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| population_estimate_rank = 120th |
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| population_density_sq_mi = 92.0 |
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| population_density_rank = 180th |
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| GDP_PPP = {{increase}} $9.718 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.LR">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=668,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Liberia) |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=IMF.org |date=10 October 2023 |access-date=20 October 2023 |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101145334/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=668,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| GDP_PPP_year = 2023 |
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| GDP_PPP_rank = 167th |
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| GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{increase}} $1,789<ref name="IMFWEO.LR" /> |
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| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 184th |
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| GDP_nominal = {{increase}} $4.347 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.LR" /> |
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| GDP_nominal_year = 2023 |
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| GDP_nominal_rank = 171st |
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| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase }} $800<ref name="IMFWEO.LR" /> |
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| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 180th |
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| sovereignty_type = [[History of Liberia|Formation]] and [[Independence]] from [[American Colonization Society]]<!--Note: Liberia was never colonized or claimed by the United States government. It was founded by the ACS (American Colonization Society), a private organization. Please do not change this field to include "from the United States" without first discussing it on the talk page--> |
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| established_event1 = [[American Colonization Society]] settlement |
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| established_date1 = January 7, 1822 |
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| established_event2 = [[Liberian Declaration of Independence|Independence declared]]<!--Note: As stated above, Liberia was never colonized or claimed by the United States government. It was founded by the ACS (American Colonization Society), a private organization. Please do not change this field to include "from the United States" without first discussing it on the talk page--> |
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| established_date2 = July 26, 1847 |
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| established_event3 = [[Republic of Maryland]] annexed |
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| established_date3 = March 18, 1857 |
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| established_event4 = Recognition by the United States |
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| established_date4 = February 5, 1862 |
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| established_event5 = [[United Nations]] membership |
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| established_date5 = November 2, 1945 |
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| established_event6 = [[Constitution of Liberia|Current constitution]] |
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| established_date6 = January 6, 1986 |
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| Gini_year = 2016 |
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| Gini_change = <!--increase/decrease/steady--> |
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| Gini = 35.3 <!--number only--> |
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| Gini_ref = <ref name=gini-index>{{cite web|title=GINI index|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=LR&name_desc=false|publisher=World Bank|access-date=September 21, 2019|archive-date=May 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501233605/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=LR&name_desc=false|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| Gini_rank = |
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| HDI_year = 2022<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year--> |
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| HDI_change = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady--> |
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| HDI = 0.487 <!--number only--> |
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| HDI_ref = <ref>{{Cite web |date=13 March 2024 |title=Human Development Report 2023/2024 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313164319/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf |archive-date=13 March 2024 |access-date=13 March 2024 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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| HDI_rank = 177th |
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| currency = [[United States dollar]] (USD)<br>[[Liberian dollar]] (LRD)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Currency |url=https://cbl.org.lr/general/currency |access-date=January 15, 2023 |website=Central Bank of Liberia |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115023814/https://cbl.org.lr/general/currency |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| currency_code = |
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| utc_offset = {{sp}} |
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| time_zone = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] |
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| date_format = mm/dd/yyyy |
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| drives_on = right |
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| calling_code = [[+231]] |
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| cctld = [[.lr]] |
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| official_website = {{URL|https://www.emansion.gov.lr/}} Executive mansion <!-- https://eliberia.gov.lr/ is insecure as of July 29, 2022, restore when site is safely available --> |
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| today = |
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}} |
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'''Liberia''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Liberia.ogg|l|aɪ|ˈ|b|ɪəɹ|i|ə}}), officially the '''Republic of Liberia''', is a country on the [[West Africa]]n coast. It is bordered by [[Sierra Leone]] to [[Liberia–Sierra Leone border|its northwest]], [[Guinea]] to [[Guinea–Liberia border|its north]], [[Ivory Coast]] to [[Ivory Coast–Liberia border|its east]], and the Atlantic Ocean to its south and southwest. It has a population of around 5.5{{nbsp}}million and covers an area of {{convert|43000|mi2|km2|0}}. The official language is English. [[Languages of Liberia|Over 20 indigenous languages]] are spoken, reflecting the country's ethnic and cultural diversity. The capital and largest [[List of cities in Liberia|city]] is [[Monrovia]]. |
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Liberia began in the early 19th century as a project of the [[American Colonization Society]] (ACS), which believed that black people would face better chances for freedom and prosperity in Africa than in the United States.<ref name="AFP" /> Between 1822 and the outbreak of the [[American Civil War]] in 1861, more than 15,000 freed and free-born [[African Americans]], along with 3,198 [[Afro-Caribbeans]], relocated to Liberia.<ref name="TDIH">[http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/liberian-independence-proclaimed "July 26, 1847 Liberian independence proclaimed"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614180150/http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/liberian-independence-proclaimed |date=June 14, 2021 }}, This Day In History, History website.</ref> Gradually developing an [[Americo-Liberian people|Americo-Liberian]] identity,<ref>Cooper, Helene, ''The House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood'' (United States: Simon and Schuster, 2008), p. 6</ref><ref>[http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107718.html Liberia: History, Geography, Government, and Culture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515002753/http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107718.html |date=May 15, 2013 }}, Infoplease.com</ref> the settlers carried their culture and tradition with them while colonizing the indigenous population. Led by the Americo-Liberians, Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847, which the U.S. did not [[Diplomatic recognition|recognize]] until February 5, 1862. |
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The '''Republic of Liberia''' is a country on the west coast of [[Africa]], bordered by [[Sierra Leone]], [[Guinea]], and [[Côte d'Ivoire]]. It has recently been afflicted by two civil wars ([[1989]]–[[1996]] and [[1999]]–[[2003]]) that have displaced hundreds of thousands of its citizens and destroyed the Liberian [[economics|economy]]. |
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{| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |
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Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence and is Africa's first and oldest modern republic. Along with [[Ethiopian Empire|Ethiopia]], it was one of the two African countries to maintain its sovereignty and independence during the European colonial "[[Scramble for Africa]]". During [[World War II]], Liberia supported the [[Military history of the United States during World War II|U.S. war effort]] against [[Nazi Germany]] and in turn received considerable American investment in infrastructure, which aided the country's wealth and development.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Connections . Liberia . Timeline {{!}} PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/liberia/timeline/time3.html#:~:text=May%208,%201917:%20Pressured%20by,loses%20its%20great%20economic%20ally. |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=www.pbs.org |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129122955/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/liberia/timeline/time3.html#:~:text=May%208,%201917:%20Pressured%20by,loses%20its%20great%20economic%20ally. |url-status=live }}</ref> President [[William Tubman]] encouraged economic and political changes that heightened the country's prosperity and international profile; Liberia was a founding member of the [[League of Nations]], [[United Nations]], and the [[Organisation of African Unity]]. |
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|+<big><big>'''Republic of Liberia'''</font> |
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The Americo-Liberian settlers did not relate well to the indigenous peoples they encountered. Colonial settlements were raided by the [[Kru people|Kru]] and [[Grebo people|Grebo]] from their inland chiefdoms. Americo-Liberians formed into a small elite that held disproportionate political power, while indigenous Africans were excluded from birthright citizenship in their own land until 1904.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.org/details/liberiacountryst00nels|title=Liberia, a country study|first1=Harold D.|last1=Nelson|first2=D. C. ) Foreign Area Studies|last2=American University (Washington|date=January 24, 1984|publisher=Washington, D.C. : The Studies : For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O.|via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref name="Constitutional History">{{cite news |title=Constitutional history of Liberia |url=http://constitutionnet.org/country/liberia |access-date=July 1, 2020 |website=Constitutionnet.org |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428153518/https://constitutionnet.org/country/liberia |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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In 1980, political tensions from the rule of [[William R. Tolbert]] resulted in [[1980 Liberian coup d'état|a military coup]], marking the end of Americo-Liberian rule and the seizure of power of Liberia's first indigenous leader, [[Samuel Doe]]. Establishing a dictatorial regime, Doe was assassinated in 1990 in the context of the [[First Liberian Civil War]] which ran from 1989 until 1997 with the [[1997 Liberian general election|election]] of rebel leader [[Charles Taylor (Liberia)|Charles Taylor]] as president. In 1998, the [[Second Liberian Civil War]] erupted against his own dictatorship, and Taylor was overthrown by the end of the war in 2003. The two wars resulted in the deaths of 250,000 people (about 8% of the population) and the displacement of many more, with [[Economy of Liberia|Liberia's economy]] shrinking by 90%.<ref name="veconomist" >{{cite news|title=Praise for the woman who put Liberia back on its feet|url=https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21730015-ellen-johnson-sirleaf-has-not-been-perfect-president-she-has-been-good-enough-praise|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=October 5, 2017|access-date=October 6, 2017|archive-date=May 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515065549/https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21730015-ellen-johnson-sirleaf-has-not-been-perfect-president-she-has-been-good-enough-praise|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement|peace agreement in 2003]] led to democratic elections in [[2005 Liberian general election|2005]]. The country has remained relatively stable since then. |
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== History == |
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{{main|History of Liberia}} |
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=== Indigenous people === |
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The presence of [[Oldowan]] artifacts in West Africa was confirmed by [[Michael Omolewa]], attesting to the presence of ancient humans.<ref name="Omolewa">{{cite book |last1=Michael |first1=Omolewa |date=1986 |title=Certificate history of Nigeria |url=https://www.africabib.org/s/rec.php?RID=406720584 |publisher=Longman |isbn=978-0582585188 |access-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414143441/https://www.africabib.org/s/rec.php?RID=406720584 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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Undated [[Acheulean]] (ESA) artifacts are well documented across [[West Africa]]. The emerging [[chronometric dating|chronometric record]] of the [[Middle Stone Age]] (MSA) indicates that [[lithic core|core]] and [[flake tool|flake]] technologies have been present in West Africa since at least the [[Chibanian]] (~780–126 thousand years ago or [[kiloannus|ka]]) in northern, open [[Sahel]]ian zones, and that they persisted until the [[Late Pleistocene|Terminal Pleistocene]]/[[Holocene]] boundary (~12 ka) in both northern and southern zones of West Africa. This makes them the youngest examples of such MSA technology anywhere in Africa. The presence of MSA populations in forests remains an open question. Technological differences may correlate with various [[Afrotropical realm|ecological zones]]. [[Later Stone Age]] (LSA) populations evidence significant technological diversification, including both [[Microlitic industry|microlith]]ic and [[Stone tool#Neolithic industries|macrolithic]] traditions.<ref name="Scerri">{{cite journal |last1=Eleanor |first1=Scerri |date=1986 |title=T Certificate history of Nigeria |url=https://www.africabib.org/s/rec.php?RID=406720584 |url-status=dead |journal=AfricanBib |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.013.137 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414143441/https://www.africabib.org/s/rec.php?RID=406720584 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |access-date=July 26, 2020}}</ref> |
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The record shows that [[aceramic]] and [[ceramic]] LSA assemblages in West Africa overlap chronologically, and that changing densities of [[microlithic industries]] from the coast to the north are geographically structured. These features may represent social networks or some form of cultural diffusion allied to changing ecological conditions.<ref name="Scerri" /> |
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Microlithic industries with ceramics became common by the [[Northgrippian|Mid-Holocene]], coupled with an apparent intensification of wild food exploitation. Between ~4–3.5 ka, these societies gradually transformed into food producers, possibly through contact with northern pastoralists and agriculturalists, as the environment became more arid. Hunter-gatherers have survived in the more forested parts of West Africa until much later, attesting to the strength of ecological boundaries in this region.<ref name="Scerri" /> |
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[[File:Negroland and Guinea with the European Settlements, 1736.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|A European map of West Africa and the [[Grain Coast]], 1736. It has the archaic mapping designation of [[Negroland]].]] |
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=== Mande expansion === |
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The [[Pepper Coast]], also known as the Grain Coast, has been inhabited by indigenous peoples of Africa at least as far back as the 12th century. [[Mande peoples|Mande]]-speaking people expanded from the north and east, forcing many smaller ethnic groups southward toward the Atlantic Ocean. The [[Dei people|Dei]], [[Bassa (Liberia)|Bassa]], [[Kru people|Kru]], [[Gola (ethnic group)|Gola]], and [[Kissi people|Kissi]] were some of the earliest documented peoples in the area.<ref name=introprof>{{cite journal |last1=Dunn-Marcos |first1=Robin |last2=Kollehlon |first2=Konia T. |last3=Ngovo |first3=Bernard |last4=Russ |first4=Emily |editor-last=Ranar |editor-first=Donald A. |date=April 2005 |title=Liberians: An Introduction to their History and Culture |journal=Culture Profile |issue=19 |publisher=Center for Applied Linguistics |access-date=July 23, 2011|url=http://www.cal.org/co/liberians/liberian_050406_1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625062344/http://www.cal.org/co/liberians/liberian_050406_1.pdf|archive-date=June 25, 2008|pages=5–6}}</ref> |
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This influx of these groups was compounded by the decline of the [[Mali Empire]] in 1375 and the [[Songhai Empire]] in 1591. As inland regions underwent [[desertification]], inhabitants moved to the wetter coast. These new inhabitants brought skills such as cotton [[spinning (textiles)|spinning]], cloth [[weaving]], iron [[smelting]], [[rice]] and [[sorghum]] cultivation, and social and political institutions from the Mali and Songhai empires.<ref name=introprof /> Shortly after the [[Mane people|Mane]] conquered the region, the [[Vai people]] of the former Mali Empire immigrated into the [[Grand Cape Mount County]] region. The ethnic Kru opposed the influx of Vai, forming an alliance with the Mane to stop further influx of Vai.<ref>{{cite book|author=Jesse N. Mongrue M. Ed|title=Liberia-America's Footprint in Africa: Making the Cultural, Social, and Political Connections|date=2011|page=24|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=978-1462021642}}</ref> |
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People along the coast built [[canoe]]s and traded with other West Africans from [[Cap-Vert]] to the [[Gold Coast (region)|Gold Coast]]. |
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=== Early colonization === |
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{{main|Colony of Liberia}} |
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Between 1461 and the late 17th century, [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]], [[Dutch people|Dutch]], and [[British people|British]] traders had contacts and trading posts in the region. The Portuguese named the area ''Costa da Pimenta'' ("Pepper Coast") but it later came to be known as the [[Grain Coast]], due to the abundance of [[melegueta pepper]] grains.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grain Coast Definition & Meaning |url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/grain-coast |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=Dictionary.com |language=en |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101145334/https://www.dictionary.com/browse/grain-coast |url-status=live }}</ref> The traders would barter commodities and goods with local people.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Syfert |first=Dwight N. |date=April 1977 |title=The Liberian Coasting Trade, 1822–1900 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-african-history/article/abs/liberian-coasting-trade-18221900/889FDC6F143C53CE5BA593314D85A4A3 |journal=The Journal of African History |language=en |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=217–235 |doi=10.1017/S0021853700015504 |issn=1469-5138}}</ref> |
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In the United States, there was a movement to settle [[African Americans]], both free-born and formerly enslaved, in Africa. This was because they faced racial discrimination in the form of political disenfranchisement and the denial of civil, religious, and social rights.<ref>Howard Brotz, ed., African American Social & Political Thought 1850–1920 (New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 1996), 38–39.</ref> Formed in 1816, the [[American Colonization Society]] (ACS) was made up mostly of [[Quakers]] and slaveholders. Quakers believed black people would face better chances for freedom in Africa than in the U.S.<ref name=AFP>[http://www.fcnl.org/issues/item.php?item_id=731&issue_id=75 "Background on conflict in Liberia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214051143/http://www.fcnl.org/issues/item.php?item_id=731&issue_id=75 |date=February 14, 2007 }}, Friends Committee on National Legislation, July 30, 2003</ref><ref name="Sale">Maggie Montesinos Sale (1997). ''The Slumbering Volcano: American Slave Ship Revolts and the Production of Rebellious Masculinity'', Duke University Press, 1997, p. 264. {{ISBN|0822319926}}</ref> While slaveholders opposed freedom for enslaved people, some viewed "repatriation" of free people of color as a way to avoid [[slave rebellion]]s.<ref name=AFP/> |
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In 1822, the American Colonization Society began sending free people of color to the Pepper Coast voluntarily to establish a colony. Mortality from [[tropical disease]]s was high—of the 4,571 emigrants who arrived in Liberia between 1820 and 1843, only 1,819 survived.<ref name="Shick 1971">{{cite journal|last1=Shick|first1=Tom W.|title=A quantitative analysis of Liberian colonization from 1820 to 1843 with special reference to mortality|journal=The Journal of African History|date=January 1971|volume=12|issue=1|pages=45–59|doi=10.1017/S0021853700000062|pmid=11632218|jstor=180566|s2cid=31153316 |url=http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/34895| issn = 0021-8537}}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Shick 1980">{{cite book|last1=Shick|first1=Tom W.|title=Behold the Promised Land: A History of Afro-American Settler Society in Nineteenth-century Liberia|date=1980|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|isbn=978-0801823091}}</ref> By 1867, the ACS (and state-related chapters) had assisted in the migration of more than 13,000 people of color from the United States and the Caribbean to Liberia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/afam002.html|title=The African-American Mosaic|website=[[Library of Congress]]|date=July 23, 2010|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-date=February 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226111511/http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/afam002.html|url-status=live}}</ref> These free African Americans and their descendants married within their community and came to identify as [[Americo-Liberian]]s. Many were of mixed race and educated in American culture; they did not identify with the indigenous natives of the tribes they encountered. They developed an ethnic group that had a cultural tradition infused with American notions of political republicanism and Protestant Christianity.<ref>{{cite thesis |last = Wegmann |first = Andrew N. |date = May 5, 2010 |title = Christian Community and the Development of an Americo-Liberian Identity, 1824–1878 |type = MA thesis |publisher = Louisiana State University |url = https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/525/ |doi = 10.31390/gradschool_theses.525 |df = mdy-all |doi-access = free |access-date = November 11, 2022 |archive-date = November 11, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221111201936/https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/525/ |url-status = live }}</ref> |
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[[File:Mitchell Map Liberia colony 1839.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Map of Liberia Colony in the 1830s, created by the ACS, and also showing Mississippi Colony and other state-sponsored colonies.]] |
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The ACS, supported by prominent American politicians such as [[Abraham Lincoln]], [[Henry Clay]], and [[James Monroe]], believed "repatriation" was preferable to having emancipated slaves remain in the United States.<ref name="Sale"/> Similar state-based organizations established colonies in [[Mississippi-in-Africa]], [[Kentucky in Africa]], and the [[Republic of Maryland]], which Liberia later annexed. Lincoln in 1862 described Liberia as only "in a certain sense...a success", and proposed instead that free people of color be assisted to emigrate to [[Chiriquí Province|Chiriquí]], today part of Panama.<ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/lincoln5/1:812?rgn=div1;singlegenre=All;sort=occur;subview=detail;type=simple;view=fulltext;q1=April+16%2C+1862=trgt|title=Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 5|chapter=Address on Colonization to a Deputation of Negroes|date=August 14, 1862|access-date=August 21, 2019|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614183123/https://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/lincoln5/1:812?rgn=div1;singlegenre=All;sort=occur;subview=detail;type=simple;view=fulltext;q1=April+16,+1862=trgt|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The Americo-Liberian settlers did not relate well to the indigenous peoples they encountered, especially those in communities of the more isolated "[[the bush|bush]]". The colonial settlements were raided by the [[Kru people|Kru]] and [[Grebo people|Grebo]] from their inland chiefdoms. Encounters with tribal Africans in the bush often became violent. Believing themselves different from and culturally and educationally superior to the indigenous peoples, the Americo-Liberians developed as an elite minority that created and held on to political power. The Americo-Liberian settlers adopted clothing such as [[hoop skirt]]s and [[tailcoat]]s and generally viewed themselves as culturally and socially superior to indigenous Africans.<ref name="Smithsonian">{{cite journal|last1=MacDougall|first1=Clair|title=These Abandoned Buildings Are the Last Remnants of Liberia's Founding History|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/liberia-created-former-slaves-fading-into-history-180959503/|journal=[[Smithsonian Magazine]]|date=July–August 2016|access-date=June 23, 2021|archive-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420194225/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/liberia-created-former-slaves-fading-into-history-180959503/|url-status=live}}</ref> Indigenous tribesmen did not enjoy birthright citizenship in their own land until 1904.<ref name="Constitutional History"/> Americo-Liberians encouraged religious organizations to set up missions and schools to educate the indigenous peoples.<ref name="Smithsonian" /> |
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=== Political formation === |
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[[File:T. WILLIAMS (c1850) Residence of Joseph Roberts, President of the Republic of Liberia.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Residence of [[Joseph Jenkins Roberts]], first President of Liberia, between 1848 and 1852.]] |
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On July 26, 1847, the settlers issued a [[Liberian Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and promulgated a [[Liberian Constitution of 1847|constitution]]. Based on the political principles of the [[United States Constitution]], it established the independent Republic of Liberia.<ref name=volume> |
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{{cite book |last1=Johnston |first1=Harry Hamilton |last2=Stapf |first2=Otto |title=Liberia, Volume I |publisher=Hutchinson & Co |year=1906 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XTYbAAAAYAAJ|isbn=1143315057}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Adekeye Adebajo|date=2002|title=Liberia's Civil War: Nigeria, ECOMOG, and Regional Security in West Africa|publisher=International Peace Academy|page=21|isbn=1588260526}}</ref> On August 24, Liberia adopted its 11-striped [[Flag of Liberia|national flag]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Liberia: Open Door to Travel and Investment |date=1967 |publisher=Liberia. Department of Information and Cultural Affairs |page=19|quote=This symbol of Negro liberty was first unfurled on August 24, 1847}}</ref> The [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] was the first country to recognize Liberia's independence.<ref name="Ricks">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40500884 "How a former slave gave a quilt to Queen Victoria"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614180140/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40500884 |date=June 14, 2021 }}. BBC. July 11, 2017</ref> The United States did not recognize Liberia until 1862, after the Southern states, which had strong political power in the American government, declared their secession and the formation of the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Revolutionary Summer of 1862 |url=https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2017/winter/summer-of-1862 |website=National Archives |access-date=September 20, 2020 |language=en |date=April 20, 2018 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614180151/https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2017/winter/summer-of-1862 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Frontline/World – Liberia – No More War – Liberia's Historic Ties to America PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/liberia/history.html |website=www.pbs.org |access-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511022917/http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/liberia/history.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Independent Lens – Iron Ladies of Liberia – Liberian History PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/ironladies/history.html |website=www.pbs.org |access-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414114425/https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/ironladies/history.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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The leadership of the new nation consisted largely of the [[Americo-Liberian]]s, who at the beginning established political and economic dominance in the coastal areas that the ACS had purchased; they maintained relations with the United States and contacts in developing these areas and the resulting trade. Their passage of the 1865 Ports of Entry Act prohibited foreign commerce with the inland tribes, ostensibly to "encourage the growth of civilized values" before such trade was allowed in the region.<ref name=volume/> <!--How? --> |
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[[File:(1896) Departure of colored emigrants for Liberia - The Illustrated American, March 21, 1896.jpg|thumb|left|African Americans depart for Liberia, 1896. The ACS sent its last emigrants to Liberia in 1904.]] |
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By 1877, the [[True Whig Party]] was the country's most powerful political entity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, The Near East and Africa, Volume V - Office of the Historian |url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1951v05/d722 |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=history.state.gov |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712124205/https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1951v05/d722 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was made up primarily of Americo-Liberians, who maintained social, economic and political dominance well into the 20th century, repeating patterns of European colonists in other nations in Africa. Competition for office was usually contained within the party; a party nomination virtually ensured election.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Cuffee |first1=Paul |last2=Ashmun |first2=Jehudi |last3=Society |first3=American Colonization |date=2010-07-23 |title=Colonization - The African-American Mosaic Exhibition {{!}} Exhibitions (Library of Congress) |url=https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/afam002.html |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=www.loc.gov |archive-date=February 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226111511/http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/afam002.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Pressure from the United Kingdom, which controlled [[Sierra Leone]] to the northwest, and France, with its interests in the north and east, led to a loss of Liberia's claims to extensive territories. Both Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast annexed territories.<ref>{{Citation |last=Cole |first=Gibril R. |title=The History of Sierra Leone |date=2021-03-25 |url=https://oxfordre.com/africanhistory/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.001.0001/acrefore-9780190277734-e-625 |encyclopedia=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History |access-date=2023-07-12 |language=en |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.013.625 |isbn=978-0-19-027773-4}}</ref> Liberia struggled to attract investment to develop infrastructure and a larger, industrial economy. |
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There was a decline in the production of Liberian goods in the late 19th century, and the government struggled financially, resulting in indebtedness on a series of international loans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/liberia/overview |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=World Bank |language=en |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712185824/https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/liberia/overview |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 16, 1892, [[Martha Ann Erskine Ricks]] met [[Queen Victoria]] at Windsor Castle and presented her with a handmade quilt, Liberia's first diplomatic gift. Born into slavery in Tennessee, Ricks said, "I had heard it often, from the time I was a child, how good the Queen had been to my people—to slaves—and how she wanted us to be free."<ref name="Ricks"/> |
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=== Early 20th century === |
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[[File:LiberiaKing.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|[[Charles D. B. King]], 17th President of Liberia (1920–1930), with his entourage on the steps of the [[Peace Palace]], The Hague (the Netherlands), 1927.]] |
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American and other international interests emphasized resource extraction, with rubber production as a major industry in the early 20th century.<ref>{{cite book|author=Robert Jefferson Norrell|title=Up from History: The Life of Booker T. Washington|url=https://archive.org/details/upfromhistorylif0000norr|url-access=registration|date= 2009|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0674032118|pages=[https://archive.org/details/upfromhistorylif0000norr/page/374 374]–375}}<br />{{cite journal |last=Rosenberg |first=Emily S. |date=June 1, 2007 |title=The Invisible Protectorate: The United States, Liberia, and the Evolution of Neocolonialism, 1909–40 |journal=Diplomatic History |publisher=Oxford Journals |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=191–214 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-7709.1985.tb00532.x }}</ref> In 1914, [[Imperial Germany]] accounted for three-quarters of the trade of Liberia. This was a cause for concern among the British colonial authorities of [[Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate|Sierra Leone]] and the French colonial authorities of [[French Guinea]] and the [[Ivory Coast]] as tensions with Germany increased.<ref name="Tucker">{{cite book |last1=Tucker |first1=Spencer |title=World War I: Encyclopedia |date=2005 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1851094202 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2YqjfHLyyj8C&pg=PA689 |access-date=August 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028225958/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2YqjfHLyyj8C&pg=PA689 |archive-date=October 28, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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==== World Wars and interwar period ==== |
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{{further|Liberia in World War I|Liberia in World War II}} |
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Liberia remained neutral during [[World War I]] until August 4, 1917, when it declared war on Germany. Subsequently, it was [[List of participants to Paris Peace Conference, 1919–1920#Other national representatives|one of 32 nations]] to take part in the [[Versailles Peace Conference]] in 1919, which ended the war and established the [[League of Nations]]; Liberia was among the few African and non-Western nations to participate in the conference and the founding of the league.<ref name="Heffinck">{{cite web |last1=Heffinck |first1=Ariane |title=Liberia: A Nation in Recovery |url=https://una-gp.org/2014/02/17/liberia-a-nation-in-recovery/ |website=una-gp.org |publisher=United Nations Association of Philadelphia |access-date=August 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107000113/https://una-gp.org/2014/02/17/liberia-a-nation-in-recovery/ |archive-date=November 7, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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In [[1927 Liberian general election|1927, the country's elections]] again showed the power of the True Whig Party, with electoral proceedings that have been called some of the most rigged ever;<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110727120702/http://www.newdemocrat.org/other/1MayNEC.html Elections Chief Hints Slashing Numbers of Mushrooming Parties for 2005 Polls] New Democrat</ref> the winning candidate was declared to have received votes amounting to more than 15 times the number of eligible voters.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Akwei |first=Ismail |date=2017-10-08 |title=Elections history in Africa's oldest democratic republic: Liberia |url=https://www.africanews.com/2017/10/08/elections-history-in-africa-s-oldest-democratic-republic-liberia |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406105547/https://www.africanews.com/2017/10/08/elections-history-in-africa-s-oldest-democratic-republic-liberia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> (The loser actually received around 60% of the eligible vote.)<ref name=":1" /> |
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Soon after, allegations of [[modern slavery]] in Liberia led the League of Nations to establish the [[Cuthbert Christy#Christy commission|Christy Commission]]. Findings included government involvement in widespread "forced or compulsory labour". Minority ethnic groups especially were exploited in a system that enriched well-connected elites.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Christy|first=Cuthbert|date=December 15, 1930|title=Commission's Report: International Commission of Enquiry in Liberia |url=http://biblio-archive.unog.ch/Dateien/CouncilMSD/C-658-M-272-1930-VI_EN.pdf|journal=League of Nations|pages=127|access-date=October 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412091820/https://biblio-archive.unog.ch/Dateien/CouncilMSD/C-658-M-272-1930-VI_EN.pdf|archive-date=April 12, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> As a result of the report, President [[Charles D. B. King]] and Vice President [[Allen N. Yancy]] resigned.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liberiapastandpresent.org/1926FirestoneCA.htm|title=President Charles D.B. King|last=Van der Kraaij|first=Fred PM|access-date=February 5, 2018|website=Liberia Past and Present|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119001654/http://www.liberiapastandpresent.org/1926FirestoneCA.htm|archive-date=January 19, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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In the mid-20th century, Liberia gradually began to modernize with American assistance. During [[World War II]], the United States made major infrastructure improvements to support its military efforts in Africa and Europe against Germany. It built the [[Freeport of Monrovia]] and [[Roberts International Airport]] under the [[Lend-Lease]] program before its entry into the Second World War.<ref name="opendoor">{{cite journal |last1=Marinelli |first1=Lawrence |year=1964 |title=Liberia's Open Door Policy |journal=The Journal of Modern African Studies |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=91–98 |doi=10.1017/s0022278x00003694|s2cid=153385644 }}</ref> |
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After the war, President [[William Tubman]] encouraged foreign investment, with Liberia achieving the second-highest rate of economic growth in the world during the 1950s.<ref name=opendoor/> In international affairs, it was a founding member of the [[United Nations]], a vocal critic of [[South Africa]]n [[apartheid]],<ref> |
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{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,899287,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028154941/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,899287,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 28, 2010|title=Africa: A Vote on Apartheid |magazine=Time |date=July 29, 1966 |access-date=July 20, 2011}}</ref> a proponent of African independence from European colonial powers, and a supporter of [[Pan-Africanism]]. Liberia also helped to fund the [[Organisation of African Unity]].<ref> |
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{{cite journal|last1 = Adogamh|first1 = Paul G.|date = July 2008|title = Pan-Africanism Revisited: Vision and Reality of African Unity and Development|journal = African Review of Integration|volume = 2|issue = 2|url = http://www.africa-union.org/root/ua/Newsletter/EA/Vol2%20No2/Adogamhe.pdf|access-date = July 20, 2011|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110925055350/http://www.africa-union.org/root/ua/Newsletter/EA/Vol2%20No2/Adogamhe.pdf|archive-date = September 25, 2011|df = mdy-all}}</ref>[[File:Technical Liberia.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|A [[Technical (vehicle)|technical]] in Monrovia during the [[Second Liberian Civil War]].]] |
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=== Late 20th-century political instability === |
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On April 12, 1980, [[1980 Liberian coup d'état|a military coup]] led by Master Sergeant [[Samuel Doe]] of the [[Krahn]] ethnic group overthrew and killed President [[William R. Tolbert Jr.]] Doe and the other plotters later executed most of Tolbert's cabinet and other Americo-Liberian government officials and True Whig Party members on a Monrovia beach.<ref name=global>{{cite web|author=Anjali Mitter Duva|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/liberia/essays/uspolicy/|title=Liberia and the United States: A Complex Relationship|publisher=PBS|year=2002|access-date=July 20, 2011|archive-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405040412/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/liberia/essays/uspolicy/|url-status=live}}</ref> The coup leaders formed the [[People's Redemption Council]] (PRC) to govern the country.<ref name=global/> A strategic [[Cold War]] ally of the West, Doe received significant financial backing from the United States while critics condemned the PRC for corruption and political repression.<ref name=global/> |
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After Liberia adopted a [[Constitution of Liberia|new constitution]] in 1985, Doe was elected president in [[1985 Liberian general election|subsequent elections]] that were internationally condemned as fraudulent.<ref name=global/> On November 12, 1985, a failed coup was launched by [[Thomas Quiwonkpa]], whose soldiers briefly occupied the national [[radio station]].<ref name=notes> |
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{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1050633,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915040235/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1050633,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 15, 2010|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=Liberia Comrades Turned Enemies|magazine=Time|date=November 25, 1985 |access-date=July 22, 2011}}</ref> Government repression intensified in response, as Doe's troops responded by executing members of the [[Gio people|Gio]] and [[Mano people|Mano]] ethnic groups in [[Nimba County]].<ref name=notes/> |
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The [[National Patriotic Front of Liberia]], a rebel group led by [[Charles Taylor (Liberia)|Charles Taylor]], launched an insurrection in December 1989 against Doe's government with the backing of neighboring countries such as [[Burkina Faso]] and [[Ivory Coast]]. This triggered the [[First Liberian Civil War]].<ref> |
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{{cite book |last=Ellis|first=Stephen |title=The Mask of Anarchy Updated Edition: The Destruction of Liberia and the Religious Dimension of an African Civil War |publisher=NYU Press |year=2001 |page=75 |isbn=0814722385}}</ref> By September 1990, Doe's forces controlled only a small area just outside the capital, and Doe was captured and executed in that month by rebel forces.<ref name=bbc>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1043500.stm |title=Liberia country profile |newspaper=BBC News |date=May 4, 2011 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=October 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019032026/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1043500.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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The rebels soon split into conflicting factions. The [[Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group|Economic Community Monitoring Group]] under the [[Economic Community of West African States]] organized an armed intervention.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-01-22 |title=Liberia profile – Timeline |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13732188 |access-date=2022-08-30 |archive-date=August 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830203707/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13732188 |url-status=live }}</ref> Between 1989 and 1997, around 60,000 to 80,000 Liberians died, and, by 1996, around 700,000 others had been displaced into refugee camps in neighboring countries.<ref>World Peace Foundation, [https://sites.tufts.edu/atrocityendings/2015/08/07/liberia-first-civil-war/ ''Mass Atrocity Endings: Liberia''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211222239/https://sites.tufts.edu/atrocityendings/2015/08/07/liberia-first-civil-war/ |date=February 11, 2021 }}, Medford, Massachusetts: Tufts University, August 7, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2020</ref> A peace deal between warring parties was reached in 1995, leading to [[1997 Liberian general election|Taylor's election as president in 1997]].<ref name=bbc/> |
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Under Taylor's leadership, Liberia became a [[pariah state]] due to its use of [[blood diamond]]s and illegal [[timber]] exports to fund the [[Revolutionary United Front]] in the [[Sierra Leone Civil War]].<ref name=warrant>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2961390.stm |title=Arrest warrant for Liberian leader |work=BBC News |date=June 4, 2003 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928082753/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2961390.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Second Liberian Civil War]] began in 1999 when [[Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy]], a rebel group based in the northwest of the country, launched an armed insurrection against Taylor.<ref name=cbc> |
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{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/liberia/ |title=Indepth: Liberia, Land of the free |newspaper=CBC News |date=July 23, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908174543/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/liberia/ |archive-date=September 8, 2013 }}</ref> |
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=== 21st century === |
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In March 2003, a second rebel group, [[Movement for Democracy in Liberia]], began launching attacks against Taylor from the southeast.<ref name=cbc/> Peace talks between the factions began in [[Accra]] in June of that year, and Taylor was indicted by the [[Special Court for Sierra Leone]] (SCSL) for crimes against humanity the same month.<ref name=warrant/> By July 2003, the rebels had launched an [[Siege of Monrovia|assault on Monrovia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.economist.com/node/1944472?story_id=E1_TJQQQSN |title=Liberia's civil war: Fiddling while Monrovia burns |newspaper=The Economist |date=July 24, 2003 |access-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208115445/http://www.economist.com/node/1944472?story_id=E1_TJQQQSN |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Under heavy pressure from the international community and the domestic [[Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace]] movement,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15215312 |title=Profile: Leymah Gbowee{{snd}}Liberia's 'peace warrior' |work=BBC News |date=October 7, 2011 |access-date=October 20, 2011 |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530220828/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15215312 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Taylor resigned in August 2003 and went into exile in [[Nigeria]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Ann M. |last=Simmons |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2003/08/12/taylor-resigns-as-president-of-liberia-leaves-the-country/ |title=Taylor resigns as president of Liberia, leaves the country |newspaper=Baltimore Sune |date=August 12, 2003 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111130718/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2003-08-12/news/0308120316_1_charles-taylor-liberia-sierra-leone |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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A peace deal was signed later that month.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/aug/19/westafrica |title=Liberian rebels sign peace deal |newspaper=The Guardian |date=August 19, 2003 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131034059/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/aug/19/westafrica |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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The [[United Nations Mission in Liberia]] began arriving in September 2003 to provide security and monitor the peace accord,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsite.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportID=47807 |title=Liberia: UNMIL extends deployment as more troops arrive |work=IRIN News |date=December 24, 2003 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=January 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117190239/http://newsite.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportID=47807 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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and an interim government took power the following October.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/oct/14/westafrica |title=Bryant takes power in Liberia |newspaper=The Guardian |date=October 14, 2003 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131034209/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/oct/14/westafrica |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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The subsequent [[2005 Liberian general election|2005 elections]] were internationally regarded as the freest and fairest in Liberian history.<ref name=freedom/> [[Ellen Johnson Sirleaf]], a US-educated economist, former Minister of Finance and future [[Nobel Prize for Peace]] winner, was elected as the first female president in Africa.<ref name=freedom/> Upon her inauguration, Sirleaf requested the extradition of Taylor from Nigeria and transferred him to the SCSL for trial in [[The Hague]].<ref>{{cite web |date=March 17, 2006 |title=Liberia–Nigeria: "Time to bring Taylor issue to closure," says Sirleaf |url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2006/03/17/%E2%80%9Ctime-bring-taylor-issue-closure%E2%80%9D-says-sirleaf |access-date=January 23, 2023 |work=[[The New Humanitarian]] |archive-date=May 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504151733/http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=58474 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://unmil.org/1article.asp?id=1157&zdoc=1 |title=Taylor Sent Off to Face War Crimes Charges |work=AFP |publisher=UNMIL |date=March 29, 2006 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005100159/http://unmil.org/1article.asp?id=1157&zdoc=1 |archive-date=October 5, 2011 }}</ref> |
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In 2006, the government established a [[Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Liberia)|Truth and Reconciliation Commission]] to address the causes and crimes of the civil war.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 21, 2006 |title=War-battered nation launches truth commission |url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/report/58220/liberia-war-battered-nation-launches-truth-commission |access-date=January 23, 2023 |work=[[The New Humanitarian]] |archive-date=February 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222114809/http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=58220 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, July 26 was proclaimed by President Sirleaf as National Independence Day.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://mofa.gov.lr/public2/2press.php?news_id=397&related=7&pg=sp |title=Tuesday, July 26, is National Independence Day; to be Observed as National Holiday |publisher=Government of the Republic of Liberia Ministry of Foreign Affairs |access-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-date=August 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802050652/https://mofa.gov.lr/public2/2press.php?news_id=397&related=7&pg=sp |url-status=dead }}</ref> In October 2011, peace activist [[Leymah Gbowee]] received the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] in her work of leading a women's peace movement that brought to an end to the [[Second Liberian Civil War]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Founder |url=https://www.gboweepeaceusa.org/our-founder |website=Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa-USA |access-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116232107/https://www.gboweepeaceusa.org/our-founder |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2011, President Sirleaf was [[2011 Liberian general election|re-elected]] for a second six-year term.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sirleaf seen winning Liberia run-off vote |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-liberia-election-preview-idUSTRE7A62BD20111107 |work=Reuters |date=7 November 2011 |language=en |access-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116232638/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-liberia-election-preview-idUSTRE7A62BD20111107 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Following the [[2017 Liberian general election]], former professional [[Association football|football]] striker [[George Weah]], considered one of the greatest African players of all time,<ref name="journey">{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.za/2018/01/23/from-football-king-to-liberian-president-george-weahs-journey_a_23340918/ |title=From Football King To Liberian President – George Weah's Journey |work=Huffington Post |author1=Nkosinathi Shazi |date=January 23, 2018 |access-date=October 3, 2018 |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116174121/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.za/2018/01/23/from-football-king-to-liberian-president-george-weahs-journey_a_23340918/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Top 10 Greatest African Strikers |url=http://www.joburgpost.co.za/2017/06/06/top-10-greatest-african-strikers/ |access-date=August 27, 2018 |work=Johannesburg Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220025546/http://www.joburgpost.co.za/2017/06/06/top-10-greatest-african-strikers/ |archive-date=February 20, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> was sworn in as president on January 22, 2018, becoming the fourth youngest serving president in Africa.<ref name="Listwand">{{cite news|title=Top 10 youngest serving presidents in Africa, 2018|url=https://listwand.com/2018/01/top-10-youngest-presidents-in-africa-updated/|agency=Listwand|date=October 3, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2019|archive-date=October 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003125007/https://listwand.com/2018/01/top-10-youngest-presidents-in-africa-updated/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The inauguration marked Liberia's first fully democratic transition in 74 years.<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news|title=George Weah sworn in as Liberia's president|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42773165|agency=BBC|date=March 22, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2019|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614181951/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42773165|url-status=live}}</ref> Weah cited fighting corruption, reforming the economy, combating illiteracy, and improving living conditions as the main targets of his presidency.<ref name="BBC News"/> Opposition leader [[Joseph Boakai]] defeated Weah in the tightly contested [[2023 Liberian general election|2023 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Liberia's George Weah concedes presidential election defeat to Joseph Boakai |url=https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20231118-liberia-s-george-weah-concedes-presidential-election-ahead-of-final-result |work=France 24 |date=18 November 2023 |language=en |access-date=December 2, 2023 |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202164031/https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20231118-liberia-s-george-weah-concedes-presidential-election-ahead-of-final-result |url-status=live }}</ref> On 22 January 2024, Boakai was sworn in as Liberia's new president.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boakai sworn in as new Liberia president after victory over Weah |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/22/boakai-sworn-in-as-new-liberia-president-after-victory-over-weah |work=Al Jazeera |language=en |access-date=February 15, 2024 |archive-date=February 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206122521/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/22/boakai-sworn-in-as-new-liberia-president-after-victory-over-weah |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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{{clear left}} |
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== Geography == |
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{{main|Geography of Liberia}} |
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[[File:Topographic map of Liberia-en.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|A map of Liberia]] |
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Liberia is situated in [[West Africa]], bordering the North Atlantic Ocean to the country's southwest. It lies between latitudes [[4th parallel north|4°]] and [[9th parallel north|9°N]], and longitudes [[7th meridian west|7°]] and [[12th meridian west|12°W]]. |
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The landscape is characterized by mostly flat to rolling coastal plains that contain [[mangrove]]s and [[swamp]]s, which rise to a rolling plateau and low mountains in the northeast.<ref name="eowg">{{cite book|last=Bateman|first=Graham|author2=Victoria Egan |author3=Fiona Gold |author4=Philip Gardner |title=Encyclopedia of World Geography|publisher=Barnes & Noble Books|location=New York|year=2000|page=161|isbn=1566192919}}</ref> |
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Tropical [[rainforest]]s cover the hills, while elephant grass and [[semi-deciduous]] forests make up the dominant vegetation in the northern sections.<ref name="eowg"/> |
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Liberia's watershed tends to move in a southwestern pattern toward the sea as new rains move down the forested plateau off the inland mountain range of [[Guinée Forestière]], in [[Guinea]]. [[Grand Cape Mount County|Cape Mount]] near the border with [[Sierra Leone]] receives the most precipitation in the nation.<ref name="eowg"/> |
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Liberia's main northwestern boundary is traversed by the Mano River while its southeast limits are bounded by the [[Cavalla River]].<ref name="eowg"/> Liberia's three largest rivers are [[Saint Paul River|St. Paul]] exiting near [[Monrovia]], the river [[Saint John River (Liberia)|St. John]] at [[Buchanan, Liberia|Buchanan]], and the [[Cestos River]], all of which flow into the Atlantic. The Cavalla is the longest river in the nation at {{convert|320|mi|km}}.<ref name="eowg"/> |
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The highest point wholly within Liberia is [[Mount Wuteve]] at {{convert|4724|ft|m}} [[above sea level]] in the northwestern Liberia range of the West Africa Mountains and the [[Guinea Highlands]].<ref name="eowg"/> [[Mount Nimba]], near [[Yekepa]], is higher at {{convert|1752|m|ft}} [[above sea level]], but is not wholly within Liberia as Nimba is located at the point where Liberia borders both Guinea and [[Ivory Coast]]. Nimba is thus the tallest mountain in those countries, as well.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/155/ |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923080631/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/155/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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=== Climate === |
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{{See also|Climate change in Liberia}} |
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[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map LBR present.svg|thumb|Liberia map of Köppen climate classification.]] |
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The equatorial climate, in the south of the country, is hot year-round with heavy rainfall from May to October with a short interlude in mid-July to August.<ref name="eowg"/> During the winter months of November to March, dry dust-laden [[harmattan]] winds blow inland, causing many problems for residents.<ref name="eowg"/> Climate change in Liberia causes many problems as Liberia is particularly [[Climate change vulnerability|vulnerable to climate change]]. Like many [[Climate change in Africa|other countries in Africa]], Liberia both faces existing [[Environmental issues in Liberia|environmental issues]], as well as [[sustainable development]] challenges.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Building effective climate governance in Liberia – Liberia|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/liberia/building-effective-climate-governance-liberia|website=ReliefWeb|date=March 8, 2018|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803074644/https://reliefweb.int/report/liberia/building-effective-climate-governance-liberia|url-status=live}}</ref> Because of its location in Africa, it is vulnerable to [[extreme weather]], the coastal effects of [[sea level rise]], and changing water systems and water availability.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Climate Risk Profile: Liberia|url=https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/climate-change-risk-profile-liberia|website=Climatelinks|date=February 28, 2017|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803145708/https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/climate-change-risk-profile-liberia|url-status=live}}</ref> Climate change is expected to severely impact the [[economy of Liberia]], especially agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. Liberia has been an active participant in international and local policy changes related to climate change.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Blackmore|first=R.D.|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1084383140|title=Lorna Doone|publisher=Ryerson Press|isbn=0665265034|oclc=1084383140}}</ref> |
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=== Biodiversity and conservation === |
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{{Main|Wildlife of Liberia}} |
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{{Further|Environmental issues in Liberia}} |
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[[File:Liberia tropical forest.jpg|thumb|A Liberian tropical forest]] |
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[[File:Share_Of_Forest_Area_In_Total_Land_Area,_Top_Countries_(2021).svg|thumb|330x330px|Share of forest area in total land area, top countries (2021). Liberia has the ninth highest percentage of forest cover in the world.]] |
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[[Forest]]s on the coastline are composed mostly of salt-tolerant [[mangrove]] trees, while the more sparsely populated inland has forests opening onto a plateau of drier [[grassland]]s. The climate is [[Tropical rainforest climate|equatorial]], with significant [[rain]]fall during the May–October [[rainy season]] and harsh [[harmattan]] winds the remainder of the year. Liberia possesses about forty percent of the remaining [[Upper Guinean forest|Upper Guinean rainforest]]. It was an important producer of [[rubber]] in the early 20th century.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ghoshal |first=Animesh |title=Multinational Investment and the Development of an Export Industry: Rubber in Liberia |date=1982 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24328535 |journal=Transafrican Journal of History |volume=11 |pages=92–111 |jstor=24328535 |issn=0251-0391 |access-date=July 26, 2022 |archive-date=July 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726144431/https://www.jstor.org/stable/24328535 |url-status=live }}</ref> Four terrestrial ecoregions lie within Liberia's borders: [[Guinean montane forests]], [[Western Guinean lowland forests]], [[Guinean forest–savanna mosaic]], and [[Guinean mangroves]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|display-authors=1|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287|doi-access=free}}</ref> It had a 2019 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 4.79/10, ranking it 116th globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|display-authors=1|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity – Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G |doi-access=free}}</ref> |
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[[File:U.S.DOC(1965) Liberia. Money Trees.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.15|Loggers and logging truck, early 1960s]] |
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Liberia is a global [[biodiversity hotspot]]—a significant reservoir of [[biodiversity]] that is under threat from humans.<ref name="mmg">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29321143|title=Liberia in 'trees for cash' deal|first=Matt|last=McGrath|work=BBC News|date=September 23, 2014|access-date=July 29, 2018|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614181643/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29321143|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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[[File:Choeropsis.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|[[Pygmy hippo]]s are among the species illegally hunted for food in Liberia.<ref name="Anne Look"/> The [[World Conservation Union]] estimates that there are fewer than 3,000 pygmy hippos remaining in the wild.<ref name="Redlist">{{cite iucn |author=Ransom, C. |author2=Robinson, P.T. |author3=Collen, B. |date=2015 |title=''Choeropsis liberiensis'' |volume=2015 |page=e.T10032A18567171 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T10032A18567171.en |access-date=November 11, 2021}} Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of endangered.</ref>]] |
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Endangered species are hunted for human consumption as [[bushmeat]] in Liberia.<ref name="Anne Look"/> Species hunted for food in Liberia include [[elephant]]s, [[pygmy hippopotamus]], [[chimpanzee]]s, [[leopard]]s, [[duiker]]s, and other monkeys.<ref name="Anne Look"/> Bushmeat is often exported to neighboring Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast, despite a ban on the cross-border sale of wild animals.<ref name="Anne Look">Anne Look, [http://www.voanews.com/content/article/370590.html "Poaching in Liberia's Forests Threatens Rare Animals"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304205739/http://www.voanews.com/content/article/370590.html |date=March 4, 2016 }}, [[Voice of America]] News, May 8, 2012.</ref> |
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Bushmeat is widely eaten in Liberia, and is considered a delicacy.<ref name="Wynfred Russell"/> A 2004 public opinion survey found that bushmeat ranked second behind fish amongst residents of the capital Monrovia as a preferred source of protein.<ref name="Wynfred Russell"/> Of households where bushmeat was served, 80% of residents said they cooked it "once in a while," while 13% cooked it once a week and 7% cooked bushmeat daily.<ref name="Wynfred Russell"/> The survey was conducted during the last civil war, and bushmeat consumption is now believed to be far higher.<ref name="Wynfred Russell">Wynfred Russell, [http://www.frontpageafricaonline.com/index.php/op-ed/commentaries-features/380-extinction-is-forever-a-crisis-that-is-liberia-s-endangered-wildlife "Extinction is forever: A crisis that is Liberia's endangered wildlife"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191753/http://www.frontpageafricaonline.com/index.php/op-ed/commentaries-features/380-extinction-is-forever-a-crisis-that-is-liberia-s-endangered-wildlife |date=March 3, 2016 }}, [[Front Page Africa]], January 15, 2014.</ref> |
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''[[Trypanosoma brucei gambiense]]'' is [[endemism (epidemiology)|endemic]] in some animal hosts here including both [[domestic animal|domestic]] and [[wild animal|wild]].<ref name="Trypanosoma-brucei-gambiense" /> This causes the disease ''[[nagana]]''.<ref name="Trypanosoma-brucei-gambiense" /> In [[pig]]s here and in [[Ivory Coast]], that includes [[Trypanosoma brucei gambiense group 1|''Tbg'' group 1]]. ''Tbg'' and its vector ''[[Glossina palpalis gambiense]]'' are a constant presence in the rainforests here.<ref name="Trypanosoma-brucei-gambiense" /> Much research into ''Tbg'' was performed in the 1970s by Mehlitz and by Gibson, both working in [[Bong mine|Bong Mine]] with samples from around the country.<ref name="Trypanosoma-brucei-gambiense" /> The [[Pye-dog|West African pariah dog]] is also a host for ''Tbg''.<ref name="Trypanosoma-brucei-gambiense">{{cite journal | year=2019 | volume=6 | publisher=[[Elsevier]] | first1=D. | journal=[[Parasite Epidemiology and Control]] | issn=2405-6731 | last1=Mehlitz | last2=Molyneux | first2=D. H. | title=The elimination of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense? Challenges of reservoir hosts and transmission cycles: Expect the unexpected | doi=10.1016/j.parepi.2019.e00113 | page=e00113| pmid=31528738 | pmc=6742776 }}</ref> |
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The Desert Locust (''[[Schistocerca gregaria]]'') is a constant presence here.<ref name="Bulletin-2021">{{cite web | year=2021 | location=[[Rome]] | publisher=UN FAO (United Nations [[Food and Agriculture Organization]]) | url=https://www.fao.org/ag/locusts/common/ecg/1914/en/DL516e.pdf | author=[[Desert Locust Information Service]] | title=Desert Locust Bulletin – General situation during September 2021 – Forecast until mid-November 2021 | access-date=September 13, 2022 | archive-date=October 15, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015065215/https://www.fao.org/ag/locusts/common/ecg/1914/en/DL516e.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref> |
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The Hairy Slit-Faced Bat (''[[Nycteris hispida]]'') suffers from [[malaria]] here.<ref name="Manwell">{{cite journal | publisher=[[Society for Epidemiologic Research]] & [[Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins]] ([[Oxford University Press]]) | journal=[[American Journal of Epidemiology]] | last=Manwell | first=Reginald D. | volume=43 | issue=1 | date=January 1946 | issn=1476-6256 | doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a119047 | pages=1–12 | title=Bat Malaria| pmid=21011556 }}</ref> |
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[[Slash-and-burn]] agriculture is one of the human activities eroding Liberia's natural forests.<ref name="Restoring the Battered">[http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=384&ArticleID=4411& "Restoring the Battered and Broken Environment of Liberia One of the Keys to a New and Sustainable Future"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20141108111326/http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=384&ArticleID=4411& |date=November 8, 2014 }}, [[United Nations Environment Program]], February 13, 2014.</ref> A 2004 UN report estimated that 99% of Liberians burned charcoal and fuel wood for cooking and heating, resulting in [[deforestation]].<ref name="Restoring the Battered"/> |
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[[Illegal logging]] has increased in Liberia since the end of the [[Second Liberian Civil War|Second Civil War in 2003]].<ref name="mmg"/> In 2012, President Sirleaf granted licenses to companies to cut down 58% of all the primary rainforest left in Liberia.<ref name="mmg"/> After international protests, many of those logging permits were canceled.<ref name="mmg"/> In September 2014, Liberia and Norway struck an agreement whereby Liberia ceased all logging in exchange for $150 million in development aid.<ref name="mmg"/> |
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Pollution is a significant issue in [[Monrovia]].<ref name="obs">{{Cite web|url=http://www.liberianobserver.com/environment/monrovia’s-‘never-ending’-pollution-issues-2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226052254/http://www.liberianobserver.com/environment/monrovia%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98never-ending%E2%80%99-pollution-issues-2013|url-status=dead|title=Monrovia's 'Never-Ending' Pollution Issues In 2013, Edwin M. Fayia III, ''The Liberian Observer'', December 30, 2014|archive-date=December 26, 2016|access-date=September 1, 2019}}</ref> Since 2006, the international community has paid for all garbage collection and disposal in Monrovia via the [[World Bank]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTABOUTUS/IDA/0,,contentMDK:22301640~menuPK:4754051~pagePK:51236175~piPK:437394~theSitePK:73154,00.html|title=IDA – Liberia: Digging Out Monrovia from the Waste of War|website=web.worldbank.org|access-date=November 8, 2014|archive-date=October 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031061051/http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTABOUTUS/IDA/0,,contentMDK:22301640~menuPK:4754051~pagePK:51236175~piPK:437394~theSitePK:73154,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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=== Administrative divisions === |
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{{main|Administrative divisions of Liberia}} |
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{{Counties of Liberia Image Map}} |
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[[File:Bomi lake.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|A view of a lake in [[Bomi County]]]] |
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Liberia is divided into fifteen [[Counties of Liberia|counties]], which, in turn, are subdivided into a total of 90 [[district]]s and further subdivided into ''clans''. The oldest counties are Grand Bassa and Montserrado, both founded in 1839 prior to Liberian independence. Gbarpolu is the newest county, created in 2001. Nimba is the largest of the counties in size at {{convert|11551|km2|abbr=on}}, while Montserrado is the smallest at {{convert|737.069|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="census2008"/> Montserrado is also the most populous county with 1,144,806 residents as of the 2008 census.<ref name="census2008"/> |
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The fifteen counties are administered by superintendents appointed by the president. The Constitution calls for the election of various [[Tribal chief|chiefs]] at the county and local level, but these elections have not taken place since 1985 due to war and financial constraints.<ref name=polls>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7187906.stm |title=Liberia cannot afford local polls |newspaper=BBC News |date=January 14, 2008 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=July 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701105140/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7187906.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Parallel to the administrative divisions of the country are the local and municipal divisions. Liberia currently does not have any constitutional framework or uniform statutes which deal with the creation or revocation of local governments.<ref name="GCL">{{cite web |last1=Kieh, Jr. |first1=George Klay |title=The Model City Statute for the Liberian City |url=http://governancecommissionlr.org/pg_img/THE_STATUTE_FOR_THE_MODEL_LIBERIAN_CITY[1].pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412091817/http://governancecommissionlr.org/pg_img/THE_STATUTE_FOR_THE_MODEL_LIBERIAN_CITY%5b1%5d.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |website=Governance Commission of Liberia |publisher=Governance Commission of the Republic of Liberia |access-date=July 20, 2018 }}</ref> All existing local governments—cities, townships, and a borough—were created by specific acts of the Liberian government, and thus the structure and duties/responsibilities of each local government vary greatly from one to the other.<ref>{{cite web |title=Simplified Version of LGM 2018 |url=https://naymote.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Simplified-Version-of-LGA-2018-.pdf |access-date=11 June 2024}}</ref> |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" |
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! Map # |
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! County |
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! Capital |
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! Population<br>(2022 Census)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Liberia: Counties, Major Cities, Towns & Urban Areas - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/liberia/ |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=www.citypopulation.de |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119102116/https://www.citypopulation.de/en/liberia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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! Area<br>(mi<sup>2</sup>)<ref name="census2008">{{cite web |year=2008 |title=2008 National Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Results |url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/census_2008provisionalresults.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213110308/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/census_2008provisionalresults.pdf |archive-date=February 13, 2012 |access-date=October 14, 2008 |publisher=Government of the Republic of Liberia}}</ref> |
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! Number of<br>districts |
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! Date<br>created |
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|- |
|- |
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| |
|align="center"| 1 |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Bomi County.svg}} [[Bomi County|Bomi]] |
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{| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" |
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| |
|align="center"|[[Tubmanburg]] |
||
| |
|align="center"|133,668 |
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|align="center"|{{convert|749|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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|align="center"|4 |
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|align="center"|1984 |
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|- |
|- |
||
| |
|align="center"| 2 |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Bong County.svg}} [[Bong County|Bong]] |
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| align="center" width="140px" | ([[COA of Liberia|In Detail]]) |
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|align="center"|[[Gbarnga]] |
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|} |
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|align="center"|467,502 |
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|align="center"|{{convert|3386|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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|align="center"|12 |
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|align="center"|1964 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align="center"| 3 |
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| align=center style="vertical-align: top;" colspan=2 | <small>''[[National motto]]: The love of liberty brought us here''</small> |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Gbarpolu County.svg}} [[Gbarpolu County|Gbarpolu]] |
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|align="center"|[[Bopolu]] |
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|align="center"|95,995 |
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|align="center"|{{convert|3740|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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|align="center"|6 |
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|align="center"|2001 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align="center"| 4 |
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| align=center colspan=2 style="background: #ffffff;" | [[image:LocationLiberia.png]] |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Grand Bassa County.svg}} [[Grand Bassa County|Grand Bassa]] |
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|align="center"|[[Buchanan, Liberia|Buchanan]] |
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|align="center"|293,557 |
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|align="center"|{{convert|3064|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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|align="center"|8 |
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|align="center"|1839 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align="center"| 5 |
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| '''[[Official language]]''' |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Grand Cape Mount County.svg}} [[Grand Cape Mount County|Grand Cape Mount]] |
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| [[English language|English]] |
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|align="center"|[[Robertsport]] |
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|align="center"|178,798 |
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|align="center"|{{convert|1993|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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|align="center"|5 |
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|align="center"|1844 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align="center"| 6 |
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| '''[[Capital]]''' |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Grand Gedeh County.svg}} [[Grand Gedeh County|Grand Gedeh]] |
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| [[Monrovia, Liberia|Monrovia]] |
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|align="center"|[[Zwedru]] |
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|align="center"|216,692 |
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|align="center"|{{convert|4047|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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|align="center"|3 |
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|align="center"|1964 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align="center"| 7 |
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| '''[[President of Liberia|President]]''' |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Grand Kru County.svg}} [[Grand Kru County|Grand Kru]] |
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| [[Gyude Bryant]] |
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|align="center"|[[Barclayville]] |
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|align="center"|109,342 |
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|align="center"|{{convert|1503|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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|align="center"|18 |
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|align="center"|1984 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align="center"| 8 |
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| '''[[Area]]'''<br> - Total <br> - % water |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Lofa County.svg}} [[Lofa County|Lofa]] |
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| [[List of countries by area|Ranked 101st]] <br> [[1 E11 m²|111,370 km²]] <br> 1% |
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|align="center"|[[Voinjama]] |
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|align="center"|367,376 |
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|align="center"|{{convert|3854|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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|align="center"|6 |
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|align="center"|1964 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align="center"| 9 |
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| '''[[Population]]''' |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Margibi County.svg}} [[Margibi County|Margibi]] |
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<br> - Total |
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|align="center"|[[Kakata]] |
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<br> - [[Population density|Density]] |
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|align="center"|304,946 |
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| [[List of countries by population|Ranked 129th]] |
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|align="center"|{{convert|1010|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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<br> 3,317,176 ([[2003]]) |
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|align="center"|4 |
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<br> 26.3/km² |
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|align="center"|1985 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align="center"|10 |
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| '''[[Independence]]''' |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Maryland County.svg}} [[Maryland County|Maryland]] |
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| [[July 26]], [[1847]] |
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|align="center"|[[Harper, Liberia|Harper]] |
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|align="center"|172,202 |
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|align="center"|{{convert|886|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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|align="center"|2 |
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|align="center"|1857 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align="center"|11 |
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| '''[[Currency]]''' |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Montserrado County.svg}} [[Montserrado County|Montserrado]] |
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| [[Liberian dollar]] ([[United States dollar]] also in common use) |
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|align="center"|[[Bensonville]] |
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|align="center"|1,920,914 |
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|align="center"|{{convert|737|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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|align="center"|17 |
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|align="center"|1839 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align="center"|12 |
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| '''[[Time zone]]''' |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Nimba County.svg}} [[Nimba County|Nimba]] |
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| [[UTC]] |
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|align="center"|[[Sanniquellie]] |
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|align="center"|621,841 |
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|align="center"|{{convert|4459|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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|align="center"|6 |
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|align="center"|1964 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align="center"|13 |
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| '''[[National anthem]]''' |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Rivercess County.svg}} [[Rivercess County|Rivercess]] |
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| [[All Hail, Liberia, Hail!]] |
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|align="center"|[[River Cess]] |
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|align="center"|90,777 |
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|align="center"|{{convert|2,159|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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|align="center"|7 |
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|align="center"|1985 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align="center"|14 |
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| '''[[Top-level domain|Internet TLD]]''' |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of River Gee County.svg}} [[River Gee County|River Gee]] |
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| [[.lr]] |
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|align="center"|[[Fish Town]] |
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|align="center"|124,653 |
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|align="center"|{{convert|1974|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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|align="center"|6 |
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|align="center"|2000 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align="center"|15 |
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| '''[[List of country calling codes|Calling Code]]''' |
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|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Sinoe County.svg}} [[Sinoe County|Sinoe]] |
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| 231 |
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|align="center"|[[Greenville, Liberia|Greenville]] |
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|align="center"|150,358 |
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|align="center"|{{convert|3913|mi2|abbr=on}} |
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|align="center"|17 |
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|align="center"|1843 |
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|} |
|} |
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==History== |
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''Main article: [[History of Liberia]]'' |
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===Settlers from America=== |
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The history of Liberia as a political entity begins with the arrival of the [[African American|black American]] settlers — the [[Americo-Liberian]]s, as they were to be known — who established a colony of “free men of color” on its shore in [[1822]] under the auspices of the [[American Colonization Society]]. The historical roots from which a majority present-day Liberians derive their identity, however, are found in the varied traditions of the several tribal groups of indigenous Africans whom the settlers confronted in their struggle to gain a foothold in Africa and, later, extend their control into the interior. this is teh false |
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== Government and politics == |
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On [[July 26]], [[1847]], the Americo-Liberians declared the independence of the Republic of Liberia. The settlers regarded the continent from which their forefathers had been taken as slaves as a “Promised Land,” but they did not intend to become reintegrated into an African society. They referred to themselves as “Americans” and recognized as such by tribal Africans and by British colonial authorities in neighboring [[Sierra Leone]]. The symbols of their state — its flag, motto, and seal — and the form of government that they chose reflected their American background and immigrant experience. The social customs and cultural standards of the Americo-Liberians had their archetypes in the antebellum [[American South]]. These ideals strongly colored the attitudes of the settlers toward the indigenous African people. The new nation, as they conceived of it, was coextensive with the settler community and with those Africans who were assimilated into it. A recurrent theme in the country’s subsequent history, therefore, was the usually successful attempt of the Americo-Liberian minority to dominate people whom they considered “uncivilized” and inferior. They named the land "Liberia," which in European langauges and Latin means "Land of the Free" |
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{{main|Politics of Liberia}} |
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[[File:Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf3.jpg|thumb|Former President [[Ellen Johnson Sirleaf]]]] |
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The government of Liberia, modeled on the [[government of the United States]], is a [[Unitary state|unitary]] constitutional republic and [[representative democracy]] as established by the [[Constitution of Liberia|Constitution]]. The government has three co-equal branches of government: the [[Executive (government)|executive]], headed by the [[President of Liberia|president]]; the [[legislative]], consisting of the [[bicameral]] [[Legislature of Liberia]]; and the [[judicial]], consisting of the [[Supreme Court of Liberia|Supreme Court]] and several [[lower court]]s.<ref name="CIA"/> |
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The president serves as [[head of government]], [[head of state]], and the [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Armed Forces of Liberia]].<ref name="CIA"/> Among the president's other duties are to sign or veto [[legislative bill]]s, grant [[pardon]]s, and appoint [[Cabinet of Liberia|Cabinet]] members, judges, and other public officials. Together with the [[Vice President of Liberia|vice president]], the president is elected to a six-year term by [[majority vote]] in a [[two-round system]] and can serve up to two terms in office.<ref name="CIA"/> |
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The founding of Liberia was privately sponsored by American religious and philanthropic groups, but the colony enjoyed the support and unofficial cooperation of the [[United States]] government. Liberia’s government, modeled after that of the United States, was democratic in structure, if not always in substance. After 1877 the [[True Whig Party]] monopolized political power in the country, and competition for office was usually contained within the party, whose nomination virtually ensured election. Two problems confronting successive administrations were pressure from neighboring colonial powers, [[Britain]] and [[France]], and the threat of financial insolvency, both of which challenged the country’s sovereignty. Liberia retained its independence but lost its claim to extensive territories that were annexed by Britain and France. Economic development was retarded by the decline of markets for Liberian goods in the late nineteenth century and by indebtedness on a series of loans, payments on which drained the economy. |
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The Legislature is composed of the [[Senate of Liberia|Senate]] and the [[House of Representatives of Liberia|House of Representatives]]. The House, led by a [[speaker (politics)|speaker]], has 73 members [[Apportionment (politics)|apportioned]] among the 15 counties on the basis of the national [[census]], with each county receiving a minimum of two members.<ref name="CIA"/> Each House member represents an [[electoral district]] within a county as drawn by the [[National Election Commission (Liberia)|National Elections Commission]] and is elected by a [[plurality voting|plurality]] of the popular vote of their district into a six-year term. The Senate is made up of two senators from each county for a total of 30 senators.<ref name="CIA"/> Senators serve nine-year terms and are elected [[at-large]] by a plurality of the popular vote.<ref name="CIA"/> The vice president serves as the [[President of the Senate]], with a [[President pro tempore]] serving in their absence.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.onliberia.org/con_1984_3.htm#chvi | title=Constitution of Liberia | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904154117/http://www.onliberia.org/con_1984_3.htm#chvi | access-date=July 26, 2021| archive-date=September 4, 2017 }}</ref> |
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===Significant mid-20th-century events=== |
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Two events were of particular importance in releasing Liberia from its self-imposed isolation. The first was the grant in 1926 of a large concession to the American-owned Firestone Plantation Company; that move became a first step in the modernization of the Liberian economy. The second occurred during [[World War II]], when the United States began providing technical and economic assistance that enabled Liberia to make economic progress and introduce social change. |
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Liberia's highest judicial authority is the Supreme Court, made up of five members and headed by the [[Chief Justice of Liberia]]. Members are nominated to the court by the president and are confirmed by the Senate, serving until the age of 70. The judiciary is further divided into [[Circuit court|circuit]] and [[Limited jurisdiction|speciality courts]], [[magistrate]] courts, and [[Justice of the Peace|justices of the peace]].<ref name=state>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6618.htm |title=Background Note: Liberia |work=Bureau of African Affairs |publisher=United States Department of State |date=March 8, 2011 |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=January 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122194454/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6618.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The judicial system is a blend of [[common law]], based on Anglo-American law, and customary law.<ref name="CIA"/> An informal system of traditional courts still exists within the rural areas of the country, with [[trial by ordeal]] remaining common despite being officially outlawed.<ref name=state/> |
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In 1944 Liberian president [[William Tubman]] introduced the Unification Policy to bring tribal Africans into the mainstream of Liberian political life. The Open Door Policy, which he announced in his inaugural address that year, invited large scale foreign investment that further aided the transforming the economy. Liberia was relatively well-developed economically, at least compared to other African nations, but wide disparities in the distribution of income and public service were continuing sources of unrest. Despite the strides made during Tubman’s administration, his successor, [[William Tolbert]], was unable to satisfy rising economic expectations and demands for greater participation in political decision-making by the indigenous majority. Opposition to the Americo-Liberian elite mounted, and dissatisfaction was expressed at every level over the corruption associated with the Tolbert administration. |
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From 1877 to 1980, the government was dominated by the [[True Whig Party]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Dash |first1=Leon |last2=Services |first2=Washington Post Foreign |date=1980-02-28 |title=Liberian Elite Facing Rare Political Test |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1980/02/28/liberian-elite-facing-rare-political-test/0df96b47-f0ef-45de-a235-5b789ce06d15/ |access-date=2023-06-22 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213174304/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1980/02/28/liberian-elite-facing-rare-political-test/0df96b47-f0ef-45de-a235-5b789ce06d15/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Today, over 20 political parties are registered in the country, based largely around personalities and ethnic groups.<ref name=freedom/> Most parties suffer from poor organizational capacity.<ref name=freedom/> The 2005 elections marked the first time that the president's party did not gain a majority of seats in the Legislature.<ref name=freedom/> According to 2023 [[V-Dem Democracy indices]] Liberia is ranked 65th electoral democracy worldwide and 9th [[democracy in Africa|electoral democracy in Africa]].<ref name="vdem_dataset">{{cite web |last=V-Dem Institute |date=2023 |title=The V-Dem Dataset |url=https://www.v-dem.net/data/the-v-dem-dataset/ |access-date=14 October 2023 |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208183458/https://www.v-dem.net/data/the-v-dem-dataset/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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===1980 coup under Doe=== |
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On [[12 April]] [[1980]], a successful military coup was staged by a group of noncommissioned officers of tribal origins led by Master Sergeant [[Samuel Kanyon Doe]], and they executed the President of nine years [[William R. Tolbert, Jr.]] in his mansion. Constituting themselves the People’s Redemption Council, Doe and his associates seized control of the government and brought an end to Liberia’s "first republic". |
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=== Military === |
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Doe made strong ties with the [[United States]] in the early [[1980s]], receiving more than $500 million for pushing out the [[Soviet Union]] from the country, and allowing exclusive rights for the US to use Liberia's ports and land (including allowing the CIA to use Liberian territory to spy on [[Libya]]). |
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{{Main|Armed Forces of Liberia}} |
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The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) have 2,010 active personnel as of 2023, with most of them organized into the [[23rd Infantry Brigade (Liberia)|23rd Infantry Brigade]], consisting of two infantry battalions, one engineer company, and one military police company. There is also a small [[Liberian National Coast Guard|National Coast Guard]] with 60 personnel and several patrol ships.<ref name="iiss2023">{{Cite book |author=IISS |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |date=2023 |title=The Military Balance 2023 |publisher=International Institute for Strategic Studies |pages=460–461 }}</ref> The AFL used to have an Air Wing, but all of its aircraft and facilities have been out of operation since the civil wars. It is in the process of reactivating its Air Wing with help from the [[Nigerian Air Force]].<ref>{{Cite web |author=Worzi, Alvin |date=26 November 2022 |title=Nigeria helping to revive Liberia's moribund air force wing |work=Nigeriabroad.com |url=https://nigeriabroad.com/nigeria-helping-to-revive-liberia-s-moribund-air-force-wing |access-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217031016/https://nigeriabroad.com/nigeria-helping-to-revive-liberia-s-moribund-air-force-wing |url-status=dead }}</ref> Liberia has deployed peacekeepers to other countries since 2013 as part of UN or ECOWAS missions, with the largest being an infantry unit in Mali, and smaller numbers of personnel in Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, and South Sudan. About 800 of the AFL's 2,000 personnel have been deployed to Mali in several rotations before the UN mission there ended in December 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Layton, Andrew |title=U.S. officials celebrate Armed Forces of Liberia accomplishments at MINUSMA conclusion ceremony |work=[[Defense Visual Information Distribution Service]] |date=21 December 2023 |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/460572/us-officials-celebrate-armed-forces-liberia-accomplishments-minusma-conclusion-ceremony |access-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217031016/https://www.dvidshub.net/news/460572/us-officials-celebrate-armed-forces-liberia-accomplishments-minusma-conclusion-ceremony |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022 the country had a military budget of US$18.7 million.<ref name="iiss2023" /> |
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The old military was disbanded after the civil wars and entirely rebuilt, starting in 2005, with assistance and funding from the United States. The military assistance program, which became known as Operation Onward Liberty in 2010, provided training with the goal of making the AFL into an apolitical and professional military. The operation ended in 2016, though the [[Michigan National Guard]] still continues to work with the AFL as part of the U.S. National Guard's State Partnership Program.<ref>{{cite web |author=MacDougall, Clair |title=Too small to succeed? Liberia's new army comes of age |work=Al Jazeera |date=4 March 2014 |url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/3/4/too-small-to-succeedliberiasnewarmycomesofage.html |access-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226043259/http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/3/4/too-small-to-succeedliberiasnewarmycomesofage.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Rankin, Denice |date=26 October 2015 |title=Michigan National Guard continues mentor mission to Liberian armed forces |work=U.S. National Guard |url=https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Overseas-Operations/Article/625843/michigan-national-guard-continues-mentor-mission-to-liberian-armed-forces/ |access-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217031021/https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Overseas-Operations/Article/625843/michigan-national-guard-continues-mentor-mission-to-liberian-armed-forces/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |work=U.S. Embassy in Liberia |title=Ambassador McCarthy, Adjutant General Rogers Lead Press Roundtable |date=8 February 2022 |url=https://lr.usembassy.gov/ambassador-mccarthy-adjutant-general-rogers-lead-press-roundtable/ }}</ref> |
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Doe continued his [[authoritarian]] policies, banning newspapers, outlawing opposition parties and holding staged elections. |
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Liberia is the 69th most peaceful country in the world, according to the 2024 [[Global Peace Index]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Global Peace Index |url=https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GPI-2024-web.pdf}}</ref> |
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===1989 and 1999 civil wars=== |
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In late [[1989]], a [[Liberian Civil War|civil war]] began, and in [[September 1990]] Doe was ousted and killed by the forces of faction leader [[Yormie Johnson]] and members of the [[Gio]] tribe. The war ended in [[1996]], and a prominent warlord, [[Charles Taylor]], was elected as President in 1997. Taylor's brutal regime targeted several leading opposition and political activists. In 1998, the government sought to assasinate child rights activist Kimmie Weeks for a report he had published on its involvement in the training of child soldiers. Taylor's autocratic and dysfunctional government led to a new rebellion in [[1999]]. More than 200,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the civil wars. The conflict intensified in mid-[[2003]], when the fighting moved closer to [[Monrovia]]. As the power of the government shrank and with increasing international and American pressure for him to resign, President Charles Taylor accepted an asylum offer by [[Nigeria]], but vowed: "God willing, I will be back." |
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=== Foreign relations === |
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==Politics== |
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[[File:Secretary Kerry Listens as Liberian President Sirleaf Addresses the Post-2015 Development Panel Discussion in New York City (21582539498).jpg|left|thumb|President Sirleaf with (left to right) British Prime Minister [[David Cameron]], Colombian President [[Juan Manuel Santos]], and [[United States Secretary of State]] [[John Kerry]] in September 2015]] |
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''Main article: [[Politics of Liberia]]'' |
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In 1998 Kimmie Weeks was forced into exile. |
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{{Further|Foreign relations of Liberia}} |
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The Americo-Liberians had little in common with the tribal communities living inland. One of these tribes were the [[Krahn]], to which [[Samuel Doe]] belonged. That was partly the reason for the [[1980]] coup. |
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After the turmoil following the [[First Liberian Civil War|First]] and [[Second Liberian Civil War]]s, Liberia's internal stabilization in the 21st century brought a return to cordial relations with neighboring countries and much of the Western world. As in other African countries, China is an important part of the post-conflict reconstruction.<ref>{{Cite book |title=China and Africa |last=Moumouni |first=Guillaume |year=2018 |isbn=978-3319528939 |editor-last=Alden |editor-first=C. |pages=225–251 |chapter=China and Liberia: Engagement in a Post-Conflict Country (2003–2013) |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-52893-9_12 |editor-last2=Alao |editor-first2=A. |editor-last3=Chun |editor-first3=Z. |editor-last4=Barber |editor-first4=L.}}</ref> |
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In the past, both of Liberia's neighbors, [[Guinea]] and [[Sierra Leone]], have accused Liberia of backing rebels in their countries.<ref name="hrw"/> |
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The country is currently governed by a transitional government in preparation for [[Liberia elections, 2005|elections]] that are due in [[October 2005]]. |
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=== Law enforcement and crime === |
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''See also:'' [[List of Presidents of Liberia]] |
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{{further|Crime in Liberia}} |
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The [[Liberian National Police]] is the country's national [[police]] force. As of October 2007 it has 844 officers in 33 stations in [[Montserrado County]], which contains [[Monrovia]].<ref name="cdaMontserrado">{{cite news|url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/MontserradoCDA.pdf|title=Montserrado County Development Agenda|date=2008|publisher=Republic of Liberia|access-date=October 14, 2008|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102070138/https://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/MontserradoCDA.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The National Police Training Academy is in [[Paynesville, Liberia|Paynesville City]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Nine officials commissioned|date=October 11, 2008|work=The Analyst}}</ref> A history of corruption among police officers diminishes public trust and operational effectiveness. The internal security is characterized by a general lawlessness coupled with the danger that former combatants in the late civil war might reestablish militias to challenge the civil authorities.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Crane |first1=Keith |last2=Gompert |first2=David C |last3=Oliker |first3=Olga |last4=Riley |first4=Kevin Jack |last5=Lawson |first5=Brooke Stearns |date=2007 |title=Making Liberia safe: transformation of the national security sector |location=Santa Monica, California |publisher=Rand |pages=9–11 |isbn=978-0833040084 |url=https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG529.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014212925/https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG529.html |archive-date=October 14, 2018 |access-date=October 2, 2024}}</ref> |
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[[Rape]] and [[sexual assault]] are frequent in the post-conflict era in Liberia. Liberia has one of the highest incidences of sexual violence against women in the world. Rape is the most frequently reported crime, accounting for more than one-third of [[sexual violence]] cases. Adolescent girls are the most frequently assaulted, and almost 40% of perpetrators are adult men known to victims.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Nicola |last1=Jones |first2=Janice |last2=Cooper |first3=Elizabeth |last3=Presler-Marshall |first4=David |last4=Walker |date=June 2014 |title=The fallout of rape as a weapon of war |work=ODI |url=http://www.odi.org/publications/8464-rape-weapon-war-liberia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928083046/http://www.odi.org/publications/8464-rape-weapon-war-liberia |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |access-date=October 2, 2024}}</ref> |
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== Counties == |
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''Main article: [[Counties of Liberia]]'' |
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Both male and female homosexuality are [[LGBT rights in Liberia|illegal in Liberia]].<ref>{{cite web|title=State Sponsored Homophobia 2016: A world survey of sexual orientation laws: criminalisation, protection and recognition|url=http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf|work=[[International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association]]|date=May 17, 2016|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902183618/http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Daniel |last=Avery |title=71 Countries Where Homosexuality is Illegal |url=https://www.newsweek.com/73-countries-where-its-illegal-be-gay-1385974 |work=Newsweek |date=April 4, 2019 |access-date=August 17, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211204842/https://www.newsweek.com/73-countries-where-its-illegal-be-gay-1385974 |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 20, 2012, the Liberian senate voted unanimously to enact legislation to prohibit and criminalize [[same-sex marriage]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liberianobserver.com/index.php/news/item/1976-senate-passes-%E2%80%98no-same-sex-marriage%E2%80%99-bill|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805070510/http://www.liberianobserver.com/index.php/news/item/1976-senate-passes-%E2%80%98no-same-sex-marriage%E2%80%99-bill|url-status=dead|title="Senate Passes 'No Same Sex Marriage' Bill |work=Daily Observer |last=Carter |first=J. Burgess |date=21 July 2012|archive-date=August 5, 2012|access-date=September 1, 2019}}</ref> |
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Liberia is divided into 15 [[counties]]: |
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=== Corruption === |
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*[[Bomi County]] |
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{{Further|Corruption in Liberia}} |
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*[[Bong County]] |
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*[[Gbarpolu County]] |
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*[[Grand Bassa County]] |
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*[[Grand Cape Moun County]] |
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*[[Grand Gedeh County]] |
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*[[Grand Kru County]] |
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*[[Lofa County]] |
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*[[Margibi County]] |
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*[[Maryland County, Liberia|Maryland County]] |
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*[[Montserrado County]] |
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*[[Nimba County]] |
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*[[River Cess County]] |
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*[[River Gee County]] |
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*[[Sinoe County]] |
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Corruption is endemic at every level of the Liberian government.<ref name="2010 Human Rights Report: Liberia">{{cite web|title=2010 Human Rights Report: Liberia|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154354.htm|work=US Department of State|access-date=January 10, 2013|archive-date=June 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628133946/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154354.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> When President Sirleaf took office in 2006, she announced that corruption was "the major public enemy."<ref name="hrw">[https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/08/22/liberia-police-corruption-harms-rights-progress "Liberia: Police Corruption Harms Rights, Progress"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308105127/https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/08/22/liberia-police-corruption-harms-rights-progress |date=March 8, 2021 }}, Human Rights Watch, August 22, 2013.</ref> In 2014, the US ambassador to Liberia said that corruption there was harming people through "unnecessary costs to products and services that are already difficult for many Liberians to afford".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201402211033.html|title="Liberia: Corruption Is Liberia's Problem, US Ambassador to Liberia Alarms", Al-Varney Rogers, allAfrica, 21 February 2014.|work=allAfrica.com|access-date=October 17, 2014|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923073223/http://allafrica.com/stories/201402211033.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==Geography== |
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[[Image:Li-map.png|thumb|300px|Map of Liberia]] |
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''Main article: [[Geography of Liberia]]'' |
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Liberia scored a 3.3 on a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt) on the 2010 [[Corruption Perceptions Index]]. This gave it a ranking 87th of 178 countries worldwide and 11th of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020153842/http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 20, 2010 |title=2010 Corruption Perceptions Index |work=Transparency International |date=October 26, 2010 |access-date=July 22, 2011 }}</ref> This score represented a significant improvement since 2007, when the country scored 2.1 and ranked 150th of 180 countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2007 |title=Corruption Perceptions Index 2007 |work=Transparency International |year=2007 |access-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-date=April 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428203145/http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> When dealing with public-facing government functionaries, 89% of Liberians say they have had to pay a bribe, the highest national percentage in the world according to the organization's 2010 Global Corruption Barometer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/gcb/2010/results|title=Global Corruption Barometer 2010|work=Transparency International|date=December 9, 2010|access-date=July 22, 2011|archive-date=April 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418031133/http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/gcb/2010/results|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Liberia is situated in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean. The landscape is characterised by mostly flat to rolling coastal plains, which rise to rolling plateau and low mountains in the northeast. The climate is tropical: hot and humid. Winters are dry with hot days and cool to cold nights. Summers are wet and cloudy with frequent heavy showers. |
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{{clear left}} |
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See: [http://www.vdiest.nl/Africa/liberia.htm liberia] |
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== Economy == |
== Economy == |
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{{main|Economy of Liberia}} |
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[[File:Liberia Product Exports (2019).svg|thumb|upright=1.35|A proportional representation of Liberian exports. The shipping related categories reflect Liberia's status as an international [[flag of convenience]]—there are 3,500 vessels registered under Liberia's flag accounting for 11% of ships worldwide.<ref name="Schoenurl">{{cite web |first=John W.|last=Schoenurl|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3072983|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020124056/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3072983|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 20, 2020|title=Liberian shipping draws scrutiny|work=NBC News|date=August 11, 2003}}</ref><ref name="About the Liberian Registry">{{cite web |url=http://www.liscr.com/liscr/AboutUs/AboutLiberianRegistry/tabid/206/Default.aspx |title=About the Liberian Registry |publisher=Liberian Registry |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110180209/http://www.liscr.com/liscr/AboutUs/AboutLiberianRegistry/tabid/206/Default.aspx |archive-date=November 10, 2014 }}</ref>]] |
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[[File:Liberia, Trends in the Human Development Index 1970-2010.png|thumb|upright=1.35|Liberia, trends in the [[Human Development Index]] 1970–2010.]] |
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[[File:GDP per capita development of Liberia.png|thumb|Real GDP per capita development, since 1950]] |
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The [[Central Bank of Liberia]] is responsible for printing and maintaining the [[Liberian dollar]], Liberia's primary [[currency]] (the [[United States dollar]] is also [[legal tender]] in Liberia).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Currency |url=https://cbl.org.lr/general/currency |website=Central Bank of Liberia |access-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115023814/https://cbl.org.lr/general/currency |url-status=live }}</ref> Liberia is one of the world's poorest countries, with a [[formal employment]] rate of 15%.<ref name=state/> GDP per capita peaked in 1980 at US$496, (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US|value=496|start_year=1980}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) when it was comparable to Egypt's (at the time).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD/countries/LR-EG?display=graph |title=GDP per capita (current US$) |Data |Graph |publisher=Data.worldbank.org |access-date=March 26, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094021/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD/countries/LR-EG?display=graph |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, the country's [[nominal GDP]] was US$1.154 billion, while nominal GDP per capita stood at US$297, the third-lowest in the world.<ref name=IMF_GDP>{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2016/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=98&pr.y=20&sy=2014&ey=2021&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=668&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a= |title=Liberia |publisher=International Monetary Fund |access-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614180150/https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2016/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=98&pr.y=20&sy=2014&ey=2021&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=668&s=NGDPD,NGDPDPC,PPPGDP,PPPPC&grp=0&a= |url-status=live }}</ref> Historically the Liberian economy has depended heavily on [[foreign aid]], [[foreign direct investment]] and exports of natural resources such as [[iron ore]], [[rubber]], and [[timber]].<ref name="eowg"/> |
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=== Trends === |
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The Liberian economy depended heavily on the export of [[iron ore]]. Before 1990 Liberia also exported rubber. The long civil war has destroyed much of the country's infrastructure, and Liberia is dependent on foreign [[aid]]. The country currently has an approximate 85% unemployment rate. |
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Following a peak in growth in 1979, the Liberian economy began a steady decline due to economic mismanagement after the 1980 coup.<ref name=challenges>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201106140356.html|title=The Challenges of Post-War Reconstruction{{snd}}the Liberian Experience|work=Government of Liberia|publisher=allAfrica.com|date=June 13, 2011|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=October 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019094038/http://allafrica.com/stories/201106140356.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This decline was accelerated by the outbreak of civil war in 1989; GDP was reduced by an estimated 90% between 1989 and 1995, one of the fastest declines in modern history.<ref name=challenges/> Upon the end of the war in 2003, GDP growth began to accelerate, reaching 9.4% in 2007.<ref name=imf>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2011/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=41&pr.y=12&sy=2000&ey=2016&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=668&s=NGDP_RPCH%2CPCPIPCH&grp=0&a=|title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects: Liberia|work=International Monetary Fund|date=June 20, 2011|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=February 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211213732/http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2011/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=41&pr.y=12&sy=2000&ey=2016&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=668&s=NGDP_RPCH%2CPCPIPCH&grp=0&a=|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, during the [[Great Recession]] GDP growth slowed to 4.6%,<ref name=imf/> though a strengthening agricultural sector led by rubber and timber exports increased growth to 5.1% in 2010 and an expected 7.3% in 2011, making the economy one of the 20 fastest-growing in the world.<ref name=consultation>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2010/cr10373.pdf|title=IMF Country Report No. 10/37|work=International Monetary Fund|year=2010|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614180151/https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2010/cr10373.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="agi">{{cite web|url=http://www.africagovernance.org/article/liberian-president-government-and-people-are-partners-progress|title=Liberian President: Government and People are Partners in Progress|date=January 27, 2011|work=Africa Governance Initiative|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220103119/http://www.africagovernance.org/article/liberian-president-government-and-people-are-partners-progress|archive-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref> |
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Current impediments to growth include a small [[domestic market]], lack of adequate infrastructure, high transportation costs, poor trade links with neighboring countries, and the high [[dollarization]] of the economy.<ref name=consultation/> Liberia used the [[United States dollar]] as its currency from 1943 until 1982 and continues to use the U.S. dollar alongside the [[Liberian dollar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:rjgZxrEkytAJ:www.countrycompass.com/_docs/assessments/Liberia_Economic_Recovery_Assessment.pdf+Liberian+dollar+1982&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgB5jM-McEY_lEOfi7dtjUAbUY3FHNMS-1b7c1mewxokLnC7PucnxlcZgbC4H60-44s9Kyw4SlVD0s8pI0lznK8MH_FSOPkOAEW8OgbhuDeI2kiEZ81wf4E0kNLQHndpFSE3jFO|title=Liberia Economic Recovery Assessment|work=USAID|date=July 2008|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412091814/https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:rjgZxrEkytAJ:www.countrycompass.com/_docs/assessments/Liberia_Economic_Recovery_Assessment.pdf+Liberian+dollar+1982&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgB5jM-McEY_lEOfi7dtjUAbUY3FHNMS-1b7c1mewxokLnC7PucnxlcZgbC4H60-44s9Kyw4SlVD0s8pI0lznK8MH_FSOPkOAEW8OgbhuDeI2kiEZ81wf4E0kNLQHndpFSE3jFO|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Following a decrease in [[inflation]] beginning in 2003, inflation spiked in 2008 as a result of worldwide [[2007–2008 world food price crisis|food]] and [[2000s energy crisis|energy crises]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mof.gov.lr/doc/Published%20Fiscal%20Outturns.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325223907/http://mof.gov.lr/doc/Published%20Fiscal%20Outturns.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 25, 2012|title=Quarter Three Fiscal Outturn, Fiscal Year 2010/11|work=Ministry of Finance|date=May 2011}}</ref> reaching 17.5% before declining to 7.4% in 2009.<ref name=imf/> Liberia's [[external debt]] was estimated in 2006 at approximately $4.5 billion, 800% of GDP.<ref name=challenges/> As a result of bilateral, multilateral and commercial debt relief from 2007 to 2010, the country's external debt fell to $222.9 million by 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mof.gov.lr/doc/2nd%20Qrt%20Debt%20Management%20Report.pdf|title=Second Quarter 2010/2011 Public Debt Management Report|work=Debt Management Unit|publisher=Ministry of Finance|date=March 25, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910014431/http://mof.gov.lr/doc/2nd%20Qrt%20Debt%20Management%20Report.pdf|archive-date=September 10, 2013}}</ref> |
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While official commodity exports declined during the 1990s as many investors fled the civil war, Liberia's wartime economy featured the exploitation of the region's diamond wealth.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/839206.stm|title=Liberia's diamond links|newspaper=BBC News|date=July 18, 2000|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928044310/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/839206.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The country acted as a major trader in Sierra Leonian [[blood diamond]]s, exporting over US$300 million (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=300000000|start_year=1999}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) in diamonds in 1999.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/liberia/ |title=CBC News Indepth: Liberia |newspaper=CBC News |date=March 29, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908174543/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/liberia/ |archive-date=September 8, 2013 }}</ref> This led to a [[United Nations]] ban on Liberian diamond exports in 2001, which was lifted in 2007 following Liberia's accession to the [[Kimberley Process Certification Scheme]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-05-01-liberia_N.htm|title=Liberia restarts diamond industry|newspaper=USA Today|date=May 1, 2007|access-date=September 3, 2017|archive-date=March 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309052935/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-05-01-liberia_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In 2003, additional UN sanctions were placed on Liberian timber exports, which had risen from US$5 million in 1997 to over US$100 million in 2002 and were believed to be funding rebels in Sierra Leone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/bloody-timber-off-the-market/|title=Bloody timber off the market|work=Greenpeace|date=May 7, 2003|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=July 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716103213/http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/bloody-timber-off-the-market/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Gary|last=Strieker|url=http://www.edition.cnn.com/2002/TECH/science/01/13/liberian.timber/index.html|title=U.N. mulls embargo on Liberian timber|work=CNN|date=January 13, 2002|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614180148/http://edition.cnn.com/2002/TECH/science/01/13/liberian.timber/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> These sanctions were lifted in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|first=Chenni|last=Xu|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2006-06-20-voa64.html|title=UN Lifts Liberia Timber Sanctions|work=Voice of America|date=June 20, 2006|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130090304/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2006-06-20-voa64.html|archive-date=January 30, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Due in large part to foreign aid and investment inflow following the end of the war, Liberia maintains a large [[Current account (balance of payments)|account deficit]], which peaked at nearly 60% in 2008.<ref name=consultation/> Liberia gained observer status with the [[World Trade Organization]] in 2010 and became an official member in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Members and Observers|url=https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/org6_e.htm|access-date=October 15, 2020|website=wto.org|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629193816/http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/org6_e.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Liberia has the highest ratio of foreign direct investment to GDP in the world, with US$16 billion (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=16000000000|start_year=2006}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) in investment since 2006.<ref name=agi/> Following Sirleaf's inauguration in 2006, Liberia signed several multi-billion-dollar concession agreements in the [[iron ore]] and [[palm oil]] industries with numerous [[multinational corporation]]s, including [[ArcelorMittal]], [[BHP]] and [[Sime Darby]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201008271043.html|title=Government Announces Agreement with Chevron to Explore Liberian Waters|publisher=allAfrica.com|date=August 27, 2010|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020040345/http://allafrica.com/stories/201008271043.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Palm oil companies like Sime Darby (Malaysia) and Golden Veroleum (USA) have been accused of destroying livelihoods and displacing local communities, enabled by government concessions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/rights/palm-oil-companys-deal-liberia-sparks-controversy|title=Palm oil industry accused of land grabs in Liberia|publisher=globalpost.com|date=December 27, 2012|access-date=January 8, 2013|archive-date=July 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702085839/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/rights/palm-oil-companys-deal-liberia-sparks-controversy|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 1926 [[Firestone Tire & Rubber Company|Firestone]] has operated the world's largest [[rubber plantation]] in [[Harbel]], Margibi County. As of 2015, it had more than 8,000 mostly Liberian employees, making it the country's largest private employer.<ref>{{citation |first=Fred |last=van der Kraaij |title=Liberia: From the love of liberty to paradise lost |page=144 |publisher=Leiden, African Studies Centre |date=2015 |url=https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/handle/1887/33835 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803074535/https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/handle/1887/33835 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |isbn=978-90-54481447}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firestonenaturalrubber.com/company_history.htm|title=Firestone and Liberia – Company History|work=Firestone Natural Rubber Company|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612171553/http://www.firestonenaturalrubber.com/company_history.htm|archive-date=June 12, 2011}}</ref> |
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In September 2024 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that its executive board approved a financial arrangement of approximately $210 million for Liberia. The approval includes an immediate disbursement of around $8 million. This arrangement is aimed at supporting Liberia's economic recovery and addressing fiscal challenges.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/imf-says-its-board-approved-210-million-arrangement-liberia-2024-09-25/ |title=IMF says its board approved $210 million arrangement for Liberia |work=Reuters |date=September 25, 2024 |access-date=October 2, 2024}}</ref> |
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=== Shipping flag of convenience === |
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Due to its status as a [[flag of convenience]], Liberia has the second-largest [[Flag state|maritime registry]] in the world behind [[Panama]]. It has 3,500 vessels registered under its flag, accounting for 11% of ships worldwide.<ref name="Schoenurl"/><ref name="About the Liberian Registry"/> |
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=== Major industries === |
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==== Agriculture ==== |
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{{Excerpt|Agriculture in Liberia}} |
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==== Mining ==== |
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{{Excerpt|Mining industry of Liberia}} |
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==== Telecommunications ==== |
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{{Main|Communications in Liberia}} |
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There are six major newspapers in Liberia, and 65% of the population has a mobile phone service. |
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Much of Liberia's communications infrastructure was destroyed or plundered during the two civil wars (1989–1996 and 1999–2003).<ref name=reform>{{cite web | url=http://www.ppiaf.org/sites/ppiaf.org/files/publication/PPIAF-Impact-Stories-Reforming-Liberia-Telecom-Sector.pdf | title=PPIAF Supports Telecommunications Reform and Liberalization in Liberia | publisher=Public-Private Infrastructure Facility (PPIAF) | date=July 2011 | access-date=September 3, 2011 | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051911/http://www.ppiaf.org/sites/ppiaf.org/files/publication/PPIAF-Impact-Stories-Reforming-Liberia-Telecom-Sector.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref> With low rates of adult literacy and high poverty rates, television and newspaper use is limited, leaving radio as the predominant means of communicating with the public.<ref>[http://www.audiencescapes.org/country-profiles-liberia-country-overview-quantitative-survey-qualitative-analysis-research "Introduction to Communication and Development in Liberia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307051722/http://www.audiencescapes.org/country-profiles-liberia-country-overview-quantitative-survey-qualitative-analysis-research |date=March 7, 2014 }}, AudienceScapes. Retrieved February 8, 2014.</ref> |
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==== Transportation ==== |
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{{Main|Transport in Liberia}} |
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[[File:Downtown Monrovia 3348917715 67a2002529.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|The streets of downtown [[Monrovia]], March 2009]]{{Excerpt|Transportation in Liberia}} |
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==== Energy ==== |
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{{Further|Energy in Liberia}} |
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Public electricity services are provided solely by the state-owned Liberia Electricity Corporation, which operates a small grid almost exclusively in the [[Greater Monrovia District]].<ref name="Options">{{cite web|url=http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTAFRREGTOPENERGY/Resources/717305-1266613906108/Liberia_Energy_ESW_11-4-11web.pdf|title=Options for the Development of Liberia's Energy Sector|work=International Bank for Reconstruction and Development|publisher=World Bank Group|date=2011|access-date=June 9, 2014|archive-date=January 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108191259/http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTAFRREGTOPENERGY/Resources/717305-1266613906108/Liberia_Energy_ESW_11-4-11web.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The vast majority of electric energy services is provided by small, privately owned [[Engine-generator|generators]]. At $0.54 per kWh, the cost of electricity in Liberia is among the highest in the world. Total capacity in 2013 was 20 MW, a sharp decline from a peak of 191 MW in 1989 before the wars.<ref name="Options" /> |
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The repair and expansion of the [[Mount Coffee Hydropower Project]], with a maximum capacity of 80 MW, was completed in 2018.<ref>{{cite news | first = Clair | last = MacDougall | title=Liberia: Stepping Back Into The Light? | newspaper=ThinkPressAfrica|date=July 18, 2012}}</ref> Construction of three new [[heavy fuel oil]] power plants is expected to boost electrical capacity by 38 MW.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201311280681.html|title=Liberia: Massive Electrification Boost|newspaper=allAfrica.com|date=November 27, 2013|access-date=June 9, 2014|archive-date=January 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108192806/https://allafrica.com/stories/201311280681.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, Liberia began importing power from neighboring Ivory Coast and Guinea through the [[West African Power Pool]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Teh |url=http://cmiliberia.org/blog/2013/07/30/behind-the-power-switch-in-nimba-an-optimism-for-vibtant-economy/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140609061323/http://cmiliberia.org/blog/2013/07/30/behind-the-power-switch-in-nimba-an-optimism-for-vibtant-economy/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 9, 2014 |title=Behind The Power Switch in Nimba, An optimism for Vibrant Economy |newspaper=The News Pinnacle |date=July 30, 2013 }}</ref> |
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Liberia has begun exploration for offshore oil; unproven oil reserves may be in excess of one billion barrels.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/southAfricaNews/idAFWEA839820091103 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120101525/http://af.reuters.com/article/southAfricaNews/idAFWEA839820091103 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 20, 2012 |title=Liberia may have over 1 bln barrels in oil resources |newspaper=Reuters Africa|date=November 3, 2009}}</ref> The government divided its offshore waters into 17 blocks and began auctioning off exploration licenses for the blocks in 2004, with further auctions in 2007 and 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040202005192/en/NOCAL-2004-Liberia-Offshore-Bid-Announcement|title=NOCAL 2004 Liberia Offshore Bid Round Announcement|work=Business Wire|date=February 2, 2004|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420231133/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040202005192/en/NOCAL-2004-Liberia-Offshore-Bid-Announcement|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=bidding>{{cite web|first=Natalie Obiko|last=Pearson|url=http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=53828|title=Liberia Opens Bidding for 10 Offshore Oil Blocks|work=RigZone|date=December 10, 2007|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=March 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330155653/http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=53828|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.psg.deloitte.com/NewsLicensingRounds_LR_0909.asp|title=Third Liberian Offshore Petroleum Licensing Round 2009|work=Deloitte Petroleum Services|publisher=Deloitte|date=August 27, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104072748/https://www.psg.deloitte.com/NewsLicensingRounds_LR_0909.asp|archive-date=November 4, 2013}}</ref> An additional 13 ultra-deep offshore blocks were demarcated in 2011 and planned for auction.<ref>{{cite web |first=Alphonso |last=Toweh |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE76K01J20110721?sp=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119002810/http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE76K01J20110721?sp=true |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 19, 2012 |title=Liberia marks out new oil blocks, auction seen soon |work=Reuters |date=July 21, 2011 |access-date=August 22, 2011}}</ref> Among the companies to have won licenses are [[Repsol YPF]], [[Chevron Corporation]], and [[Woodside Petroleum]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Ansu |last=Konneh |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-30/chevron-liberia-sign-deepwater-offshore-exploration-agreement.html |title=Chevron, Liberia Sign Deepwater Offshore Exploration Agreement |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=August 30, 2010 |access-date=March 8, 2017 |archive-date=September 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909022554/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-30/chevron-liberia-sign-deepwater-offshore-exploration-agreement.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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== Demographics == |
== Demographics == |
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[[File:Liberia-demography.png|thumb|upright=1.35|Liberia's population from 1961 to 2013, in millions.<ref name="Data of FAO, year 2005">Data of [[FAO]], year 2005</ref> Liberia's population tripled in 40 years.<ref name="Data of FAO, year 2005"/>]] |
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''Main article: [[Demographics of Liberia]]'' |
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[[File:Pyramide Liberia.PNG|thumb|upright=1.35|Liberia's [[population pyramid]], 2005. 43.5% of Liberians were below the age of 15 in 2010.<ref name="WPP 2010">{{Cite web|url=https://population.un.org/wpp/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816232627/http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/index.htm|url-status=dead|title=World Population Prospects – Population Division – United Nations|archive-date=August 16, 2015|website=population.un.org|access-date=September 1, 2019}}</ref>]] |
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{{main|Demographics of Liberia}} |
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{{See also|Liberian nationality law}} |
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As of the 2017 national census, Liberia was home to 4,694,608 people.<ref name="census2017final">{{cite web |url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/Population_by_County.pdf |title=2008 National Population and Housing Census Final Results: Population by County |author=Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services |date=May 2009 |work=2017 Population and Housing Census |publisher=Republic of Liberia |access-date=June 10, 2009 |archive-date=September 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911055748/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/Population_by_County.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Of those, 1,118,241 lived in [[Montserrado County]], the most populous county in the country and location of the capital Monrovia. The [[Greater Monrovia District]] has 970,824 residents.<ref name="census2008final">{{cite web |url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/Population_by_County.pdf |title=2008 National Population and Housing Census Final Results: Population by County |author=Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services |date=May 2009 |work=2008 Population and Housing Census |publisher=Republic of Liberia |access-date=June 10, 2009 |archive-date=September 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911055748/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/Population_by_County.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Nimba County]] is the next most populous county, with 462,026 residents.<ref name="census2008final"/> As revealed in the 2008 census, Monrovia is more than four times more populous than all the county capitals combined.<ref name="census2008"/> |
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Prior to the 2008 census, the last census had been taken in 1984 and listed the country's population as 2,101,628.<ref name="census2008final"/> The population of Liberia was 1,016,443 in 1962 and increased to 1,503,368 in 1974.<ref name="census2008"/> {{As of|2006}}, Liberia had the [[List of countries by population growth rate|highest population growth rate in the world]] (4.50% per annum).<ref>[https://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/wpp2006/WPP2006_Highlights_rev.pdf United Nations World Population Prospects: 2006 revision] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031153622/http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/wpp2006/WPP2006_Highlights_rev.pdf |date=October 31, 2017 }} – Table A.8</ref> In 2010 some 43.5% of Liberians were below the age of 15.<ref name="WPP 2010"/> |
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{{Largest cities of Liberia|class=info}} |
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=== Ethnic groups === |
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{{bar box |
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|title=Ethnic groups in Liberia |
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|titlebar=#ddd |
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|left1=Ethnic groups |
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|right1=Percent |
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|float=right |
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|bars= |
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{{bar percent|Kpelle|darkgreen|20.3}} |
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{{bar percent|Bassa|purple|13.4}} |
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{{bar percent|Grebo|red|10}} |
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{{bar percent|Gio|black|8}} |
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{{bar percent|Mano|orange|7.9}} |
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{{bar percent|Kru|darkblue|6}} |
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{{bar percent|Lorma|lightgrey|5.1}} |
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{{bar percent|Kissi|maroon|4.8}} |
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{{bar percent|Gola|darkgray|4.4}} |
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{{bar percent|Krahn|gray|4}} |
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{{bar percent|Vai|tan|4}} |
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{{bar percent|Mandinka|lime|3.2}} |
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{{bar percent|Gbandi|Violet|3}} |
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{{bar percent|Mende|darkgreen|1.3}} |
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{{bar percent|Sapo|purple|1.2}} |
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{{bar percent|Belle|red|0.8}} |
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{{bar percent|Dey|black|0.3}} |
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{{bar percent|Other Liberian|orange|0.6}} |
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{{bar percent|Other African|darkblue|1.4}}{{bar percent|Non African|white|0.1}} |
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}} |
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The population includes 16 indigenous [[ethnic group]]s and various foreign minorities. Indigenous peoples comprise about 95 percent of the population. The 16 officially recognized ethnic groups include the [[Kpelle people|Kpelle]], [[Bassa (Liberia)|Bassa]], [[Mano people|Mano]], [[Gio people|Gio]] or Dan, [[Kru people|Kru]], [[Grebo people|Grebo]], [[Krahn]], [[Vai people|Vai]], [[Gola people|Gola]], Mandingo or [[Mandinka people|Mandinka]], [[Mende people|Mende]], [[Kissi people|Kissi]], [[Gbandi]], [[Loma people|Loma]], [[Dei people|Dei]] or Dewoin, [[Belleh people|Belleh]], and [[Americo-Liberians]] (or ''Congo people''{{efn| |
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So named because many immigrants including those freed from slave ships arrived from ports at the mouth of the [[Congo River]]}}).{{Citation needed|reason=Where are the 16 ethnic groups officially defined? "Congos" were only part of the people who became Americo-Liberians|date=July 2024}} |
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The [[Kpelle people|Kpelle]] comprise more than 20% of the population and are the largest ethnic group in Liberia, residing mostly in [[Bong County]] and adjacent areas in central Liberia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/anthro/faculty/fiske/135b/kpelle.htm|title=Kpelle|first=Alan|last=Fiske|website=www.sscnet.ucla.edu|access-date=November 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102030436/http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/anthro/faculty/fiske/135b/kpelle.htm|archive-date=November 2, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Americo-Liberians, who are descendants of [[African American]] and [[West Indian]], mostly [[Barbadians|Barbadian]] (Bajan) [[settler]]s, make up 2.5%. Congo people, descendants of repatriated [[Kongo people|Congo]] and Afro-Caribbean slaves who arrived in 1825, make up an estimated 2.5%.<ref name="CIA"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theperspective.org/rewriting_history.html |title=Liberia's Ugly Past: Re-writing Liberian History |publisher=Theperspective.org |access-date=January 3, 2010 |archive-date=April 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420074423/http://www.theperspective.org/rewriting_history.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason= The ref provided "Liberia's Ugly Past" seems irrelevant here as it does not address population/demographics|date=May 2022}} These latter two groups established political control in the 19th century which they kept well into the 20th century. |
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The Liberian constitution exercises ''jus sanguinis'', which means it usually restricts its citizenship to "Negroes or persons of Negro descent."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liberianlegal.com/constitution1986.htm#_CITIZENSHIP|title=The Constitution of the Republic of Liberia – Chapter IV: Citizenship|website=www.liberianlegal.com|access-date=November 29, 2018|archive-date=October 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016145448/http://www.liberianlegal.com/constitution1986.htm#_CITIZENSHIP|url-status=live}}</ref> That being said, numerous immigrants have come as merchants and become a major part of the business community, including [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]], [[Indian people|Indians]], and other West African nationals. There is a high prevalence of interracial marriage between ethnic Liberians and the Lebanese, resulting in a significant [[mixed-race]] population especially in and around [[Monrovia]]. A small minority of Liberians who are [[White Africans of European descent]] reside in the country.{{Better source needed|reason= CIA Fact Book is no authority to populations in Liberia|date=November 2015}}<ref name="CIA"/> |
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=== Languages === |
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{{Further|Languages of Liberia}} |
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English is the official language and serves as the ''[[lingua franca]]'' of Liberia.<ref name=pulitzer>{{cite web |first=Jina |last=Moore |url=http://pulitzercenter.org/blog/untold-stories/liberia-ma-ellen-talk-plenty-plenty-liberian-english |title=Liberia: Ma Ellen talk plenty plenty Liberian English |work=Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting |date=October 19, 2009 |access-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-date=October 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005210518/http://pulitzercenter.org/blog/untold-stories/liberia-ma-ellen-talk-plenty-plenty-liberian-english |url-status=dead }}</ref> As of 2022, 27 indigenous languages are spoken in Liberia, but each is a [[first language]] for only a small percentage of the population.<ref name=e25>Liberia in {{e25}}</ref> Liberians also speak a variety of [[English-based creole languages|creolized dialects]] collectively known as [[Liberian English]].<ref name=pulitzer/> |
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=== Religion === |
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{{main|Religion in Liberia}} |
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{{bar box |float=right |titlebar=#ddd |
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|title=[[Religion in Liberia]] (2010)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/liberia#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010®ion_name=All+Countries&restrictions_year=2015|title=Religions in Liberia – PEW-GRF|website=www.globalreligiousfutures.org|access-date=October 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106235755/http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/liberia#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010®ion_name=All+Countries&restrictions_year=2015|archive-date=November 6, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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|left1=Religion |
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|right1=Percent |
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|bars= |
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{{bar percent|[[Protestantism]]|lightBlue|76.3}} |
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{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|12.2}} |
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{{bar percent|[[Roman Catholicism]]|red|7.2}} |
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{{bar percent|Other [[Christians|Christian]]|blue|1.6}} |
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{{bar percent|[[Irreligion|Unaffiliated]]|Lavender|1.4}} |
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{{bar percent|Other faith|grey|1.3}} |
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}} |
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According to the 2008 National Census, 85.6% of the population practiced [[Christianity]], while Muslims represented a minority of 12.2%.<ref name="Census 2008">{{cite web|url=https://www.lisgis.net/pg_img/NPHC%202008%20Final%20Report.pdf|title=2008 Population and Housing Census: Final Results|publisher=Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services|date=May 2009|page=A4-84|access-date=April 21, 2018|archive-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412091820/https://www.lisgis.net/pg_img/NPHC|url-status=dead}}</ref> A multitude of diverse [[Protestant]] confessions such as [[Lutheran]], [[Baptist]], [[Anglican|Episcopal]], [[Presbyterian]], [[Pentecostal]], [[United Methodist]], [[African Methodist Episcopal]] (AME) and [[African Methodist Episcopal Zion]] (AME Zion) denominations form the bulk of the Christian population, followed by adherents of the [[Catholic Church]] and other non-Protestant Christians. Most of these Christian denominations were brought by [[African American|African-American]] [[settler]]s moving from the United States into Liberia via the [[American Colonization Society]], while some are indigenous—especially [[Pentecostal]] and [[evangelical Protestant]] ones. Protestantism was originally associated with Black American settlers and their [[Americo-Liberian]] descendants, while native peoples initially held to their own [[animist]] forms of [[African traditional religion]] before largely adopting Christianity. While Christian, many Liberians also participate in traditional, gender-based indigenous religious [[secret societies]], such as [[Poro]] for men and [[Sande society|Sande]] for women. The all-female Sande society practices [[female circumcision]].<ref name=irfr>{{cite web |url=https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2010/148698.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123105613/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2010/148698.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 23, 2010 |title=International Religious Freedom Report 2010: Liberia |work=United States Department of State |date=November 17, 2010 |access-date=July 22, 2011}}</ref> |
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[[Muslims]] comprised 12.2% of the population in 2008, largely represented by the [[Mandinka people|Mandingo]] and [[Vai people|Vai]] ethnic groups. Liberian Muslims are divided between [[Sunnis]], [[Shia]]s, [[Ahmadiyya]]s, [[Sufi]]s, and [[non-denominational Muslim]]s.<ref>Pew Forum on Religious & Public life. August 9, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2013</ref> |
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In 2008, 0.5% identified adherence to [[African traditional religion|traditional indigenous religions]], while 1.5% claimed no religion. A small number of people were [[Baháʼí]], [[Hindu]], [[Sikh]], or [[Buddhist]]. |
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The Liberian constitution provides for [[freedom of religion]], and the government generally respects this right.<ref name=irfr/> While [[separation of church and state]] is mandated by the Constitution, Liberia is considered a [[Christian state]] in practice.<ref name="freedom">{{cite web |date=July 7, 2011 |title=Freedom in the World 2011 – Liberia |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e16b8f91a.html |access-date=January 23, 2023 |work=[[Freedom House]] |publisher=[[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019035608/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4e16b8f91a.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Public schools offer [[biblical studies]], though parents may opt their children out. Commerce is prohibited by law on Sunday and major [[Christian holiday]]s. The government does not require businesses or schools to excuse Muslims for [[Friday prayer]]s.<ref name=irfr/> |
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{{clear}} |
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=== Education === |
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{{main|Education in Liberia}} |
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[[File:Liberian students.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Students studying by candlelight in [[Bong County]]]] |
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In 2010, the [[literacy rate]] of Liberia was estimated at 60.8% (64.8% for males and 56.8% for females).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/document.aspx?ReportId=121&IF_Language=eng&BR_Country=4300&BR_Region=40540 |title=Education profile – Liberia |work=Institute for Statistics |publisher=UNESCO |year=2010 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930035337/http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/document.aspx?ReportId=121&IF_Language=eng&BR_Country=4300&BR_Region=40540 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In some areas primary and secondary education is free and compulsory from the ages of 6 to 16, though enforcement of attendance is lax.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74422|title=Liberia: Go to school or go to jail|date=September 21, 2007|work=IRN|publisher=UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|access-date=April 8, 2009|archive-date=March 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310014617/http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74422|url-status=live}}</ref> In other areas children are required to pay a tuition fee to attend school. On average, children attain 10 years of education (11 for boys and 8 for girls).<ref name=CIA/> The country's education sector is hampered by inadequate schools and supplies, as well as a lack of qualified teachers.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Sidiki |last1=Trawally |first2=Derek |last2=Reeves |url=http://www.liftliberia.gov.lr/press.php?news_id=100&related=Press%20Release |title=Making Quality Education Affordable And Assessable To All{{snd}}Prez. Sirleaf's Vision With Passion |work=Lift Liberia |year=2009 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512060404/http://www.liftliberia.gov.lr/press.php?news_id=100&related=Press%20Release |archive-date=May 12, 2013 }}</ref> |
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Higher education is provided by a number of public and private universities. The [[University of Liberia]] is the country's largest and oldest university. Located in Monrovia, the university opened in 1862. Today it has six colleges, including a medical school and the nation's only law school, [[Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law]].<ref>Jallah, David A. B. [http://www.ialsnet.org/meetings/enriching/JallahDavid.pdf "Notes, Presented by Professor and Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, David A. B. Jallah to the International Association of Law Schools Conference Learning From Each Other: Enriching the Law School Curriculum in an Interrelated World Held at Soochow University Kenneth Wang School of Law, Suzhou, China, October 17–19, 2007."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914053358/http://www.ialsnet.org/meetings/enriching/JallahDavid.pdf |date=September 14, 2013 }} International Association of Law Schools. Retrieved on September 1, 2008.</ref> |
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In 2009, [[Tubman University]] in [[Harper, Liberia|Harper]], [[Maryland County]] was established as the second public university in Liberia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thenewdawnliberia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=340:ellen-describes-tubman-universitys-opening-as-prs-success&catid=3:general&Itemid=68 |title=Ellen Describes Tubman University's Opening As PRS Success |newspaper=The New Dawn |date=March 3, 2010 |access-date=July 22, 2010 |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919003247/http://www.thenewdawnliberia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=340:ellen-describes-tubman-universitys-opening-as-prs-success&catid=3:general&Itemid=68 |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 2006, the government has also opened [[community college]]s in [[Buchanan, Liberia|Buchanan]], [[Sanniquellie]], and [[Voinjama]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/20101023President_Remarks_GBCC_Launch_Ground_Breaking.pdf |title=Remarks by H.E. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf At Official Launch and Fundraising Program Of the Grand Bassa Community College |publisher=The Executive Mansion |date=October 21, 2010 |access-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004060217/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/20101023President_Remarks_GBCC_Launch_Ground_Breaking.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Peter A. |last=Fahn |url=http://www.micat.gov.lr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=156:government-moves-ahead-with-education-decentralization-plans&catid=47:new-liberia&Itemid=91 |title=Government Moves Ahead With Education Decentralization Plans |date=July 7, 2011 |access-date=August 3, 2011 |archive-date=October 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003220056/http://www.micat.gov.lr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=156:government-moves-ahead-with-education-decentralization-plans&catid=47:new-liberia&Itemid=91 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004060405/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/press.php?news_id=1951 |url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/press.php?news_id=1951 |title=July 26 Celebrations Kick Off in Lofa As President Sirleaf Arrives |work=The Executive Mansion |date=July 25, 2011 |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |access-date=August 29, 2013}}</ref> |
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Due to student protests late in October 2018, newly elected president George Weah abolished tuition fees for undergraduate students in public universities in Liberia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mg.co.za/article/2018-10-25-liberias-weah-announces-free-tuition-for-undergrads|title=Liberia's Weah announces free tuition for undergrads|date=October 25, 2018|work=Mail & Guardian|access-date=March 20, 2018|agency=Agence France-Presse|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422213915/https://mg.co.za/article/2018-10-25-liberias-weah-announces-free-tuition-for-undergrads/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==== Private universities ==== |
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* [[Cuttington University]] was established by the [[Episcopal Church of the USA]] in 1889 in Suakoko, [[Bong County]], as part of its missionary education work among indigenous peoples. It is the nation's oldest private university. |
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* Stella Maris Polytechnic, a post-secondary, private institution of higher learning. Founded in 1988, the school is owned and operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia. Located on Capitol Hill, the school has approximately 2,000 students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://smp.edu.lr/index.html|title=Stella Maris Polytechnic|date=2013|website=smp>edu|access-date=March 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330223158/http://smp.edu.lr/index.html|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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* Adventist University of West Africa, a post-secondary learning environment that is situated in Margibi County, on the Roberts International Airport.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://auwa.edu.lr/#|title=Adventist University of West Africa|website=auwa,edu|access-date=March 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327170818/http://auwa.edu.lr/|archive-date=March 27, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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* United Methodist University, a private Christian university located in Liberia, West Africa, is commonly known amongst locals as UMU. As of 2016, it had approximately 9,118 students. This institution was founded in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://umu.edu.lr/|title=United Methodist University|date=2019|website=umu'edu|access-date=March 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320191456/http://umu.edu.lr/|archive-date=March 20, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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* African Methodist Episcopal University, a private higher education institution that was founded in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ame.edu.lr/|title=African Methodist Episcopal University|website=ame.edu|access-date=March 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322030248/http://ame.edu.lr/|archive-date=March 22, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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* Starz University, is a private higher education institution that was established in the United States in 2007, and became incorporated in Monrovia, 2009; with the objective of addressing the Information Technology(IT) need of Liberia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Starz University – Aim For Global Success |url=https://starzit.com/ |access-date=2022-08-12 |language=en-US |archive-date=August 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807165630/https://starzit.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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* St. Clements University College (Liberia), a private higher education institution that was founded in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=St Clements University College – Liberia |url=http://www.stclements.edu/liberia/ |website=stclements.edu |access-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414114150/http://www.stclements.edu/liberia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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=== Health === |
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{{Further|Health in Liberia}} |
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[[File:Life expectancy in Liberia.svg|thumb|Development of life expectancy]] |
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[[List of hospitals in Liberia|Hospitals in Liberia]] include the [[John F. Kennedy Medical Center (Liberia)|John F. Kennedy Medical Center]] in [[Monrovia]] and several others. [[Life expectancy]] in Liberia is estimated to be 64.4 years in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?end=2020&locations=LR&start=2020&view=bar |title=The WorldBank: Life Expectancy ranks |access-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804235643/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?end=2020&locations=LR&start=2020&view=bar |url-status=live }}</ref> With a fertility rate of 5.9 births per woman, the [[maternal mortality]] rate stood at 990 per 100,000 births in 2010, and 1,072 per 100,000 births in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unfpa.org/sowmy/resources/docs/country_info/profile/en_Liberia_SoWMy_Profile.pdf |title=The State of the World's Midwifery 2011: Liberia |work=United Nations Population Fund |access-date=August 2, 2011 |archive-date=December 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206210251/http://www.unfpa.org/sowmy/resources/docs/country_info/profile/en_Liberia_SoWMy_Profile.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Maternal health gets a new boost in Liberia |url=https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2017/7/feature-maternal-health-gets-a-new-boost-in-liberia |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=UN Women – Headquarters |date=July 17, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212173610/https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2017/7/feature-maternal-health-gets-a-new-boost-in-liberia |url-status=live }}</ref> A number of highly communicable diseases are widespread, including [[tuberculosis]], [[diarrheal diseases]] and [[malaria]]. In 2007, the [[HIV]] infection rates stood at 2% of the population aged 15–49<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.DYN.AIDS.ZS/countries |title=Data: Prevalence of HIV, total (% of population ages 15–49) |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=February 23, 2011 |archive-date=June 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629102325/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.DYN.AIDS.ZS/countries |url-status=live }}</ref> whereas the incidence of tuberculosis was 420 per 100,000 people in 2008.<ref name="profile">{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/gho/countries/lbr.pdf |title=Liberia: Health profile |publisher=World Health Organization |access-date=February 23, 2011 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220210455/http://www.who.int/gho/countries/lbr.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Approximately 58.2%<ref>{{cite news|title=Female genital mutilation (FGM)|url=https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/fgm/prevalence/en/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029201427/http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/fgm/prevalence/en/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|agency=World Health Organization}}</ref> – 66%<ref name=UNICEF2013p27>[http://www.unicef.org/media/files/FGCM_Lo_res.pdf UNICEF 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405083031/http://www.unicef.org/media/files/FGCM_Lo_res.pdf |date=April 5, 2015 }}, p. 27.</ref> of women are estimated to have undergone [[female genital mutilation]]. |
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Liberia imports 90% of its rice, a staple food, and is extremely vulnerable to food shortages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irinnews.org/IndepthMain.aspx?InDepthID=72&ReportID=77811 |title=Liberia: Nurtitional "crisis" in Monrovia |publisher=Integrated Regional Information Networks. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |access-date=February 24, 2011 |archive-date=October 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016172049/http://www.irinnews.org/indepthmain.aspx?InDepthID=72&ReportID=77811 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2007, 20.4% of children under the age of five were malnourished.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.STA.MALN.ZS/countries |title=Data: Malnutrition prevalence, weight for age (% of children under 5). The |publisher=World Bank |access-date=February 23, 2011 |archive-date=May 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522050449/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.STA.MALN.ZS/countries |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, only 17% of the population had access to adequate sanitation facilities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.STA.ACSN/countries |title=Data: Improved sanitation facilities (% of population with access) |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=February 23, 2011 |archive-date=June 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601010635/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.STA.ACSN/countries |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Approximately 95% of the country's healthcare facilities had been destroyed by the time civil war ended in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=60788 |title=Liberia: Breathing Life into ailing healthcare system |date=September 2006 |publisher=Integrated Regional Information Networks. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |access-date=February 24, 2011 |archive-date=September 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910203141/http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=60788 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, government expenditure on health care per capita was US$22, (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=22|start_year=2009}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) <ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.PCAP/countries |title=Data: Health expenditure per capita (current US$) |publisher=World Bank |access-date=February 23, 2011 |archive-date=June 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609191024/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.PCAP/countries |url-status=live }}</ref> accounting for 10.6% of total GDP.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.TOTL.ZS/countries |title=Data: Health expenditure, total (% of GDP) |publisher=World Bank |access-date=February 23, 2011 |archive-date=June 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609021820/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.TOTL.ZS/countries |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, Liberia had only one doctor and 27 nurses per 100,000 people.<ref name="profile"/> |
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In 2014, an [[2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak|outbreak of Ebola virus]] in Guinea [[Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia|spread to Liberia]].<ref>{{cite news |first= Alphonso |last= Toweh |date= March 30, 2014 |title= Liberian health authorities confirm two cases of Ebola: WHO |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-liberia-ebola-idUSBREA2T0ON20140330 |work= Reuters |access-date= March 30, 2014 |archive-date= September 24, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924195329/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/30/us-liberia-ebola-idUSBREA2T0ON20140330 |url-status= live }}</ref> {{as of|2014|November|17|df=US}}, there were 2,812 confirmed deaths from the ongoing outbreak.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/17/how-liberia-might-have-beat-ebola.html |title=How Liberia (Might Have) Beat Ebola |newspaper=The Daily Beast |date=November 17, 2014 |access-date=November 17, 2014 |last1=Haglage |first1=Abby |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054112/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/17/how-liberia-might-have-beat-ebola.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In early August 2014 [[Guinea]] closed its borders to Liberia to help contain the spread of the virus, as more new cases were being reported in Liberia than in Guinea. On May 9, 2015, Liberia was declared Ebola free after six weeks with no new cases.<ref>{{cite news|title = Wonderful News Liberia after plague|url = https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21650584-wonderful-news-liberia-after-plague|newspaper = The Economist|access-date = May 11, 2015|archive-date = September 9, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170909095457/https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21650584-wonderful-news-liberia-after-plague|url-status = live}}</ref> |
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The population of over 3 million comprises 16 indigenous ethnic groups and various foreign minorities. The [[Kpelle]] in central and western Liberia is the largest ethnic group. Americo-Liberians, who are descendants of freed slaves that arrived in Liberia early in 1821, make up an estimated 5% of the population. There also is a sizable number of [[Lebanon|Lebanese]], [[India]]ns, and other West African nationals who make up a significant part of Liberia's business community. A few whites (estimated at 18,000 in 1999; probably fewer now) reside in the country. |
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According to an [[Overseas Development Institute]] report, private health expenditure accounts for 64.1% of total spending on health.<ref>Marc DuBois and Caitlin Wake, with Scarlett Sturridge and Christina Bennett (2015) [http://www.odi.org/publications/9956-ebola-response-west-africa-exposing-politics-culture-international-aid The Ebola response in West Africa: Exposing the politics and culture of international aid] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928074929/https://www.odi.org/publications/9956-ebola-response-west-africa-exposing-politics-culture-international-aid |date=September 28, 2020 }} London: Overseas Development Institute</ref> |
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Political upheavals and civil war have brought about a steep decline in living standards. |
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With a score of 31.9 in the 2024 '''Global Hunger Index''', '''Liberia''' has a level of hunger that is serious.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Hunger Index Scores by 2024 GHI Rank |url=https://www.globalhungerindex.org/ranking.html |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Global Hunger Index (GHI) - peer-reviewed annual publication designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at the global, regional, and country levels |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Education== |
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[[Cuttington University College]] was established by the [[Episcopal Church of the USA]] ([[ECUSA]]) in [[1889]]; its campus is currently located in [[Suacoco]], [[Bong County]] (120 miles north of [[Monrovia]]). |
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== Culture == |
== Culture == |
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{{main|Culture of Liberia}} |
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[[File:Brooklyn Museum 1998.80.2 Helmet Mask for Sande Society.jpg|thumb|Bassa culture. ''Helmet Mask for [[Sande society|Sande Society]] (Ndoli Jowei)'', Liberia. 20th century. [[Brooklyn Museum]].]] |
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The religious practices, social customs, and cultural standards of the Americo-Liberians had their roots in the [[Antebellum era|antebellum]] [[American South]]. The settlers wore [[top hat and tails]] and modeled their homes on those of Southern slaveowners.<ref>{{cite web |first=Teresa |last=Wiltz |url=http://www.theroot.com/views/liberia-war-weary-echoes-old-dixie |title=Liberia: War-Weary, With Echoes of Old Dixie |work=The Root |date=December 2, 2010 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901031105/http://www.theroot.com/views/liberia-war-weary-echoes-old-dixie |archive-date=September 1, 2011 }}</ref> Most Americo-Liberian men were members of the [[Masonic Order of Liberia]], which became heavily involved in the nation's politics.{{cn|date=July 2024}} |
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Liberia was traditionally noted for its hospitality and academic institutions, cultural skills and arts and craft works. |
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Liberia has a rich history in textile arts and quilting, as the settlers brought with them their sewing and quilting skills. Liberia hosted National Fairs in 1857 and 1858 in which prizes were awarded for various needle arts. One of the most well-known Liberian quilters was Martha Ann Ricks,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/portrait.asp?LinkID=mp63618&rNo=0&role=sit|title=Martha Ricks|publisher=National Portrait Gallery|access-date=December 12, 2008|archive-date=May 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524033138/http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/portrait.asp?LinkID=mp63618&rNo=0&role=sit|url-status=live}}</ref> who presented a quilt featuring the famed Liberian [[coffee tree]] to [[Queen Victoria]] in 1892. When President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf moved into the Executive Mansion, she reportedly had a Liberian-made quilt installed in her presidential office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200603240593.html?page=2 |access-date=May 16, 2008 |title=Liberia: It's the Little Things{{snd}}A Reflection on Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's Journey to the Presidency |work=allAfrica.com |date=March 24, 2006 |archive-date=September 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915195122/http://allafrica.com/stories/200603240593.html?page=2 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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*[[Music of Liberia]] |
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A rich literary tradition has existed in Liberia for over a century. [[Edward Wilmot Blyden]], [[Bai T. Moore]], [[Roland T. Dempster]] and [[Wilton G. S. Sankawulo]] are among Liberia's more prominent authors.<ref>{{cite news |first=Varney |last=Kamara |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201007200709.html |title=Liberia: "Literature Must Be Given Priority" |work=The Analyst |publisher=allAfrica.com |date=July 20, 2010 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020072418/http://allafrica.com/stories/201007200709.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Moore's novella ''[[Murder in the Cassava Patch]]'' is considered Liberia's most celebrated novel.<ref>{{cite web |first=J. Kpanneh |last=Doe |url=http://www.theperspective.org/bookreview.html |title=Baa Salaka: Sacrificial Lamb – A Book Review & Commentary |work=The Perspective |date=October 31, 2000 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=September 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909064724/http://www.theperspective.org/bookreview.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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== Miscellaneous topics == |
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=== Media === |
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* [[Communications in Liberia]] |
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{{Main|Mass media in Liberia}} |
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* [[Military of Liberia]] |
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=== Polygamy === |
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* [[Foreign relations of Liberia]] |
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{{Further|Polygamy in Liberia}} |
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One-third of married Liberian women between the ages of 15–49 are in [[polygamous marriage]]s.<ref name="Atlasof">OECD Atlas of Gender and Development: How Social Norms Affect Gender Equality in non-OECD Countries, OECD Publishing, 2010. p. 236.</ref> Customary law allows men to have up to four wives.<ref>Olukoju, Ayodeji. "Gender Roles, Marriage and Family", ''Culture and Customs of Liberia''. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2006, p. 97.</ref> |
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=== Cuisine === |
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{{main|Liberian cuisine}} |
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[[File:Beachside Barbeque (6831739276).jpg|thumb|A beachside barbecue at [[Sinkor]], [[Monrovia]], Liberia]] |
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Liberian cuisine heavily incorporates [[rice]], the country's staple food. Other ingredients include [[cassava]], [[fish]], [[banana]]s, [[citrus fruit]], [[Cooking banana|plantains]], [[coconut]], [[okra]] and [[sweet potatoes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/liberia.php |title=Celtnet Liberian Recipes and Cookery |work=Celtnet Recipes |access-date=July 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903234346/http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/liberia.php |archive-date=September 3, 2011 }}</ref> Heavy [[stew]]s spiced with [[habanero]] and [[scotch bonnet]] chilies are popular and eaten with [[fufu]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Liberia.html |title=Liberia |work=Food in Every Country |access-date=August 27, 2013 |archive-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230134326/http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Liberia.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Liberia also has a tradition of [[baking]] imported from the United States that is unique in West Africa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gwydion.weebly.com/liberian-baking.html |title=The Baking Recipes of Liberia |work=Africa Aid |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910175551/http://gwydion.weebly.com/liberian-baking.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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=== Sport === |
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The most popular [[sport]] in Liberia is [[association football]], with former President [[George Weah]] being the nation's most famous athlete. He is so far the only African to be named [[FIFA World Player of the Year]].<ref name="FIFA">[https://web.archive.org/web/20131020073045/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=2187/ "Iconic Weah a true great"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved November 17, 2013</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=George Weah: Ex-AC Milan, Chelsea & Man City striker elected Liberia president |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41607141 |publisher=BBC |date=June 22, 2018 |access-date=September 7, 2018 |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430115039/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41607141 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Liberia national football team]] has reached the [[Africa Cup of Nations]] finals twice, in [[1996 African Cup of Nations|1996]] and [[2002 African Cup of Nations|2002]]. |
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The second most popular sport in Liberia is [[basketball]]. The [[Liberian national basketball team]] has reached the [[AfroBasket]] twice, in [[FIBA Africa Championship 1983|1983]] and [[AfroBasket 2007|2007]]. |
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In Liberia, the [[Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex]] serves as a multi-purpose [[stadium]]. It hosts [[FIFA World Cup]] qualifying matches in addition to international concerts and national political events.<ref>{{cite news|title=Liberia:Chaos Mars Grand Bassa and Nimba Clash|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201401211272.html|access-date=October 9, 2016|newspaper=All Africa|date=January 21, 2012|archive-date=January 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122173654/http://allafrica.com/stories/201401211272.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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=== Measurement system === |
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Liberia has not yet completely adopted the [[International System of Units]] (abbreviated as the SI, also called the metric system). The Liberian government has begun transitioning away from use of [[United States customary units]] to the metric system.<ref name=ut> |
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{{cite web|url = http://trend.ag.utk.edu/international/ReformingCocoaCoffeeMarketingLiberia.pdf|title = Reforming Cocoa and Coffee Marketing in Liberia|author = Wilcox, Michael D. Jr. |year = 2008|work = Presentation and Policy Brief|publisher = University of Tennessee|access-date = April 25, 2010|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100624032539/http://trend.ag.utk.edu/international/ReformingCocoaCoffeeMarketingLiberia.pdf|archive-date = June 24, 2010}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Cited source mentions only that coffee farmers have been confused by switchover, gives no information of when or how switchover occurred.|date=February 2024}} This change has been gradual, with government reports concurrently using United States Customary and metric units.<ref> |
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{{cite web| url = http://www.emansion.gov.lr/content.php?sub=County%20Development%20Agendas&related=CDAs| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100114003713/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/content.php?sub=County%20Development%20Agendas&related=CDAs| archive-date = January 14, 2010| url-status = dead| title = County Development Agendas| author = Government of Liberia| year = 2008| publisher = Government of the Republic of Liberia| access-date = May 1, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.molme.gov.lr/doc/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Annual%20Report%20Jan%201%20-%20Dec%2031%202009.pdf|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110410125217/http://www.molme.gov.lr/doc/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Annual%20Report%20Jan%201%20-%20Dec%2031%202009.pdf|url-status = dead|archive-date = April 10, 2011|title = Annual report|author = Shannon, Eugene H.|date = December 31, 2009|publisher = Liberian Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy|access-date = May 1, 2010}}</ref> In 2018, the Liberian Commerce and Industry Minister announced that the Liberian government is committed to adopting the metric system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/business/govt-pledges-commitment-to-adopt-metric-system/|title=Gov't Pledges Commitment to Adopt Metric System|first=Robin|last=Dopoe|date=May 25, 2018|access-date=September 1, 2019|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109004653/https://www.liberianobserver.com/business/govt-pledges-commitment-to-adopt-metric-system/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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== See also == |
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{{portal|Liberia|Africa|Countries}} |
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* [[Outline of Liberia]] |
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* [[Gender inequality in Liberia]] |
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== Notes == |
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{{Notelist}} |
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{{Clear}} |
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== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
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== Further reading == |
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{{refbegin|colwidth=30em}} |
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* Cooper, Helene, ''House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood'' (Simon & Schuster, 2008, {{ISBN|0743266242}}) |
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* {{cite book | title=Africa in World History, From Prehistory to the Present | date=October 2003 | publisher=Prentice Hall | isbn = 978-0130929075| edition=Paperback | author1=Gilbert, Erik |author2=Reynolds, Jonathan T }} |
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* {{cite book | title=Too Late to Turn Back | year=1991 | publisher=Penguin | isbn=0140095942 | author=Greene, Barbara | url=https://archive.org/details/toolatetoturnbac00gree }} |
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* {{cite book | title=Journey Without Maps | publisher=Vintage | year=1936 | isbn = 978-0099282235| author=Greene, Graham |title-link=Journey Without Maps }} |
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* {{cite book | title=Long Story Bit By Bit: Liberia Retold | publisher=New York: Umbrage | year=2009 | isbn = 978-1884167737| author=Hetherington, Tim }} |
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* {{cite book | title=Mississippi in Africa: The Saga of the Slaves of Prospect Hill Plantation and Their Legacy in Liberia Today | publisher=Gotham Books | year=2004 | isbn=978-1592400447 | author=Huffman, Alan | url=https://archive.org/details/mississippiinafr00huff }} |
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* {{cite book| url = https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/handle/1887/33835| title = Liberia : From the Love of Liberty to Paradise Lost| publisher = African Studies Centre, Leiden| year = 2015| isbn = 978-9054481447| author = Kraaij, Fred| author2 = van der| access-date = February 28, 2016| archive-date = August 3, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200803074535/https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/handle/1887/33835| url-status = live}} |
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* Lang, Victoria, ''To Liberia: Destiny's Timing'' (Publish America, Baltimore, 2004, {{ISBN|1413718299}}). Novel of the journey of a young Black couple fleeing America to settle in the African motherland of Liberia. |
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* Maksik, Alexander, ''A Marker to Measure Drift'' (John Murray 2013; Paperback 2014; {{ISBN|978-1848548077}}). A novel about a young woman's experience of and escape from the Liberian civil war. |
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* {{cite book |
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| title=Merriam Webster's Geographical Dictionary: third Edition |
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| publisher=Merriam Webster Inc. |
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| location=Springfield |
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| year=1997 |
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| isbn=0877795460 |
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| edition=Paperback |
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| url=https://archive.org/details/merriamwebstersg1998merr |
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}} |
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* [[Godfrey Mwakikagile|Mwakikagile, Godfrey]], ''Military Coups in West Africa Since The Sixties'', Chapter Eight: Liberia: 'The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here,' pp. 85–110, [[Nova Science Publishers, Inc.]], Huntington, New York, 2001; Godfrey Mwakikagile, ''The Modern African State: Quest for Transformation'', Chapter One: The Collapse of A Modern African State: Death and Rebirth of Liberia, pp. 1–18, Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2001. |
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* {{cite book |
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| title=Liberia: Portrait of a Failed State |
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| date=2001 |
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| publisher=Reed Press |
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| isbn=1594290121 |
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| author=Pham, John-Peter |
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| url=https://archive.org/details/liberiaportraito00pham |
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}} |
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* Sankawulo, Wilton, ''Great Tales of Liberia''. Dr. Sankawulo is the compiler of these tales from Liberia and about Liberian culture. Editura Universității "Lucian Blaga", Sibiu, Romania, 2004. {{ISBN|978-9736518386}}. |
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* Sankawulo, Wilton, ''Sundown at Dawn: A Liberian Odyssey''. Recommended by the Cultural Resource Center, Center for Applied Linguistics for its content concerning Liberian culture. {{ISBN|0976356503}} |
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* Shaw, Elma, ''Redemption Road: The Quest for Peace and Justice in Liberia'' (a novel), with a foreword by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Cotton Tree Press, 2008, {{ISBN|978-0980077407}}) |
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* {{cite book |
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| title=Liberia: The Heart of Darkness |
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| date=2006 | publisher=Trafford Publishing |
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| isbn = 1553692942 |
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| author=Williams, Gabriel I. H. |
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}} |
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{{refend}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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{{sisterlinks|d=Q1014|c=Category:Liberia|n=Category:Liberia|b=no|v=no|voy=Liberia|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}} |
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* [http://www.liberianonline.com/ LiberianOnline.com: Connecting Liberian] |
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* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/LI.html Chief of State and Cabinet Members] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017024954/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/LI.html |date=October 17, 2020 }} |
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* [http://www.qsl.net/yb0rmi/liberia.htm Investigative Report: Liberian Situation and Star Radio: Bureaucratization of Clandestine Radio] |
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* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/liberia/ Liberia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319020318/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/liberia |date=March 19, 2021 }}. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]]. |
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* [http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/685.cfm World Press Review: War in Liberia Threatens to Destabilize Region] |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080607085129/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/liberia.htm Liberia] from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''. |
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* [http://HavenWorks.com/world/liberia Liberia News] |
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* [http://zeal.com/category/preview.jhtml?cid=559929 Over 300 categorized and profiled websites about Liberia on Zeal] |
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{{Liberia topics}} |
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* [http://www.LiberiaSeaBreeze.com Sea Breeze: An online journal of literary works by contemporary Liberian writers] |
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{{Countries of Africa}} |
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* [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/liberia Liberia: Global Connections on PBS] |
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{{Navboxes |
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*[http://www.travel-images.com/liberia.html Liberia - images] |
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|title = International membership |
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* [http://slate.msn.com/id/2085169/ slate.msn.com: Was Liberia Founded by Freed U.S. Slaves?] |
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{{Coord|6|30|N|9|30|W|display=title}} |
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[[Category:Liberia]] |
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[[Category:African Union member states]] |
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[[Category:Liberia| ]]<!--Please do not move this article from its correct and standard position at the head of its own category.--> |
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[[ar:ليبيريا]] |
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Latest revision as of 15:52, 22 December 2024
Republic of Liberia | |
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Motto: "The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here" | |
Anthem: "All Hail, Liberia, Hail!" | |
Capital and largest city | Monrovia 6°19′N 10°48′W / 6.317°N 10.800°W |
Official languages | English |
Ethnic groups (2008[1]) | |
Religion (2018)[2] |
|
Demonym(s) | Liberian |
Government | Unitary presidential republic |
Joseph Boakai | |
Jeremiah Koung | |
Jonathan F. Koffa | |
Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh | |
Legislature | Legislature of Liberia |
Senate | |
House of Representatives | |
Formation and Independence from American Colonization Society | |
• American Colonization Society settlement | January 7, 1822 |
July 26, 1847 | |
• Republic of Maryland annexed | March 18, 1857 |
• Recognition by the United States | February 5, 1862 |
• United Nations membership | November 2, 1945 |
January 6, 1986 | |
Area | |
• Total | 43,000[1] sq mi (111,370 km2) (102nd) |
• Water (%) | 13.514 |
Population | |
• 2024 estimate | 5,437,249[3] (120th) |
• Density | 92.0/sq mi (35.5/km2) (180th) |
GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $9.718 billion[4] (167th) |
• Per capita | $1,789[4] (184th) |
GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $4.347 billion[4] (171st) |
• Per capita | $800[4] (180th) |
Gini (2016) | 35.3[5] medium inequality |
HDI (2022) | 0.487[6] low (177th) |
Currency | United States dollar (USD) Liberian dollar (LRD)[7] |
Time zone | UTC (GMT) |
Date format | mm/dd/yyyy |
Drives on | Right |
Calling code | +231 |
ISO 3166 code | LR |
Internet TLD | .lr |
Website www |
Liberia (/laɪˈbɪəriə/ ), 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 and covers an area of 43,000 square miles (111,369 km2). The official language is English. Over 20 indigenous languages are spoken, reflecting the country's ethnic and cultural diversity. The capital and largest city is Monrovia.
Liberia began in the early 19th century as a project of the American Colonization Society (ACS), which believed that black people would face better chances for freedom and prosperity in Africa than in the United States.[8] Between 1822 and the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, more than 15,000 freed and free-born African Americans, along with 3,198 Afro-Caribbeans, relocated to Liberia.[9] Gradually developing an Americo-Liberian identity,[10][11] the settlers carried their culture and tradition with them while colonizing the indigenous population. Led by the Americo-Liberians, Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847, which the U.S. did not recognize until February 5, 1862.
Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence and is Africa's first and oldest modern republic. Along with Ethiopia, it was one of the two African countries to maintain its sovereignty and independence during the European colonial "Scramble for Africa". During World War II, Liberia supported the U.S. war effort against Nazi Germany and in turn received considerable American investment in infrastructure, which aided the country's wealth and development.[12] President William Tubman encouraged economic and political changes that heightened the country's prosperity and international profile; Liberia was a founding member of the League of Nations, United Nations, and the Organisation of African Unity.
The Americo-Liberian settlers did not relate well to the indigenous peoples they encountered. Colonial settlements were raided by the Kru and Grebo from their inland chiefdoms. Americo-Liberians formed into a small elite that held disproportionate political power, while indigenous Africans were excluded from birthright citizenship in their own land until 1904.[13][14]
In 1980, political tensions from the rule of William R. Tolbert resulted in a military coup, marking the end of Americo-Liberian rule and the seizure of power of Liberia's first indigenous leader, Samuel Doe. Establishing a dictatorial regime, Doe was assassinated in 1990 in the context of the First Liberian Civil War which ran from 1989 until 1997 with the election of rebel leader Charles Taylor as president. In 1998, the Second Liberian Civil War erupted against his own dictatorship, and Taylor was overthrown by the end of the war in 2003. The two wars resulted in the deaths of 250,000 people (about 8% of the population) and the displacement of many more, with Liberia's economy shrinking by 90%.[15] A peace agreement in 2003 led to democratic elections in 2005. The country has remained relatively stable since then.
History
[edit]Indigenous people
[edit]The presence of Oldowan artifacts in West Africa was confirmed by Michael Omolewa, attesting to the presence of ancient humans.[16]
Undated Acheulean (ESA) artifacts are well documented across West Africa. The emerging chronometric record of the Middle Stone Age (MSA) indicates that core and flake technologies have been present in West Africa since at least the Chibanian (~780–126 thousand years ago or ka) in northern, open Sahelian zones, and that they persisted until the Terminal Pleistocene/Holocene boundary (~12 ka) in both northern and southern zones of West Africa. This makes them the youngest examples of such MSA technology anywhere in Africa. The presence of MSA populations in forests remains an open question. Technological differences may correlate with various ecological zones. Later Stone Age (LSA) populations evidence significant technological diversification, including both microlithic and macrolithic traditions.[17]
The record shows that aceramic and ceramic LSA assemblages in West Africa overlap chronologically, and that changing densities of microlithic industries from the coast to the north are geographically structured. These features may represent social networks or some form of cultural diffusion allied to changing ecological conditions.[17]
Microlithic industries with ceramics became common by the Mid-Holocene, coupled with an apparent intensification of wild food exploitation. Between ~4–3.5 ka, these societies gradually transformed into food producers, possibly through contact with northern pastoralists and agriculturalists, as the environment became more arid. Hunter-gatherers have survived in the more forested parts of West Africa until much later, attesting to the strength of ecological boundaries in this region.[17]
Mande expansion
[edit]The Pepper Coast, also known as the Grain Coast, has been inhabited by indigenous peoples of Africa at least as far back as the 12th century. Mande-speaking people expanded from the north and east, forcing many smaller ethnic groups southward toward the Atlantic Ocean. The Dei, Bassa, Kru, Gola, and Kissi were some of the earliest documented peoples in the area.[18]
This influx of these groups was compounded by the decline of the Mali Empire in 1375 and the Songhai Empire in 1591. As inland regions underwent desertification, inhabitants moved to the wetter coast. These new inhabitants brought skills such as cotton spinning, cloth weaving, iron smelting, rice and sorghum cultivation, and social and political institutions from the Mali and Songhai empires.[18] Shortly after the Mane conquered the region, the Vai people of the former Mali Empire immigrated into the Grand Cape Mount County region. The ethnic Kru opposed the influx of Vai, forming an alliance with the Mane to stop further influx of Vai.[19]
People along the coast built canoes and traded with other West Africans from Cap-Vert to the Gold Coast.
Early colonization
[edit]Between 1461 and the late 17th century, Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders had contacts and trading posts in the region. The Portuguese named the area Costa da Pimenta ("Pepper Coast") but it later came to be known as the Grain Coast, due to the abundance of melegueta pepper grains.[20] The traders would barter commodities and goods with local people.[21]
In the United States, there was a movement to settle African Americans, both free-born and formerly enslaved, in Africa. This was because they faced racial discrimination in the form of political disenfranchisement and the denial of civil, religious, and social rights.[22] Formed in 1816, the American Colonization Society (ACS) was made up mostly of Quakers and slaveholders. Quakers believed black people would face better chances for freedom in Africa than in the U.S.[8][23] While slaveholders opposed freedom for enslaved people, some viewed "repatriation" of free people of color as a way to avoid slave rebellions.[8]
In 1822, the American Colonization Society began sending free people of color to the Pepper Coast voluntarily to establish a colony. Mortality from tropical diseases was high—of the 4,571 emigrants who arrived in Liberia between 1820 and 1843, only 1,819 survived.[24][25] By 1867, the ACS (and state-related chapters) had assisted in the migration of more than 13,000 people of color from the United States and the Caribbean to Liberia.[26] These free African Americans and their descendants married within their community and came to identify as Americo-Liberians. Many were of mixed race and educated in American culture; they did not identify with the indigenous natives of the tribes they encountered. They developed an ethnic group that had a cultural tradition infused with American notions of political republicanism and Protestant Christianity.[27]
The ACS, supported by prominent American politicians such as Abraham Lincoln, Henry Clay, and James Monroe, believed "repatriation" was preferable to having emancipated slaves remain in the United States.[23] Similar state-based organizations established colonies in Mississippi-in-Africa, Kentucky in Africa, and the Republic of Maryland, which Liberia later annexed. Lincoln in 1862 described Liberia as only "in a certain sense...a success", and proposed instead that free people of color be assisted to emigrate to Chiriquí, today part of Panama.[28]
The Americo-Liberian settlers did not relate well to the indigenous peoples they encountered, especially those in communities of the more isolated "bush". The colonial settlements were raided by the Kru and Grebo from their inland chiefdoms. Encounters with tribal Africans in the bush often became violent. Believing themselves different from and culturally and educationally superior to the indigenous peoples, the Americo-Liberians developed as an elite minority that created and held on to political power. The Americo-Liberian settlers adopted clothing such as hoop skirts and tailcoats and generally viewed themselves as culturally and socially superior to indigenous Africans.[29] Indigenous tribesmen did not enjoy birthright citizenship in their own land until 1904.[14] Americo-Liberians encouraged religious organizations to set up missions and schools to educate the indigenous peoples.[29]
Political formation
[edit]On July 26, 1847, the settlers issued a Declaration of Independence and promulgated a constitution. Based on the political principles of the United States Constitution, it established the independent Republic of Liberia.[30][31] On August 24, Liberia adopted its 11-striped national flag.[32] The United Kingdom was the first country to recognize Liberia's independence.[33] The United States did not recognize Liberia until 1862, after the Southern states, which had strong political power in the American government, declared their secession and the formation of the Confederacy.[34][35][36]
The leadership of the new nation consisted largely of the Americo-Liberians, who at the beginning established political and economic dominance in the coastal areas that the ACS had purchased; they maintained relations with the United States and contacts in developing these areas and the resulting trade. Their passage of the 1865 Ports of Entry Act prohibited foreign commerce with the inland tribes, ostensibly to "encourage the growth of civilized values" before such trade was allowed in the region.[30]
By 1877, the True Whig Party was the country's most powerful political entity.[37] It was made up primarily of Americo-Liberians, who maintained social, economic and political dominance well into the 20th century, repeating patterns of European colonists in other nations in Africa. Competition for office was usually contained within the party; a party nomination virtually ensured election.[38]
Pressure from the United Kingdom, which controlled Sierra Leone to the northwest, and France, with its interests in the north and east, led to a loss of Liberia's claims to extensive territories. Both Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast annexed territories.[39] Liberia struggled to attract investment to develop infrastructure and a larger, industrial economy.
There was a decline in the production of Liberian goods in the late 19th century, and the government struggled financially, resulting in indebtedness on a series of international loans.[40] On July 16, 1892, Martha Ann Erskine Ricks met Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle and presented her with a handmade quilt, Liberia's first diplomatic gift. Born into slavery in Tennessee, Ricks said, "I had heard it often, from the time I was a child, how good the Queen had been to my people—to slaves—and how she wanted us to be free."[33]
Early 20th century
[edit]American and other international interests emphasized resource extraction, with rubber production as a major industry in the early 20th century.[41] In 1914, Imperial Germany accounted for three-quarters of the trade of Liberia. This was a cause for concern among the British colonial authorities of Sierra Leone and the French colonial authorities of French Guinea and the Ivory Coast as tensions with Germany increased.[42]
World Wars and interwar period
[edit]Liberia remained neutral during World War I until August 4, 1917, when it declared war on Germany. Subsequently, it was one of 32 nations to take part in the Versailles Peace Conference in 1919, which ended the war and established the League of Nations; Liberia was among the few African and non-Western nations to participate in the conference and the founding of the league.[43]
In 1927, the country's elections again showed the power of the True Whig Party, with electoral proceedings that have been called some of the most rigged ever;[44] the winning candidate was declared to have received votes amounting to more than 15 times the number of eligible voters.[45] (The loser actually received around 60% of the eligible vote.)[45]
Soon after, allegations of modern slavery in Liberia led the League of Nations to establish the Christy Commission. Findings included government involvement in widespread "forced or compulsory labour". Minority ethnic groups especially were exploited in a system that enriched well-connected elites.[46] As a result of the report, President Charles D. B. King and Vice President Allen N. Yancy resigned.[47]
In the mid-20th century, Liberia gradually began to modernize with American assistance. During World War II, the United States made major infrastructure improvements to support its military efforts in Africa and Europe against Germany. It built the Freeport of Monrovia and Roberts International Airport under the Lend-Lease program before its entry into the Second World War.[48]
After the war, President William Tubman encouraged foreign investment, with Liberia achieving the second-highest rate of economic growth in the world during the 1950s.[48] In international affairs, it was a founding member of the United Nations, a vocal critic of South African apartheid,[49] a proponent of African independence from European colonial powers, and a supporter of Pan-Africanism. Liberia also helped to fund the Organisation of African Unity.[50]
Late 20th-century political instability
[edit]On April 12, 1980, a military coup led by Master Sergeant Samuel Doe of the Krahn ethnic group overthrew and killed President William R. Tolbert Jr. Doe and the other plotters later executed most of Tolbert's cabinet and other Americo-Liberian government officials and True Whig Party members on a Monrovia beach.[51] The coup leaders formed the People's Redemption Council (PRC) to govern the country.[51] A strategic Cold War ally of the West, Doe received significant financial backing from the United States while critics condemned the PRC for corruption and political repression.[51]
After Liberia adopted a new constitution in 1985, Doe was elected president in subsequent elections that were internationally condemned as fraudulent.[51] On November 12, 1985, a failed coup was launched by Thomas Quiwonkpa, whose soldiers briefly occupied the national radio station.[52] Government repression intensified in response, as Doe's troops responded by executing members of the Gio and Mano ethnic groups in Nimba County.[52]
The National Patriotic Front of Liberia, a rebel group led by Charles Taylor, launched an insurrection in December 1989 against Doe's government with the backing of neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. This triggered the First Liberian Civil War.[53] By September 1990, Doe's forces controlled only a small area just outside the capital, and Doe was captured and executed in that month by rebel forces.[54]
The rebels soon split into conflicting factions. The Economic Community Monitoring Group under the Economic Community of West African States organized an armed intervention.[55] Between 1989 and 1997, around 60,000 to 80,000 Liberians died, and, by 1996, around 700,000 others had been displaced into refugee camps in neighboring countries.[56] A peace deal between warring parties was reached in 1995, leading to Taylor's election as president in 1997.[54]
Under Taylor's leadership, Liberia became a pariah state due to its use of blood diamonds and illegal timber exports to fund the Revolutionary United Front in the Sierra Leone Civil War.[57] The Second Liberian Civil War began in 1999 when Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, a rebel group based in the northwest of the country, launched an armed insurrection against Taylor.[58]
21st century
[edit]In March 2003, a second rebel group, Movement for Democracy in Liberia, began launching attacks against Taylor from the southeast.[58] Peace talks between the factions began in Accra in June of that year, and Taylor was indicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) for crimes against humanity the same month.[57] By July 2003, the rebels had launched an assault on Monrovia.[59] Under heavy pressure from the international community and the domestic Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace movement,[60] Taylor resigned in August 2003 and went into exile in Nigeria.[61] A peace deal was signed later that month.[62]
The United Nations Mission in Liberia began arriving in September 2003 to provide security and monitor the peace accord,[63] and an interim government took power the following October.[64] The subsequent 2005 elections were internationally regarded as the freest and fairest in Liberian history.[65] Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a US-educated economist, former Minister of Finance and future Nobel Prize for Peace winner, was elected as the first female president in Africa.[65] Upon her inauguration, Sirleaf requested the extradition of Taylor from Nigeria and transferred him to the SCSL for trial in The Hague.[66][67]
In 2006, the government established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the causes and crimes of the civil war.[68] In 2011, July 26 was proclaimed by President Sirleaf as National Independence Day.[69] In October 2011, peace activist Leymah Gbowee received the Nobel Peace Prize in her work of leading a women's peace movement that brought to an end to the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003.[70] In November 2011, President Sirleaf was re-elected for a second six-year term.[71]
Following the 2017 Liberian general election, former professional football striker George Weah, considered one of the greatest African players of all time,[72][73] was sworn in as president on January 22, 2018, becoming the fourth youngest serving president in Africa.[74] The inauguration marked Liberia's first fully democratic transition in 74 years.[75] Weah cited fighting corruption, reforming the economy, combating illiteracy, and improving living conditions as the main targets of his presidency.[75] Opposition leader Joseph Boakai defeated Weah in the tightly contested 2023 presidential election.[76] On 22 January 2024, Boakai was sworn in as Liberia's new president.[77]
Geography
[edit]Liberia is situated in West Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean to the country's southwest. It lies between latitudes 4° and 9°N, and longitudes 7° and 12°W.
The landscape is characterized by mostly flat to rolling coastal plains that contain mangroves and swamps, which rise to a rolling plateau and low mountains in the northeast.[78]
Tropical rainforests cover the hills, while elephant grass and semi-deciduous forests make up the dominant vegetation in the northern sections.[78]
Liberia's watershed tends to move in a southwestern pattern toward the sea as new rains move down the forested plateau off the inland mountain range of Guinée Forestière, in Guinea. Cape Mount near the border with Sierra Leone receives the most precipitation in the nation.[78]
Liberia's main northwestern boundary is traversed by the Mano River while its southeast limits are bounded by the Cavalla River.[78] Liberia's three largest rivers are St. Paul exiting near Monrovia, the river St. John at Buchanan, and the Cestos River, all of which flow into the Atlantic. The Cavalla is the longest river in the nation at 320 miles (510 km).[78]
The highest point wholly within Liberia is Mount Wuteve at 4,724 feet (1,440 m) above sea level in the northwestern Liberia range of the West Africa Mountains and the Guinea Highlands.[78] Mount Nimba, near Yekepa, is higher at 1,752 metres (5,748 ft) above sea level, but is not wholly within Liberia as Nimba is located at the point where Liberia borders both Guinea and Ivory Coast. Nimba is thus the tallest mountain in those countries, as well.[79]
Climate
[edit]The equatorial climate, in the south of the country, is hot year-round with heavy rainfall from May to October with a short interlude in mid-July to August.[78] During the winter months of November to March, dry dust-laden harmattan winds blow inland, causing many problems for residents.[78] Climate change in Liberia causes many problems as Liberia is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Like many other countries in Africa, Liberia both faces existing environmental issues, as well as sustainable development challenges.[80] Because of its location in Africa, it is vulnerable to extreme weather, the coastal effects of sea level rise, and changing water systems and water availability.[81] Climate change is expected to severely impact the economy of Liberia, especially agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. Liberia has been an active participant in international and local policy changes related to climate change.[82]
Biodiversity and conservation
[edit]Forests on the coastline are composed mostly of salt-tolerant mangrove trees, while the more sparsely populated inland has forests opening onto a plateau of drier grasslands. The climate is equatorial, with significant rainfall during the May–October rainy season and harsh harmattan winds the remainder of the year. Liberia possesses about forty percent of the remaining Upper Guinean rainforest. It was an important producer of rubber in the early 20th century.[83] Four terrestrial ecoregions lie within Liberia's borders: Guinean montane forests, Western Guinean lowland forests, Guinean forest–savanna mosaic, and Guinean mangroves.[84] It had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 4.79/10, ranking it 116th globally out of 172 countries.[85]
Liberia is a global biodiversity hotspot—a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.[86]
Endangered species are hunted for human consumption as bushmeat in Liberia.[87] Species hunted for food in Liberia include elephants, pygmy hippopotamus, chimpanzees, leopards, duikers, and other monkeys.[87] Bushmeat is often exported to neighboring Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast, despite a ban on the cross-border sale of wild animals.[87]
Bushmeat is widely eaten in Liberia, and is considered a delicacy.[89] A 2004 public opinion survey found that bushmeat ranked second behind fish amongst residents of the capital Monrovia as a preferred source of protein.[89] Of households where bushmeat was served, 80% of residents said they cooked it "once in a while," while 13% cooked it once a week and 7% cooked bushmeat daily.[89] The survey was conducted during the last civil war, and bushmeat consumption is now believed to be far higher.[89]
Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is endemic in some animal hosts here including both domestic and wild.[90] This causes the disease nagana.[90] In pigs here and in Ivory Coast, that includes Tbg group 1. Tbg and its vector Glossina palpalis gambiense are a constant presence in the rainforests here.[90] Much research into Tbg was performed in the 1970s by Mehlitz and by Gibson, both working in Bong Mine with samples from around the country.[90] The West African pariah dog is also a host for Tbg.[90]
The Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria) is a constant presence here.[91]
The Hairy Slit-Faced Bat (Nycteris hispida) suffers from malaria here.[92]
Slash-and-burn agriculture is one of the human activities eroding Liberia's natural forests.[93] A 2004 UN report estimated that 99% of Liberians burned charcoal and fuel wood for cooking and heating, resulting in deforestation.[93]
Illegal logging has increased in Liberia since the end of the Second Civil War in 2003.[86] In 2012, President Sirleaf granted licenses to companies to cut down 58% of all the primary rainforest left in Liberia.[86] After international protests, many of those logging permits were canceled.[86] In September 2014, Liberia and Norway struck an agreement whereby Liberia ceased all logging in exchange for $150 million in development aid.[86]
Pollution is a significant issue in Monrovia.[94] Since 2006, the international community has paid for all garbage collection and disposal in Monrovia via the World Bank.[95]
Administrative divisions
[edit]Liberia is divided into fifteen counties, which, in turn, are subdivided into a total of 90 districts and further subdivided into clans. The oldest counties are Grand Bassa and Montserrado, both founded in 1839 prior to Liberian independence. Gbarpolu is the newest county, created in 2001. Nimba is the largest of the counties in size at 11,551 km2 (4,460 sq mi), while Montserrado is the smallest at 737.069 sq mi (1,909.00 km2).[96] Montserrado is also the most populous county with 1,144,806 residents as of the 2008 census.[96]
The fifteen counties are administered by superintendents appointed by the president. The Constitution calls for the election of various chiefs at the county and local level, but these elections have not taken place since 1985 due to war and financial constraints.[97]
Parallel to the administrative divisions of the country are the local and municipal divisions. Liberia currently does not have any constitutional framework or uniform statutes which deal with the creation or revocation of local governments.[98] All existing local governments—cities, townships, and a borough—were created by specific acts of the Liberian government, and thus the structure and duties/responsibilities of each local government vary greatly from one to the other.[99]
Map # | County | Capital | Population (2022 Census)[100] |
Area (mi2)[96] |
Number of districts |
Date created |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bomi | Tubmanburg | 133,668 | 749 sq mi (1,940 km2) | 4 | 1984 |
2 | Bong | Gbarnga | 467,502 | 3,386 sq mi (8,770 km2) | 12 | 1964 |
3 | Gbarpolu | Bopolu | 95,995 | 3,740 sq mi (9,700 km2) | 6 | 2001 |
4 | Grand Bassa | Buchanan | 293,557 | 3,064 sq mi (7,940 km2) | 8 | 1839 |
5 | Grand Cape Mount | Robertsport | 178,798 | 1,993 sq mi (5,160 km2) | 5 | 1844 |
6 | Grand Gedeh | Zwedru | 216,692 | 4,047 sq mi (10,480 km2) | 3 | 1964 |
7 | Grand Kru | Barclayville | 109,342 | 1,503 sq mi (3,890 km2) | 18 | 1984 |
8 | Lofa | Voinjama | 367,376 | 3,854 sq mi (9,980 km2) | 6 | 1964 |
9 | Margibi | Kakata | 304,946 | 1,010 sq mi (2,600 km2) | 4 | 1985 |
10 | Maryland | Harper | 172,202 | 886 sq mi (2,290 km2) | 2 | 1857 |
11 | Montserrado | Bensonville | 1,920,914 | 737 sq mi (1,910 km2) | 17 | 1839 |
12 | Nimba | Sanniquellie | 621,841 | 4,459 sq mi (11,550 km2) | 6 | 1964 |
13 | Rivercess | River Cess | 90,777 | 2,159 sq mi (5,590 km2) | 7 | 1985 |
14 | River Gee | Fish Town | 124,653 | 1,974 sq mi (5,110 km2) | 6 | 2000 |
15 | Sinoe | Greenville | 150,358 | 3,913 sq mi (10,130 km2) | 17 | 1843 |
Government and politics
[edit]The government of Liberia, modeled on the government of the United States, is a unitary constitutional republic and representative democracy as established by the Constitution. The government has three co-equal branches of government: the executive, headed by the president; the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Legislature of Liberia; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and several lower courts.[1]
The president serves as head of government, head of state, and the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia.[1] Among the president's other duties are to sign or veto legislative bills, grant pardons, and appoint Cabinet members, judges, and other public officials. Together with the vice president, the president is elected to a six-year term by majority vote in a two-round system and can serve up to two terms in office.[1]
The Legislature is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The House, led by a speaker, has 73 members apportioned among the 15 counties on the basis of the national census, with each county receiving a minimum of two members.[1] Each House member represents an electoral district within a county as drawn by the National Elections Commission and is elected by a plurality of the popular vote of their district into a six-year term. The Senate is made up of two senators from each county for a total of 30 senators.[1] Senators serve nine-year terms and are elected at-large by a plurality of the popular vote.[1] The vice president serves as the President of the Senate, with a President pro tempore serving in their absence.[101]
Liberia's highest judicial authority is the Supreme Court, made up of five members and headed by the Chief Justice of Liberia. Members are nominated to the court by the president and are confirmed by the Senate, serving until the age of 70. The judiciary is further divided into circuit and speciality courts, magistrate courts, and justices of the peace.[102] The judicial system is a blend of common law, based on Anglo-American law, and customary law.[1] An informal system of traditional courts still exists within the rural areas of the country, with trial by ordeal remaining common despite being officially outlawed.[102]
From 1877 to 1980, the government was dominated by the True Whig Party.[103] Today, over 20 political parties are registered in the country, based largely around personalities and ethnic groups.[65] Most parties suffer from poor organizational capacity.[65] The 2005 elections marked the first time that the president's party did not gain a majority of seats in the Legislature.[65] According to 2023 V-Dem Democracy indices Liberia is ranked 65th electoral democracy worldwide and 9th electoral democracy in Africa.[104]
Military
[edit]The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) have 2,010 active personnel as of 2023, with most of them organized into the 23rd Infantry Brigade, consisting of two infantry battalions, one engineer company, and one military police company. There is also a small National Coast Guard with 60 personnel and several patrol ships.[105] The AFL used to have an Air Wing, but all of its aircraft and facilities have been out of operation since the civil wars. It is in the process of reactivating its Air Wing with help from the Nigerian Air Force.[106] Liberia has deployed peacekeepers to other countries since 2013 as part of UN or ECOWAS missions, with the largest being an infantry unit in Mali, and smaller numbers of personnel in Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, and South Sudan. About 800 of the AFL's 2,000 personnel have been deployed to Mali in several rotations before the UN mission there ended in December 2023.[107] In 2022 the country had a military budget of US$18.7 million.[105]
The old military was disbanded after the civil wars and entirely rebuilt, starting in 2005, with assistance and funding from the United States. The military assistance program, which became known as Operation Onward Liberty in 2010, provided training with the goal of making the AFL into an apolitical and professional military. The operation ended in 2016, though the Michigan National Guard still continues to work with the AFL as part of the U.S. National Guard's State Partnership Program.[108][109][110]
Liberia is the 69th most peaceful country in the world, according to the 2024 Global Peace Index.[111]
Foreign relations
[edit]After the turmoil following the First and Second Liberian Civil Wars, Liberia's internal stabilization in the 21st century brought a return to cordial relations with neighboring countries and much of the Western world. As in other African countries, China is an important part of the post-conflict reconstruction.[112]
In the past, both of Liberia's neighbors, Guinea and Sierra Leone, have accused Liberia of backing rebels in their countries.[113]
Law enforcement and crime
[edit]The Liberian National Police is the country's national police force. As of October 2007 it has 844 officers in 33 stations in Montserrado County, which contains Monrovia.[114] The National Police Training Academy is in Paynesville City.[115] A history of corruption among police officers diminishes public trust and operational effectiveness. The internal security is characterized by a general lawlessness coupled with the danger that former combatants in the late civil war might reestablish militias to challenge the civil authorities.[116]
Rape and sexual assault are frequent in the post-conflict era in Liberia. Liberia has one of the highest incidences of sexual violence against women in the world. Rape is the most frequently reported crime, accounting for more than one-third of sexual violence cases. Adolescent girls are the most frequently assaulted, and almost 40% of perpetrators are adult men known to victims.[117]
Both male and female homosexuality are illegal in Liberia.[118][119] On July 20, 2012, the Liberian senate voted unanimously to enact legislation to prohibit and criminalize same-sex marriages.[120]
Corruption
[edit]Corruption is endemic at every level of the Liberian government.[121] When President Sirleaf took office in 2006, she announced that corruption was "the major public enemy."[113] In 2014, the US ambassador to Liberia said that corruption there was harming people through "unnecessary costs to products and services that are already difficult for many Liberians to afford".[122]
Liberia scored a 3.3 on a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt) on the 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index. This gave it a ranking 87th of 178 countries worldwide and 11th of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa.[123] This score represented a significant improvement since 2007, when the country scored 2.1 and ranked 150th of 180 countries.[124] When dealing with public-facing government functionaries, 89% of Liberians say they have had to pay a bribe, the highest national percentage in the world according to the organization's 2010 Global Corruption Barometer.[125]
Economy
[edit]The Central Bank of Liberia is responsible for printing and maintaining the Liberian dollar, Liberia's primary currency (the United States dollar is also legal tender in Liberia).[128] Liberia is one of the world's poorest countries, with a formal employment rate of 15%.[102] GDP per capita peaked in 1980 at US$496, (~$1,834 in 2023) when it was comparable to Egypt's (at the time).[129] In 2011, the country's nominal GDP was US$1.154 billion, while nominal GDP per capita stood at US$297, the third-lowest in the world.[130] Historically the Liberian economy has depended heavily on foreign aid, foreign direct investment and exports of natural resources such as iron ore, rubber, and timber.[78]
Trends
[edit]Following a peak in growth in 1979, the Liberian economy began a steady decline due to economic mismanagement after the 1980 coup.[131] This decline was accelerated by the outbreak of civil war in 1989; GDP was reduced by an estimated 90% between 1989 and 1995, one of the fastest declines in modern history.[131] Upon the end of the war in 2003, GDP growth began to accelerate, reaching 9.4% in 2007.[132] In 2009, during the Great Recession GDP growth slowed to 4.6%,[132] though a strengthening agricultural sector led by rubber and timber exports increased growth to 5.1% in 2010 and an expected 7.3% in 2011, making the economy one of the 20 fastest-growing in the world.[133][134]
Current impediments to growth include a small domestic market, lack of adequate infrastructure, high transportation costs, poor trade links with neighboring countries, and the high dollarization of the economy.[133] Liberia used the United States dollar as its currency from 1943 until 1982 and continues to use the U.S. dollar alongside the Liberian dollar.[135]
Following a decrease in inflation beginning in 2003, inflation spiked in 2008 as a result of worldwide food and energy crises,[136] reaching 17.5% before declining to 7.4% in 2009.[132] Liberia's external debt was estimated in 2006 at approximately $4.5 billion, 800% of GDP.[131] As a result of bilateral, multilateral and commercial debt relief from 2007 to 2010, the country's external debt fell to $222.9 million by 2011.[137]
While official commodity exports declined during the 1990s as many investors fled the civil war, Liberia's wartime economy featured the exploitation of the region's diamond wealth.[138] The country acted as a major trader in Sierra Leonian blood diamonds, exporting over US$300 million (~$516 million in 2023) in diamonds in 1999.[139] This led to a United Nations ban on Liberian diamond exports in 2001, which was lifted in 2007 following Liberia's accession to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.[140]
In 2003, additional UN sanctions were placed on Liberian timber exports, which had risen from US$5 million in 1997 to over US$100 million in 2002 and were believed to be funding rebels in Sierra Leone.[141][142] These sanctions were lifted in 2006.[143] Due in large part to foreign aid and investment inflow following the end of the war, Liberia maintains a large account deficit, which peaked at nearly 60% in 2008.[133] Liberia gained observer status with the World Trade Organization in 2010 and became an official member in 2016.[144]
Liberia has the highest ratio of foreign direct investment to GDP in the world, with US$16 billion (~$23.3 billion in 2023) in investment since 2006.[134] Following Sirleaf's inauguration in 2006, Liberia signed several multi-billion-dollar concession agreements in the iron ore and palm oil industries with numerous multinational corporations, including ArcelorMittal, BHP and Sime Darby.[145] Palm oil companies like Sime Darby (Malaysia) and Golden Veroleum (USA) have been accused of destroying livelihoods and displacing local communities, enabled by government concessions.[146] Since 1926 Firestone has operated the world's largest rubber plantation in Harbel, Margibi County. As of 2015, it had more than 8,000 mostly Liberian employees, making it the country's largest private employer.[147][148]
In September 2024 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that its executive board approved a financial arrangement of approximately $210 million for Liberia. The approval includes an immediate disbursement of around $8 million. This arrangement is aimed at supporting Liberia's economic recovery and addressing fiscal challenges.[149]
Shipping flag of convenience
[edit]Due to its status as a flag of convenience, Liberia has the second-largest maritime registry in the world behind Panama. It has 3,500 vessels registered under its flag, accounting for 11% of ships worldwide.[126][127]
Major industries
[edit]Agriculture
[edit]Agriculture in Liberia is a major sector of the country's economy worth 38.8% of GDP, employing more than 70% of the population and providing a valuable export for one of the world's least developed countries (as defined by the UN).[150][151][152][153] Liberia has a climate favourable to farming, vast forests, and an abundance of water, yet low yields mean that over half of foodstuffs are imported, with net agricultural trade at -$73.12 million in 2010.[154] This was dismissed as a "misconception" by Liberia's Minister of Agriculture.[155]
The major crops are natural rubber, rice, cassava,[156][157] bananas and palm oil.[157] Timber is also a major export at $100 million annually, although much of this is the product of unsustainable habitat destruction, with Asian corporations criticised for their role.[152] Although agricultural activity occurs in most rural locations, it is particularly concentrated in coastal plains (subsistence crops) and tropical forest (cash crops). The sector is very important for women as they are widely employed in it in comparison to the economy as a whole.[158]Mining
[edit]The mining industry of Liberia has witnessed a revival after the civil war which ended in 2003.[159] Gold, diamonds, and iron ore form the core minerals of the mining sector with a new Mineral Development Policy and Mining Code being put in place to attract foreign investments.[160] In 2013, the mineral sector accounted for 11% of GDP in the country and the World Bank projected a further increase in the sector by 2017.[161]
Mining sector is considered the prime mover for the economic growth of the country and its exploitation has to be appropriately balanced with sustainable environmental preservation of its rich biodiversity.[162] Apart from iron ore extractions, cement, diamond, gold, and petroleum resources have also been given due importance to enrich the economy of the country.Telecommunications
[edit]There are six major newspapers in Liberia, and 65% of the population has a mobile phone service. Much of Liberia's communications infrastructure was destroyed or plundered during the two civil wars (1989–1996 and 1999–2003).[163] With low rates of adult literacy and high poverty rates, television and newspaper use is limited, leaving radio as the predominant means of communicating with the public.[164]
Transportation
[edit]Energy
[edit]Public electricity services are provided solely by the state-owned Liberia Electricity Corporation, which operates a small grid almost exclusively in the Greater Monrovia District.[167] The vast majority of electric energy services is provided by small, privately owned generators. At $0.54 per kWh, the cost of electricity in Liberia is among the highest in the world. Total capacity in 2013 was 20 MW, a sharp decline from a peak of 191 MW in 1989 before the wars.[167]
The repair and expansion of the Mount Coffee Hydropower Project, with a maximum capacity of 80 MW, was completed in 2018.[168] Construction of three new heavy fuel oil power plants is expected to boost electrical capacity by 38 MW.[169] In 2013, Liberia began importing power from neighboring Ivory Coast and Guinea through the West African Power Pool.[170]
Liberia has begun exploration for offshore oil; unproven oil reserves may be in excess of one billion barrels.[171] The government divided its offshore waters into 17 blocks and began auctioning off exploration licenses for the blocks in 2004, with further auctions in 2007 and 2009.[172][173][174] An additional 13 ultra-deep offshore blocks were demarcated in 2011 and planned for auction.[175] Among the companies to have won licenses are Repsol YPF, Chevron Corporation, and Woodside Petroleum.[176]
Demographics
[edit]As of the 2017 national census, Liberia was home to 4,694,608 people.[179] Of those, 1,118,241 lived in Montserrado County, the most populous county in the country and location of the capital Monrovia. The Greater Monrovia District has 970,824 residents.[180] Nimba County is the next most populous county, with 462,026 residents.[180] As revealed in the 2008 census, Monrovia is more than four times more populous than all the county capitals combined.[96]
Prior to the 2008 census, the last census had been taken in 1984 and listed the country's population as 2,101,628.[180] The population of Liberia was 1,016,443 in 1962 and increased to 1,503,368 in 1974.[96] As of 2006[update], Liberia had the highest population growth rate in the world (4.50% per annum).[181] In 2010 some 43.5% of Liberians were below the age of 15.[178]
Rank | Name | County | Pop. | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Monrovia |
1 | Monrovia | Montserrado | 1,021,762 | Ganta | ||||
2 | Gbarnga | Bong | 56,986 | ||||||
3 | Buchanan | Grand Bassa | 50,245 | ||||||
4 | Ganta | Nimba | 42,077 | ||||||
5 | Kakata | Margibi | 34,608 | ||||||
6 | Zwedru | Grand Gedeh | 25,349 | ||||||
7 | Harbel | Margibi | 25,309 | ||||||
8 | Harper | Maryland | 23,517 | ||||||
9 | Pleebo | Maryland | 23,464 | ||||||
10 | Foya | Lofa | 20,569 |
Ethnic groups
[edit]The population includes 16 indigenous ethnic groups and various foreign minorities. Indigenous peoples comprise about 95 percent of the population. The 16 officially recognized ethnic groups include the Kpelle, Bassa, Mano, Gio or Dan, Kru, Grebo, Krahn, Vai, Gola, Mandingo or Mandinka, Mende, Kissi, Gbandi, Loma, Dei or Dewoin, Belleh, and Americo-Liberians (or Congo people[a]).[citation needed]
The Kpelle comprise more than 20% of the population and are the largest ethnic group in Liberia, residing mostly in Bong County and adjacent areas in central Liberia.[182] Americo-Liberians, who are descendants of African American and West Indian, mostly Barbadian (Bajan) settlers, make up 2.5%. Congo people, descendants of repatriated Congo and Afro-Caribbean slaves who arrived in 1825, make up an estimated 2.5%.[1][183][better source needed] These latter two groups established political control in the 19th century which they kept well into the 20th century.
The Liberian constitution exercises jus sanguinis, which means it usually restricts its citizenship to "Negroes or persons of Negro descent."[184] That being said, numerous immigrants have come as merchants and become a major part of the business community, including Lebanese, Indians, and other West African nationals. There is a high prevalence of interracial marriage between ethnic Liberians and the Lebanese, resulting in a significant mixed-race population especially in and around Monrovia. A small minority of Liberians who are White Africans of European descent reside in the country.[better source needed][1]
Languages
[edit]English is the official language and serves as the lingua franca of Liberia.[185] As of 2022, 27 indigenous languages are spoken in Liberia, but each is a first language for only a small percentage of the population.[186] Liberians also speak a variety of creolized dialects collectively known as Liberian English.[185]
Religion
[edit]According to the 2008 National Census, 85.6% of the population practiced Christianity, while Muslims represented a minority of 12.2%.[188] A multitude of diverse Protestant confessions such as Lutheran, Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, United Methodist, African Methodist Episcopal (AME) and African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) denominations form the bulk of the Christian population, followed by adherents of the Catholic Church and other non-Protestant Christians. Most of these Christian denominations were brought by African-American settlers moving from the United States into Liberia via the American Colonization Society, while some are indigenous—especially Pentecostal and evangelical Protestant ones. Protestantism was originally associated with Black American settlers and their Americo-Liberian descendants, while native peoples initially held to their own animist forms of African traditional religion before largely adopting Christianity. While Christian, many Liberians also participate in traditional, gender-based indigenous religious secret societies, such as Poro for men and Sande for women. The all-female Sande society practices female circumcision.[189]
Muslims comprised 12.2% of the population in 2008, largely represented by the Mandingo and Vai ethnic groups. Liberian Muslims are divided between Sunnis, Shias, Ahmadiyyas, Sufis, and non-denominational Muslims.[190]
In 2008, 0.5% identified adherence to traditional indigenous religions, while 1.5% claimed no religion. A small number of people were Baháʼí, Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist.
The Liberian constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the government generally respects this right.[189] While separation of church and state is mandated by the Constitution, Liberia is considered a Christian state in practice.[65] Public schools offer biblical studies, though parents may opt their children out. Commerce is prohibited by law on Sunday and major Christian holidays. The government does not require businesses or schools to excuse Muslims for Friday prayers.[189]
Education
[edit]In 2010, the literacy rate of Liberia was estimated at 60.8% (64.8% for males and 56.8% for females).[191] In some areas primary and secondary education is free and compulsory from the ages of 6 to 16, though enforcement of attendance is lax.[192] In other areas children are required to pay a tuition fee to attend school. On average, children attain 10 years of education (11 for boys and 8 for girls).[1] The country's education sector is hampered by inadequate schools and supplies, as well as a lack of qualified teachers.[193]
Higher education is provided by a number of public and private universities. The University of Liberia is the country's largest and oldest university. Located in Monrovia, the university opened in 1862. Today it has six colleges, including a medical school and the nation's only law school, Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law.[194]
In 2009, Tubman University in Harper, Maryland County was established as the second public university in Liberia.[195] Since 2006, the government has also opened community colleges in Buchanan, Sanniquellie, and Voinjama.[196][197][198]
Due to student protests late in October 2018, newly elected president George Weah abolished tuition fees for undergraduate students in public universities in Liberia.[199]
Private universities
[edit]- Cuttington University was established by the Episcopal Church of the USA in 1889 in Suakoko, Bong County, as part of its missionary education work among indigenous peoples. It is the nation's oldest private university.
- Stella Maris Polytechnic, a post-secondary, private institution of higher learning. Founded in 1988, the school is owned and operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia. Located on Capitol Hill, the school has approximately 2,000 students.[200]
- Adventist University of West Africa, a post-secondary learning environment that is situated in Margibi County, on the Roberts International Airport.[201]
- United Methodist University, a private Christian university located in Liberia, West Africa, is commonly known amongst locals as UMU. As of 2016, it had approximately 9,118 students. This institution was founded in 1998.[202]
- African Methodist Episcopal University, a private higher education institution that was founded in 1995.[203]
- Starz University, is a private higher education institution that was established in the United States in 2007, and became incorporated in Monrovia, 2009; with the objective of addressing the Information Technology(IT) need of Liberia.[204]
- St. Clements University College (Liberia), a private higher education institution that was founded in 2008.[205]
Health
[edit]Hospitals in Liberia include the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia and several others. Life expectancy in Liberia is estimated to be 64.4 years in 2020.[206] With a fertility rate of 5.9 births per woman, the maternal mortality rate stood at 990 per 100,000 births in 2010, and 1,072 per 100,000 births in 2017.[207][208] A number of highly communicable diseases are widespread, including tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases and malaria. In 2007, the HIV infection rates stood at 2% of the population aged 15–49[209] whereas the incidence of tuberculosis was 420 per 100,000 people in 2008.[210] Approximately 58.2%[211] – 66%[212] of women are estimated to have undergone female genital mutilation.
Liberia imports 90% of its rice, a staple food, and is extremely vulnerable to food shortages.[213] In 2007, 20.4% of children under the age of five were malnourished.[214] In 2008, only 17% of the population had access to adequate sanitation facilities.[215]
Approximately 95% of the country's healthcare facilities had been destroyed by the time civil war ended in 2003.[216] In 2009, government expenditure on health care per capita was US$22, (~$30.00 in 2023) [217] accounting for 10.6% of total GDP.[218] In 2008, Liberia had only one doctor and 27 nurses per 100,000 people.[210]
In 2014, an outbreak of Ebola virus in Guinea spread to Liberia.[219] As of November 17, 2014[update], there were 2,812 confirmed deaths from the ongoing outbreak.[220] In early August 2014 Guinea closed its borders to Liberia to help contain the spread of the virus, as more new cases were being reported in Liberia than in Guinea. On May 9, 2015, Liberia was declared Ebola free after six weeks with no new cases.[221]
According to an Overseas Development Institute report, private health expenditure accounts for 64.1% of total spending on health.[222]
With a score of 31.9 in the 2024 Global Hunger Index, Liberia has a level of hunger that is serious.[223]
Culture
[edit]The religious practices, social customs, and cultural standards of the Americo-Liberians had their roots in the antebellum American South. The settlers wore top hat and tails and modeled their homes on those of Southern slaveowners.[224] Most Americo-Liberian men were members of the Masonic Order of Liberia, which became heavily involved in the nation's politics.[citation needed]
Liberia has a rich history in textile arts and quilting, as the settlers brought with them their sewing and quilting skills. Liberia hosted National Fairs in 1857 and 1858 in which prizes were awarded for various needle arts. One of the most well-known Liberian quilters was Martha Ann Ricks,[225] who presented a quilt featuring the famed Liberian coffee tree to Queen Victoria in 1892. When President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf moved into the Executive Mansion, she reportedly had a Liberian-made quilt installed in her presidential office.[226]
A rich literary tradition has existed in Liberia for over a century. Edward Wilmot Blyden, Bai T. Moore, Roland T. Dempster and Wilton G. S. Sankawulo are among Liberia's more prominent authors.[227] Moore's novella Murder in the Cassava Patch is considered Liberia's most celebrated novel.[228]
Media
[edit]Polygamy
[edit]One-third of married Liberian women between the ages of 15–49 are in polygamous marriages.[229] Customary law allows men to have up to four wives.[230]
Cuisine
[edit]Liberian cuisine heavily incorporates rice, the country's staple food. Other ingredients include cassava, fish, bananas, citrus fruit, plantains, coconut, okra and sweet potatoes.[231] Heavy stews spiced with habanero and scotch bonnet chilies are popular and eaten with fufu.[232] Liberia also has a tradition of baking imported from the United States that is unique in West Africa.[233]
Sport
[edit]The most popular sport in Liberia is association football, with former President George Weah being the nation's most famous athlete. He is so far the only African to be named FIFA World Player of the Year.[234][235] The Liberia national football team has reached the Africa Cup of Nations finals twice, in 1996 and 2002.
The second most popular sport in Liberia is basketball. The Liberian national basketball team has reached the AfroBasket twice, in 1983 and 2007.
In Liberia, the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex serves as a multi-purpose stadium. It hosts FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in addition to international concerts and national political events.[236]
Measurement system
[edit]Liberia has not yet completely adopted the International System of Units (abbreviated as the SI, also called the metric system). The Liberian government has begun transitioning away from use of United States customary units to the metric system.[237][better source needed] This change has been gradual, with government reports concurrently using United States Customary and metric units.[238][239] In 2018, the Liberian Commerce and Industry Minister announced that the Liberian government is committed to adopting the metric system.[240]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ So named because many immigrants including those freed from slave ships arrived from ports at the mouth of the Congo River
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Further reading
[edit]- Cooper, Helene, House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood (Simon & Schuster, 2008, ISBN 0743266242)
- Gilbert, Erik; Reynolds, Jonathan T (October 2003). Africa in World History, From Prehistory to the Present (Paperback ed.). Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0130929075.
- Greene, Barbara (1991). Too Late to Turn Back. Penguin. ISBN 0140095942.
- Greene, Graham (1936). Journey Without Maps. Vintage. ISBN 978-0099282235.
- Hetherington, Tim (2009). Long Story Bit By Bit: Liberia Retold. New York: Umbrage. ISBN 978-1884167737.
- Huffman, Alan (2004). Mississippi in Africa: The Saga of the Slaves of Prospect Hill Plantation and Their Legacy in Liberia Today. Gotham Books. ISBN 978-1592400447.
- Kraaij, Fred; van der (2015). Liberia : From the Love of Liberty to Paradise Lost. African Studies Centre, Leiden. ISBN 978-9054481447. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- Lang, Victoria, To Liberia: Destiny's Timing (Publish America, Baltimore, 2004, ISBN 1413718299). Novel of the journey of a young Black couple fleeing America to settle in the African motherland of Liberia.
- Maksik, Alexander, A Marker to Measure Drift (John Murray 2013; Paperback 2014; ISBN 978-1848548077). A novel about a young woman's experience of and escape from the Liberian civil war.
- Merriam Webster's Geographical Dictionary: third Edition (Paperback ed.). Springfield: Merriam Webster Inc. 1997. ISBN 0877795460.
- Mwakikagile, Godfrey, Military Coups in West Africa Since The Sixties, Chapter Eight: Liberia: 'The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here,' pp. 85–110, Nova Science Publishers, Inc., Huntington, New York, 2001; Godfrey Mwakikagile, The Modern African State: Quest for Transformation, Chapter One: The Collapse of A Modern African State: Death and Rebirth of Liberia, pp. 1–18, Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2001.
- Pham, John-Peter (2001). Liberia: Portrait of a Failed State. Reed Press. ISBN 1594290121.
- Sankawulo, Wilton, Great Tales of Liberia. Dr. Sankawulo is the compiler of these tales from Liberia and about Liberian culture. Editura Universității "Lucian Blaga", Sibiu, Romania, 2004. ISBN 978-9736518386.
- Sankawulo, Wilton, Sundown at Dawn: A Liberian Odyssey. Recommended by the Cultural Resource Center, Center for Applied Linguistics for its content concerning Liberian culture. ISBN 0976356503
- Shaw, Elma, Redemption Road: The Quest for Peace and Justice in Liberia (a novel), with a foreword by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Cotton Tree Press, 2008, ISBN 978-0980077407)
- Williams, Gabriel I. H. (2006). Liberia: The Heart of Darkness. Trafford Publishing. ISBN 1553692942.
External links
[edit]- Chief of State and Cabinet Members Archived October 17, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
- Liberia Archived March 19, 2021, at the Wayback Machine. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency.
- Liberia from UCB Libraries GovPubs.
- Liberia
- Economic Community of West African States
- Countries and territories where English is an official language
- Least developed countries
- Member states of the African Union
- Republics
- States and territories established in 1847
- Member states of the United Nations
- West African countries
- 1847 establishments in Liberia
- Countries in Africa
- American colonization movement