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Liberia

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Liberia is a country found on the West African coast.

Location Liberia AU Africa
Location Liberia AU Africa

It sits right next to the Atlantic Ocean to the south and southwest. To the north, it shares a border with Guinea. To the east, it meets the Ivory Coast. To the northwest, it is near Sierra Leone.

Liberia (orthographic projection)
Liberia (orthographic projection)

The capital and largest city is named Monrovia.

Monrovia, Liberia, 1842
Monrovia, Liberia, 1842

About 5.5 million people live in this country. While English is the official language, people also speak over 20 different indigenous languages.

The story of modern Liberia began in the early 19th century. A group called the American Colonization Society, or ACS, started a project there. They believed black people would find better freedom and prosperity in Africa than in the United States. Between 1822 and 1861, more than 15,000 freed and free-born African Americans moved to the area. Another 3,198 Afro-Caribbeans also relocated there.

Mitchell Map Liberia colony 1839
Mitchell Map Liberia colony 1839

These settlers developed a new identity called Americo-Liberian. They brought their own traditions, clothing, and religious views with them. This often caused tension with the indigenous people who already lived there.

Liberia has a very special place in African history. On July 26, 1847, the country proclaimed its independence. This made Liberia the first African republic to gain independence. It is also known as Africa's oldest continuously independent country.

T. WILLIAMS (c1850) Residence of Joseph Roberts, President of the Republic of Liberia
T. WILLIAMS (c1850) Residence of Joseph Roberts, President of the Republic of Liberia

While other lands were taken over during the Scramble for Africa, Liberia was not. This is different from Ethiopia, which was also never colonized but did face an Italian occupation from 1936 to 1941.

The country has faced many changes in its economy and leadership. In the early 20th century, the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company invested heavily in rubber. This changed how people worked and even affected the climate. During World War II, Liberia helped the United States. In return, the U.S. helped build more infrastructure in the country.

Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Edwin Barclay of Liberia - NARA - 196752
Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Edwin Barclay of Liberia - NARA - 196752

Later, the country went through two difficult civil wars. These wars lasted from 1989 to 2003 and caused much hardship. Many people lost their homes or their lives during these times.

Today, Liberia works to stay stable and grow its economy. Mining has been a big part of this since the 1960s.

Technical Liberia
Technical Liberia

People mine for minerals, but this can cause problems like air and water pollution. It can also lead to deforestation, which means losing many trees.

Liberia tropical forest
Liberia tropical forest

Despite these hard jobs, the country has held democratic elections since 2005. Liberia is also a founding member of the United Nations. This helps the country stay connected to the rest of the world.

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🖼️ Images & Media (28)
File:Liberia (orthographic projection).svg
Liberia (orthographic projection).svg
File:Location Liberia AU Africa.svg
Location Liberia AU Africa.svg
Liberia National Anthem.ogg
File:Negroland and Guinea with the European Settlements, 1736.jpg
Negroland and Guinea with the European...
File:Monrovia, Liberia, 1842.jpg
Monrovia, Liberia, 1842.jpg
File:Mitchell Map Liberia colony 1839.jpg
Mitchell Map Liberia colony 1839.jpg
File:T. WILLIAMS (c1850) Residence of Joseph Roberts, President of the Republic of Liberia.jpg
T. WILLIAMS (c1850) Residence of Joseph...
File:(1896) Departure of colored emigrants for Liberia - The Illustrated American, March 21, 1896.jpg
(1896) Departure of colored emigrants for...
File:LiberiaKing.jpg
LiberiaKing.jpg
File:Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Edwin Barclay of Liberia - NARA - 196752.jpg
Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Edwin...
File:Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger - Samuel K. Doe.jpg
Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger...
File:Technical Liberia.jpg
Technical Liberia.jpg

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