Providence Island is situated between Mesurado River and Stockton creek, can be described as an interesting period in the history of Liberia and is very symbolic as a testament of how freed slaves forged nationhood out of their forced calamity upon gaining freedom when slavery was abolished. The interior has hot but pleasant days and cool nights during the dry season. It has a population of around 5 million and covers an area of 43,000 square miles (111,369km2). [60] In 2011, July 26 was proclaimed by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to be observed as National Independence Day. [158] Of those, 1,118,241 lived in Montserrado County, the most populous county in the country and home to the capital of Monrovia. The map can be downloaded, printed, and used for educational purposes or coloring. [186][187] A number of highly communicable diseases are widespread, including tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases and malaria. [citation needed] 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. [15], Microlithic industries with ceramics became common by the Mid-Holocene, coupled with an apparent intensification of wild food exploitation. Four physiographic regions run nearly parallel to the Atlantic coast of the country. "Gender Roles, Marriage and Family", Economic Community of West African States, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, highest population growth rate in the world, Omnibus Foreign Trade and Competitiveness Act, "World Economic Outlook Database, October 2022", "July 26, 1847 Liberian independence proclaimed", Liberia: History, Geography, Government, and Culture, "Praise for the woman who put Liberia back on its feet", "Liberians: An Introduction to their History and Culture", "A quantitative analysis of Liberian colonization from 1820 to 1843 with special reference to mortality", "Address on Colonization to a Deputation of Negroes", "These Abandoned Buildings Are the Last Remnants of Liberia's Founding History", "How a former slave gave a quilt to Queen Victoria", "Frontline/World Liberia No More War Liberia's Historic Ties to America PBS", "Independent Lens Iron Ladies of Liberia Liberian History PBS", Elections Chief Hints Slashing Numbers of Mushrooming Parties for 2005 Polls, "Elections history in Africa's oldest democratic republic: Liberia", "Commission's Report: International Commission of Enquiry in Liberia", "Pan-Africanism Revisited: Vision and Reality of African Unity and Development", "Liberia and the United States: A Complex Relationship", "Liberia's civil war: Fiddling while Monrovia burns", "Profile: Leymah Gbowee Liberia's 'peace warrior', "Taylor resigns as president of Liberia, leaves the country", "Liberia: UNMIL extends deployment as more troops arrive", United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, "LiberiaNigeria: "Time to bring Taylor issue to closure," says Sirleaf", "Taylor Sent Off to Face War Crimes Charges", "War-battered nation launches truth commission", "Tuesday, July 26, is National Independence Day; to be Observed as National Holiday", "Sirleaf seen winning Liberia run-off vote", "From Football King To Liberian President George Weah's Journey", "Top 10 youngest serving presidents in Africa, 2018", "George Weah sworn in as Liberia's president", "Building effective climate governance in Liberia Liberia", "Multinational Investment and the Development of an Export Industry: Rubber in Liberia", "An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm", "Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity Supplementary Material", "Poaching in Liberia's Forests Threatens Rare Animals", 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T10032A18567171.en, "Extinction is forever: A crisis that is Liberia's endangered wildlife", "The elimination of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense? [16], This influx of these groups was compounded by the decline of the Mali Empire in 1375 and the Songhai Empire in 1591. [1] The country's education sector is hampered by inadequate schools and supplies, as well as a lack of qualified teachers. Like many other countries in Africa, Liberia both faces existing environmental issues, as well as sustainable development challenges. [148] In 2013, Liberia began importing power from neighboring Ivory Coast and Guinea through the West African Power Pool. Name the major rivers of Liberia. [217][218] In 2018, the Liberian Commerce and Industry Minister announced that the Liberian government is committed to adopting the metric system.[219]. The presence of Oldowan Earlier Stone Age (earliest ESA) artifacts in West Africa has been confirmed by Michael Omolewa, attesting to the presence of ancient humans. [76] After international protests, many of those logging permits were canceled. [164], According to the 2008 National Census, 85.6% of the population practiced Christianity, while Muslims represented a minority of 12.2%. [39], In the mid-20th century, Liberia gradually began to modernize with American assistance. )[37], Soon after, allegations of modern slavery in Liberia led the League of Nations to establish the Christy commission. Outsiders' knowledge of the west of Africa began with a Portuguese sailor, Pedro de Sintra, who reached the Liberian coast in 1461. [121][122] These sanctions were lifted in 2006. Category:Capes of Liberia - Wikimedia Commons Many treessuch as red ironwood, camwood, whismore, teak, and mahoganyare valuable, but occur with other species, preventing easy harvest. Providence Island - UNESCO World Heritage Centre [50], In March 2003, a second rebel group, Movement for Democracy in Liberia, began launching attacks against Taylor from the southeast. [206], One-third of married Liberian women between the ages of 1549 are in polygamous marriages. Includes 99 Liberia mountains. 1820 to 1847 | History Of Liberia: A Time Line | Articles and Essays Guinea, Cote D'Ivoire, Sierra Leone. Liberia is situated in West Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean to the country's southwest. Official Name: Republic of Liberia Location: West Africa coast between Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cte d'Ivoire, and the Atlantic Ocean Population: 5,057,681 (as of 2020) Land Area: 43,000 square miles (111,369 square kilometres) Capital: Monrovia Official Language: English Form of Government: Unitary presidential constitutional republic [68] 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. "China and Liberia: Engagement in a Post-Conflict Country 20032013". In 1980, political tensions from the rule of William R. Tolbert resulted in a military coup during which Tolbert was killed, marking the end of Americo-Liberian rule in the country and beginning over two decades of political instability. The coastal plains are about 350 miles (560 km) long and extend up to 25 miles (40 km) inland. [111] 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. This triggered the First Liberian Civil War. [164] As of 2022, 27 indigenous languages are spoken in Liberia, but each is a first language for only a small percentage of the population. Pages in category "Islands of Liberia" The following 2 pages are in this category, out of 2 total. [68] During the winter months of November to March, dry dust-laden harmattan winds blow inland, causing many problems for residents. James Monroe (for whom it was named) by the American Colonization Society as a settlement for freed American slaves. As of 2016, it had approximately 9,118 students. 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. In 2008, 0.5% identified adherence to traditional indigenous religions, while 1.5% claimed no religion. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. [134], The mining industry of Liberia has witnessed a revival after the civil war which ended in 2003. [1] Senators serve nine-year terms and are elected at-large by a plurality of the popular vote. [44] Government repression intensified in response, as Doe's troops retaliated by executing members of the Gio and Mano ethnic groups in Nimba County. [24], The Americo-Liberian settlers did not relate well to the indigenous peoples they encountered, especially those in communities of the more isolated "bush". Liberia also helped to fund the Organisation of African Unity. 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 (so named because many immigrants including those freed from slave ships arrived from ports at the mouth of the Congo River). [69], 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. The Senate is made up of two senators from each county for a total of 30 senators. Liberias terrain ranges from the low and sandy coastal plains to rolling hills and dissected plateau further inland. [bettersourceneeded][1], English is the official language and serves as the lingua franca of Liberia. Located on Capitol Hill, the school has approximately 2,000 students. (2007). [115], Following a decrease in inflation beginning in 2003, inflation spiked in 2008 as a result of worldwide food and energy crises,[116] reaching 17.5% before declining to 7.4% in 2009. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Liberia began in the early 19th century as a project of the American Colonization Society (ACS), which believed black people would face better chances for freedom and prosperity in Africa than in the United States. The Farmington River is a source of hydroelectric power. 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. Liberia is the only Black state in Africa never subjected to colonial rule and is Africas oldest republic. Between 1461 and the late 17th century, Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders had contacts and trading posts in the region. In 1824 the territory was named Liberia, and its main settlement was named Monrovia, which is the present-day capital. [80] In pigs here and in Ivory Coast, that includes Tbg group 1. Monrovia is the largest and capital city of Liberia. As the nation's primate city, Monrovia is the country's economic, financial and cultural center; its economy is primarily centered on . Liberia has been an active participant in international and local policy changes related to climate change. 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. [172], Higher education is provided by a number of public and private universities. Updates? For a treatment of earlier periods and of the country in its regional context, see western Africa. Founded in 1988, the school is owned and operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia. Next is the region of rolling hills about 32 km wide and an average elevation of 90 m. Beyond that is a dissected plateau with scattered mountains. However, Lincoln in 1862 described Liberia as only "in a certain sensea success", and proposed instead that free people of color be assisted to emigrate to Chiriqu, today part of Panama. [202] Most Americo-Liberian men were members of the Masonic Order of Liberia, which became heavily involved in the nation's politics. Quakers believed black people would face better chances for freedom in Africa than in the U.S.[7][19] While slaveholders opposed freedom for enslaved people, some viewed "repatriation" of free people of color as a way to avoid slave rebellions. [29] 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. Liberia's Latitude is 6.428055 and Longitude is -9.429499. [208], Liberian cuisine heavily incorporates rice, the country's staple food. The first town (1822) was on Providence Island at the mouth of the Mesurado River. Adolescent girls are the most frequently assaulted, and almost 40% of perpetrators are adult men known to victims. There are several unique species of bats and birds, and scorpions, lizards, and fish are numerous. For most of the 194189 period, training was largely provided by U.S. advisors, with combat experience in the Second World War also playing a role in training. The lowest point of the country is the Atlantic Ocean at 0m. While Christian, many Liberians also participate in traditional, gender-based indigenous religious secret societies, such as Poro for men and Sande for women. Members are nominated to the court by the president and are confirmed by the Senate, serving until the age of 70. [35], 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;[36] the winning candidate was declared to have received votes amounting to more than 15 times the number of eligible voters. [168], In 2010, the literacy rate of Liberia was estimated at 60.8% (64.8% for males and 56.8% for females). [111] 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. These 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%. [26][27] On August 24, Liberia adopted its 11-striped national flag. [106][107], 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). What are the six major rivers of Liberia and their location? Based on the political principles of the United States Constitution, it established the independent Republic of Liberia. List of rivers of Liberia - Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core This list is arranged by drainage basin, with respective tributaries indented under each larger stream's name. 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. [118] The country acted as a major trader in Sierra Leonian blood diamonds, exporting over US$300 million in diamonds in 1999. [120], 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. Liberias rainforest used to abound with animals such as monkeys, chimpanzees, small antelopes, pygmy hippopotamuses, and anteaters. As of 2015, it had more than 8,000 mostly Liberian employees, making it the country's largest private employer. [81], The Hairy Slit-Faced Bat (Nycteris hispida) suffers from malaria here. The Liberian constitution exercises jus sanguinis, which means it usually restricts its citizenship to "Negroes or persons of Negro descent. The population is composed . Nimba is the largest of the counties in size at 11,551km2 (4,460sqmi), while Montserrado is the smallest at 737.069sqmi (1,909.00km2). Gbarpolu is the newest county, created in 2001. What are the major mountains of Liberia and their location? GeoNames ID. [204], A rich literary tradition has existed in Liberia for over a century. Map of the world's second-largest and second-most-populous continent, located on the African continental plate. There is a high percentage of interracial marriage between ethnic Liberians and the Lebanese, resulting in a significant mixed-race population especially in and around Monrovia. [98][99] On July 20, 2012, the Liberian senate voted unanimously to enact legislation to prohibit and criminalize same-sex marriages. Give their locations, and length in miles. Monrovia | Location, History, & Facts | Britannica Liberian independence was proclaimed in 1847, and its boundaries were expanded. 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 both the conference and the founding of the League. [92], In the past, both of Liberia's neighbors, Guinea and Sierra Leone, have accused Liberia of backing rebels in their countries. [20][21] 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. [75], Liberia is a global biodiversity hotspota significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. [154] Among the companies to have won licenses are Repsol YPF, Chevron Corporation, and Woodside Petroleum. Town of Monrovia 1827 [124], Liberia has the highest ratio of foreign direct investment to GDP in the world, with US$16 billion in investment since 2006. [86], Prior to the 2008 census, the last census had been taken in 1984 and listed the country's population as 2,101,628. Sapo National Park, established in 1983 in the countrys southeast, was expanded in 2003 to encompass an area of some 700 square miles (1,800 square km). Liberia currently does not have any constitutional framework or uniform statutes which deal with the creation or revocation of local governments. 2278117. Encounters with tribal Africans in the bush often became violent. [63], Following the 2017 Liberian general election, former professional football striker George Weah, one of the greatest African players of all time,[64][65] was sworn in as president on January 22, 2018, becoming the fourth youngest serving president in Africa. Liberian independence was proclaimed in 1847, and its boundaries were expanded. However, over the years the two groups joined and the terms "Americo -Liberian" and "Congo" were used interchangeably. [185] 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. Commerce is prohibited by law on Sunday and major Christian holidays. km, Nimba is the largest country and Montserrado is the most populous one. [90], From 1877 to 1980, the government was dominated by the True Whig Party. The colonial settlements were raided by the Kru and Grebo, from their inland chiefdoms. The oldest counties are Grand Bassa and Montserrado, both founded in 1839 prior to Liberian independence. [216] However, this change has been gradual, with government reports concurrently using both United States Customary and metric units. Liberia is bounded by Sierra Leone to the northwest, Guinea to the north, Cte dIvoire to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west. [54], The United Nations Mission in Liberia began arriving in September 2003 to provide security and monitor the peace accord,[55] [68], Liberia's main northwestern boundary is traversed by the Mano River while its southeast limits are bounded by the Cavalla River. 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [133] This was dismissed as a "misconception" by Liberia's Minister of Agriculture. Liberia hosted National Fairs in 1857 and 1858 in which prizes were awarded for various needle arts. [50] Peace talks between the factions began in Accra in June of that year, and Taylor was indicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone for crimes against humanity the same month. [1][162][bettersourceneeded] These latter two groups established political control in the 19th century which they kept well into the 20th century. Liberia - Encyclopedia of the Nations August 9, 2012. Please read the. [citation needed], 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. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). [45] 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. Liberia imports 90% of its rice, a staple food, and is extremely vulnerable to food shortages. The population includes 16 indigenous ethnic groups and various foreign minorities. They are low and sandy, with miles of beaches interspersed with bar-enclosed lagoons, mangrove swamps, and a few rocky promontoriesthe highest being Cape Mount (about 1,000 feet [305 metres] in elevation) in the northwest, Cape Mesurado in Monrovia, and Cape Palmas in the southeast. [72], 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. Retrieved October 29, 2013, Marc DuBois and Caitlin Wake, with Scarlett Sturridge and Christina Bennett (2015). [51] Waterfalls, rapids, rocks, and sandbanks occur frequently in upstream sections of most rivers, inhibiting river traffic, and limiting navigation inland to short distances. The country's major rivers include the Mano River in the northwest and the Cavalla River in the southeast. The 2000s saw an expansion of protected regions in Liberia, with new and enlarged wildlife reserves at Gola National Forest, the Wonegizi National Forest Reserve, and Lake Piso, and ecotourism was seen as a potential growth industry for the country. km. The Atlantic Ocean borders Liberia to the south-southwest. Edward Wilmot Blyden, Bai T. Moore, Roland T. Dempster and Wilton G. S. Sankawulo are among Liberia's more prominent authors. For other uses, see, Please help by moving some material from it into the body of the article. In 1824 the territory was named Liberia, and its main settlement was named Monrovia, which is the present-day capital. [23], 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. This page was last edited on 16 April 2023, at 03:12. [25], On July 26, 1847, the settlers issued a Declaration of Independence and promulgated a constitution. [57] Public schools offer biblical studies, though parents may opt their children out. [citation needed], In the United States, there was a movement to settle free people of color, both free-born and formerly enslaved, in Africa. [68], The highest point wholly within Liberia is Mount Wuteve at 4,724 feet (1,440m) above sea level in the northwestern Liberia range of the West Africa Mountains and the Guinea Highlands. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Liberia is divided into 15 counties which are subdivided into 90 and further into clans. Making Liberia safe: transformation of the national security sector. [7] 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. Map of Africa - Countries of Africa - Nations Online Project Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence and is Africa's first and oldest modern republic. [57] Upon her inauguration, Sirleaf requested the extradition of Taylor from Nigeria and transferred him to the SCSL for trial in The Hague. [160] In 2010 some 43.5% of Liberians were below the age of 15.[157]. [66] The inauguration marked Liberia's first fully democratic transition in 74 years. [215], The Liberian government has begun transitioning away from use of United States customary units to the metric system. There was a decline in production of Liberian goods in the late 19th century, and the government struggled financially, resulting in indebtedness on a series of international loans. Later Stone Age (LSA) populations evidence significant technological diversification, including both microlithic and macrolithic traditions. [165] Liberians also speak a variety of creolized dialects collectively known as Liberian English. Findings included government involvement in widespread "Forced or compulsory labour". [80] 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. [85], Liberia is divided into fifteen counties, which, in turn, are subdivided into a total of 90 districts and further subdivided into clans. The Economic Community Monitoring Group under the Economic Community of West African States organized a military task force to intervene in the crisis. 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. Liberia is a country in West Africa. During the rainy season there is often severe flooding in the coastal plains. The countrys first post-conflict elections, held in 2005, were noteworthy for the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to the presidency, as she was the first woman to be elected head of state in Africa. [197] In 2008, Liberia had only one doctor and 27 nurses per 100,000 people. This discussion focuses on Liberia from the 19th century. Liberia Population What Is The Population Of Liberia? [189] Approximately 58.2%[190] 66%[191] of women are estimated to have undergone female genital mutilation. "[29], American and other international interests emphasized resource extraction, with rubber production a major industry in the early 20th century. The presence of MSA populations in forests remains an open question; however technological differences may correlate with various ecological zones. 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. Other major rivers are the Lofa in the north and, moving southward, the St. Paul, St. John, and Cestos, all of which parallel each other and flow perpendicular to the coast. [127][128], Due to its status as a flag of convenience, Liberia has the second-largest maritime registry in the world behind Panama. [80] This causes the disease nagana. [13] A peace agreement in 2003 led to democratic elections in 2005. Liberia - History | Britannica [114] 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. Congo people, descendants of repatriated Congo and Afro-Caribbean slaves who arrived in 1825, make up an estimated 2.5%. Tbg and its vector Glossina palpalis gambiense are a constant presence in the rainforests here. The Cavalla is the longest river in the nation at 320 miles (510km). The 1988 Omnibus Foreign Trade and Competitiveness Act designated the metric system as "the preferred system of weights and measures for United States trade and commerce," but in practice the system is in mixed usage, with the population generally preferring customary units and industries either fully metric or mixed. All structured data from the file namespace is available under the Creative Commons CC0 License; all unstructured text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; . [192] In 2007, 20.4% of children under the age of five were malnourished.