[147] Construction of three new heavy fuel oil power plants is expected to boost electrical capacity by 38 MW. The Dei, Bassa, Kru, Gola, and Kissi were some of the earliest documented peoples in the area. Highly fertile alluvial soils represent a small percentage of the land area and are utilized largely for agriculture. [28] The United Kingdom was the first country to recognize Liberia's independence. They intermarried largely within the colonial community, developing an ethnic group that had a cultural tradition infused with American notions of political republicanism and Protestant Christianity. [83], Illegal logging has increased in Liberia since the end of the Second Civil War in 2003. Infertile regosols, or sandy soils, are found along the coastal plains. Other trees of value are rubber, cacao, coffee, and the raffia palm. [bettersourceneeded][1], English is the official language and serves as the lingua franca of Liberia. The oldest counties are Grand Bassa and Montserrado, both founded in 1839 prior to Liberian independence. The Americo-Liberian settlers did not relate well to the indigenous peoples they encountered. During the rainy season there is often severe flooding in the coastal plains. [98][99] On July 20, 2012, the Liberian senate voted unanimously to enact legislation to prohibit and criminalize same-sex marriages. The Cavalla is the longest river in the nation at 320 miles (510km). [123] 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. [151][152][153] An additional 13 ultra-deep offshore blocks were demarcated in 2011 and planned for auction. A Brief History of the African Country of Liberia - ThoughtCo [14], Undated Acheulean (ESA) artifacts are well documented across West Africa. Time zone: Noon = noon GMT. In Liberia, the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex serves as a multi-purpose stadium. [73] Four terrestrial ecoregions lie within Liberia's borders: Guinean montane forests, Western Guinean lowland forests, Guinean forestsavanna mosaic, and Guinean mangroves. While Christian, many Liberians also participate in traditional, gender-based indigenous religious secret societies, such as Poro for men and Sande for women. [124], Liberia has the highest ratio of foreign direct investment to GDP in the world, with US$16 billion in investment since 2006. [112] Liberia's external debt was estimated in 2006 at approximately $4.5 billion, 800% of GDP. [68], Liberia's main northwestern boundary is traversed by the Mano River while its southeast limits are bounded by the Cavalla River. [150] 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. Four physiographic regions run nearly parallel to the Atlantic coast of the country. [15], 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. Milestones: 1830-1860 - Office of the Historian (Nelson) See the Map of Liberia with Monrovia. Findings included government involvement in widespread "Forced or compulsory labour". Tbg and its vector Glossina palpalis gambiense are a constant presence in the rainforests here. [25] Indigenous tribesmen did not enjoy birthright citizenship in their own land until 1904. Providence Island - UNESCO World Heritage Centre Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence and is Africa's first and oldest modern republic. [15], The record shows that aceramic and ceramic Later Stone Age (LSA) assemblages in West Africa overlap chronologically, and that changing densities of microlithic industries from the coast to the north are geographically structured. [43], After Liberia adopted a new constitution in 1985, Doe was elected president in subsequent elections that were internationally condemned as fraudulent. [201], The religious practices, social customs and cultural standards of the Americo-Liberians had their roots in the antebellum American South. "Monrovia's 'Never-Ending' Pollution Issues In 2013, Edwin M. 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The greatest amount of rainfall, 205 inches (5,200 mm), occurs at Cape Mount and diminishes inland to about 70 inches (1,800 mm) on the central plateau. 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. [210] Liberia also has a tradition of baking imported from the United States that is unique in West Africa.[211]. Name the major rivers of Liberia. Monrovia, capital, largest city, and chief Atlantic port of Liberia, located on Bushrod Island and Cape Mesurado. [159] As revealed in the 2008 census, Monrovia is more than four times more populous than all the county capitals combined. The national capital of Monrovia is located in Montserrado. 15 Best Places to Visit in Liberia - The Crazy Tourist Retrieved October 29, 2013, Marc DuBois and Caitlin Wake, with Scarlett Sturridge and Christina Bennett (2015). Pages in category "Islands of Liberia" The following 2 pages are in this category, out of 2 total. It has a population of around 5 million and covers an area of 43,000 square miles (111,369km2). [1] The country's education sector is hampered by inadequate schools and supplies, as well as a lack of qualified teachers. The "Black Continent" is divided roughly in two by the equator and surrounded by sea except where the Isthmus of Suez joins it to Asia. [13] A peace agreement in 2003 led to democratic elections in 2005. 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. It contains the Freeport of Monrovia, the major national port of Liberia and a variety of businesses. Quiz, Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Liberia, Liberia - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Liberia - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). It hosts FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in addition to international concerts and national political events. [33] In 1914, Imperial Germany accounted for three quarters of the trade of Liberia. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. As inland regions underwent desertification, inhabitants moved to the wetter coast. 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. [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. Based on the political principles of the United States Constitution, it established the independent Republic of Liberia. Liberia, country along the coast of western Africa. [159] The population of Liberia was 1,016,443 in 1962 and increased to 1,503,368 in 1974. [142] 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. The coastal plains are about 350 miles (560 km) long and extend up to 25 miles (40 km) inland. Liberia is the only Black state in Africa never subjected to colonial rule and is Africas oldest republic. [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. Area: 111,370 square kilometers (43,000 square miles) Highest point on mainland: Mount Wutivi (1,380 meters/4,528 feet) Lowest point on land: Sea level. PDF A Brief History of Liberia - International Center for Transitional Justice [67] Weah cited fighting corruption, reforming the economy, combating illiteracy, and improving living conditions as the main targets of his presidency.[67]. 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. Liberia is situated in West Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean to the country's southwest. GeoNames ID. [110] 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. 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. The country is home to a lush rainforest containing a rich diversity of flora and fauna. List of rivers of Liberia - Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core The Liberian constitution exercises jus sanguinis, which means it usually restricts its citizenship to "Negroes or persons of Negro descent. [68], Following a peak in growth in 1979, the Liberian economy began a steady decline due to economic mismanagement after the 1980 coup. [108] Liberia is one of the world's poorest countries, with a formal employment rate of 15%. Please read the. The Cavalla is the longest river in the nation at 320 mi (515 km). [76], Pollution is a significant issue in Monrovia. [155], As of the 2017 national census, Liberia was home to 4,694,608 people. [1][162][bettersourceneeded] These latter two groups established political control in the 19th century which they kept well into the 20th century. [127][128], Due to its status as a flag of convenience, Liberia has the second-largest maritime registry in the world behind Panama. Professor of Geography, East Carolina College, Greenville, North Carolina. [70] 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. [51] [88] All existing local governmentscities, townships, and a boroughwere created by specific acts of the Liberian government, and thus the structure and duties/responsibilities of each local government varies greatly from one to the other. The outline map represents the West African country of Liberia. With an area of 11,551 sq. Congo people, descendants of repatriated Congo and Afro-Caribbean slaves who arrived in 1825, make up an estimated 2.5%. Liberia has been an active participant in international and local policy changes related to climate change. Liberia currently does not have any constitutional framework or uniform statutes which deal with the creation or revocation of local governments. Category:Islands of Liberia - Wikipedia