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Liberia
Africa
Founded by freed American slaves in the 19th century, Liberia has a unique history. It has struggled with civil wars but is rebuilding its democracy.
6,000,000
Population
111,369
Area (km²)
Monrovia
Capital
32
Historical Events
Historical Timeline
Cities
32 Events
August 22, 2025 - The government declares a nationwide ban on Tramadol and Shisha to combat substance abuse.
August 16, 2025 - The government announces official participation in the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
July 26, 2025 - Nationwide celebrations mark the 178th Independence Day, emphasizing national unity and economic recovery.
July 07, 2025 - President Boakai issues an official apology to victims of the civil war.
July 02, 2025 - Former President William Tolbert is symbolically reburied, 45 years after his 1980 murder during a coup.
June 04, 2025 - Liberia secures a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2026–2027.
May 29, 2025 - A plane carrying President Boakai experiences a landing scare.
May 21, 2025 - Former First Lady Nancy Doe dies at her residence in Sinkor.
March 25, 2025 - The Armed Forces of Liberia launches "Operation True Guardian" to bolster national security.
March 24, 2025 - Liberia launches a digital public infrastructure project funded by $30 million from the World Bank to enhance service delivery.
December 18, 2024 - The parliament building catches fire amid anti-government protests entering their second day.
November 28, 2024 - Former warlord and senator Prince Johnson dies at age 72.
October 31, 2024 - Bishop Bennie D. Warner passes away.
September 21, 2024 - Guinea's most wanted fugitive is extradited from Liberia.
September 10, 2024 - 47 inmates escape from a prison in Monrovia.
August 31, 2024 - The Supreme Court acquits former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott and her relatives in a high-profile murder case.
May 04, 2024 - President Boakai announces plans to establish Liberia's first war crimes court to address atrocities from the 1989–2003 civil wars.
April 29, 2024 - The National Elections Commission declares winners in by-elections for Twayen and Sokan districts.
March 28, 2024 - A French court sentences a Liberian rebel to a reduced 30-year term for war crimes.
March 08, 2024 - Former President George Weah mourns the death of Representative Johnson Gwaikolo.
January 22, 2024 - Joseph Boakai is inaugurated as president.
December 22, 2023 - A court convicts a former chief justice of murder.
December 05, 2023 - The 55th Legislature records its first death.
November 17, 2023 - President Weah concedes defeat and congratulates Boakai.
November 14, 2023 - Runoff presidential election takes place; Boakai narrowly defeats Weah with 50.9% of the vote.
October 10, 2023 - Presidential, House, and Senate elections are held; no candidate secures a majority, leading to a runoff between incumbent George Weah and Joseph Boakai.
August 25, 2023 - Former Chief Justice Henry Reed Cooper dies at age 82.
August 08, 2023 - Alternative National Congress Chairman and Senator Daniel Naatehn dies.
August 02, 2023 - Authorities issue a warning regarding Chief Zanzan Karwor amid political tensions.
July 18, 2023 - Former Deputy Speaker Hans Barchue dies.
June 27, 2023 - Former Agriculture Minister Florence Chenoweth dies at age 78.
May 02, 2023 - Opposition leader Joseph Boakai selects Jeremiah Koung as his running mate for the upcoming presidential election, raising questions about alliances with controversial figures like Prince Johnson.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liberia
100 Questions
Liberia is in West Africa, bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Atlantic Ocean.
The capital is Monrovia, named after U.S. President James Monroe.
Around 6 million people as of 2025 estimates.
English is the official language; over 20 indigenous languages including Kpelle, Bassa, and Kru are spoken.
Tropical, hot and humid, with a rainy season (May–October) and a dry season (November–April).
The Liberian dollar (LRD), though the U.S. dollar also circulates.
Red and white stripes with a blue square and a single white star, resembling the U.S. flag.
Monrovia, Gbarnga, Buchanan, Kakata, and Harper.
On July 26, 1847, making it Africa’s first republic.
Joseph Jenkins Roberts.
Joseph Boakai (as of 2025).
A unitary presidential republic.
Kpelle (largest), Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, and others.
Christianity (around 85%), Islam, and indigenous beliefs.
Around $5.7 billion in 2025 estimates.
About $900.
Around 48%.
About 62 years.
Around 4.2 children per woman.
About 65%.
Rubber, gold, iron ore, timber, and palm oil.
Food, fuel, machinery, and manufactured goods.
Iron ore, gold, diamonds, rubber, timber, and fertile land.
It was founded by freed African-American and Caribbean slaves in the 19th century.
The capital, main port, and cultural hub.
Port city, formerly linked to iron ore exports.
Center of education and farming.
Historic coastal town near Côte d’Ivoire.
Mount Wuteve (1,440 m).
The Cavalla River.
Rice, cassava, fish, and palm oil-based dishes.
A starchy dough made from cassava or plantain, eaten with soup.
A popular Liberian dish made with palm oil and meat or fish.
Palm wine, Club beer, cane juice, and ginger beer.
Football, basketball, and athletics.
The Lone Stars.
Yes, in 1996 and 2002.
Not yet.
George Weah, former FIFA World Player of the Year and ex-president.
Yes, mainly in athletics and boxing.
Highlife, hipco (Liberian hip-hop), gospel, and reggae.
A style of rap in Liberian English and local slang.
Drums, balafon, and string instruments.
Mask dances, social dances, and ceremonial performances.
Colorful lappa cloth for women and dashikis or shirts for men.
Key in farming and trade, but challenged by gender inequality.
Around 42%.
Around 55%.
High, especially among youth.
Over 70%.
Rice, cassava, rubber, cocoa, and palm oil.
Goats, sheep, poultry, and cattle.
Weak, heavily reliant on NGOs and aid.
Malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB, and diarrheal diseases.
The Ebola outbreak, which killed thousands.
High, though improving.
Among the highest in the world.
“All Hail, Liberia, Hail!”
“The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here.”
The lion.
The common bulbul.
The pepper flower.
Pygmy hippos, chimpanzees, leopards, and forest elephants.
Sapo National Park and Gola Forest National Park.
Liberia’s largest park, home to pygmy hippos and rainforest biodiversity.
A park shared with Sierra Leone, protecting tropical forests.
Around 65%, higher than adults.
Around $900 annually.
Declining but still high.
Around 55%, with Monrovia as the main city.
Focused on farming, fishing, and small-scale trade.
Hydropower, imported fuel, and biomass.
High in hydro, solar, and biomass.
Dependence on raw exports and vulnerability to shocks.
Weak governance and corruption.
Former president and warlord, convicted of war crimes.
Conflict (1989–1997) that killed around 200,000 people.
Conflict (1999–2003) that ended with Taylor’s resignation.
Africa’s first elected female president, serving 2006–2018.
Current president, elected in 2023.
Peacekeeping during the civil wars and ongoing mediation.
Deployed UNMIL (2003–2018), one of the largest peacekeeping missions.
Close ties, historic founding connection, and major donor.
Investor in infrastructure and trade.
High but moderating.
Moderate, highest along the coast and rivers.
Wood carving, weaving, pottery, and masks.
Important in culture and politics, with hipco as a protest medium.
Independence Day (July 26), Thanksgiving, and Poro and Sande initiation festivals.
A traditional male initiation society.
A traditional female initiation society.
Around 13% difference.
Around 5 years.
Lower than rural areas.
Strengthening healthcare after Ebola and reducing maternal mortality.
Poor funding and limited access in rural areas.
Rapid, with a youthful population.
Diversification into agriculture, services, and small industries.
Dependent on stability, investment, and reform.
It is Africa’s oldest republic, founded by freed slaves, with a history that shaped Pan-African identity.