Profile
Background and figures as recorded in the CIA World Factbook.
With 28 ethnic groups and languages, Liberia is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. For hundreds of years, the Mali and Songhai Empires claimed most of Liberia. Beginning in the 15th century, European traders began establishing outposts along the Liberian coast. Unlike its neighbors, however, Liberia did not fall under European colonial rule. In the early 19th century, the US began sending freed enslaved people and other people of color to Liberia to establish settlements.
- Capital
- Monrovia
- Government
- presidential republic
- Population
- 5,563,541
- Area
- 111,369 sq km
- Location
- Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
- Climate
- tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers
- Natural resources
- iron ore; timber; diamonds; gold; hydropower
- Languages
- English 20% (official) and 27 indigenous languages; including Liberian English variants
- Religions
- Christian 84.9%; Muslim 12%; Traditional 0.5%; other 0.1%…
- Independence
- 26 July 1847
- Administrative divisions
- 15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Monts…
- Currency
- Liberian dollars (LRD)
- Export partners
- Switzerland 30%; UK 13%; France 8%; Germany 7%…
- Import partners
- China 48%; Japan 21%; Germany 8%; Brazil 3%…
Source: CIA World Factbook — a work of the US government, in the public domain