The Land of Freedom and the Oldest Republic in Africa
Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is the oldest independent republic in Africa, founded by freed African-American slaves in the 19th century. With its lush rainforests, golden beaches, and rich cultural heritage, Liberia stands as a symbol of African independence, endurance, and rebirth.
🏛️ Formation & Historical Background
Liberia’s history is deeply tied to freedom, resilience, and the African diaspora.
Key Historical Timeline:
1822: Established by the American Colonization Society (ACS) as a settlement for freed African-American slaves
1847 (July 26): Declares independence — first African republic
1870s–1900s: Expansion into indigenous territories
1980: Military coup led by Samuel Doe ends Americo-Liberian dominance
1989–2003: Civil wars cause massive devastation
2005: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf elected — Africa’s first female president
2018–Present: George Weah, football legend, leads democratic governance
Liberia’s flag and constitution are modeled after the United States, symbolizing its unique historical link.
🧭 Basic National Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Republic of Liberia |
| Capital City | Monrovia |
| President | Joseph Boakai (as of 2025) |
| Vice President | Jeremiah Kpan Koung |
| Government Type | Presidential Republic |
| Area | ~111,369 sq. km |
| Population | ~5.5 million (2025 estimate) |
| Currency | Liberian Dollar (LRD) |
| Time Zone | Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0) |
| Dial Code | +231 |
| Top-Level Domain | .lr |
| National Motto | “The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here” |
⚖️ Government and Leadership
| Position | Current Officeholder (as of 2025) |
|---|---|
| President | Joseph Boakai |
| Vice President | Jeremiah Kpan Koung |
| Government Type | Presidential Republic |
| Legislature | Bicameral – Senate and House of Representatives |
| Judiciary | Supreme Court of Liberia |
| Administrative Capital | Monrovia |
Liberia continues to strengthen its democracy, emphasizing reconciliation, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.
🗺️ Administrative Structure
| Division | Details |
|---|---|
| Counties | 15 counties |
| Major Counties | Montserrado, Nimba, Bong, Grand Bassa, Lofa, Margibi |
| Major Cities | Monrovia, Gbarnga, Buchanan, Ganta, Harper, Zwedru |
Monrovia, the capital, is named after U.S. President James Monroe.
List of 15 Counties:
Bomi
Bong
Gbarpolu
Grand Bassa
Grand Cape Mount
Grand Gedeh
Grand Kru
Lofa
Margibi
Maryland
Montserrado (includes capital Monrovia)
Nimba
River Cess
River Gee
Sinoe
🌐 Geography & Environment
Location: West Africa; bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Atlantic Ocean
Terrain: Coastal plains, tropical rainforests, rolling hills, interior plateaus
Major Rivers: Saint Paul, Saint John, Cavalla
Climate: Tropical; rainy (May–Oct) and dry (Nov–Apr)
Natural Resources: Iron ore, rubber, gold, timber, diamonds, fertile soil
Environmental Focus: Forest conservation, reforestation, coastal protection
Liberia holds over 40% of West Africa’s rainforest, making it a key biodiversity hotspot.
Local Government Structure
Each county is further subdivided into districts, chiefdoms, and clans.
Counties are led by Superintendents, while districts are managed by Commissioners.
Traditional chiefs and elders continue to play significant roles in local governance.
Leadership & Governance
The Boakai administration emphasizes:
Anti-corruption and governance reform
Agricultural development and job creation
Healthcare and educational access
Institutions like the General Auditing Commission (GAC) and Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) oversee transparency.
Law Enforcement & Safety
Managed by:
Liberia National Police (LNP)
Liberia Immigration Service
Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL)
Security challenges:
Border monitoring
Land disputes
Urban crimes and justice system delays
Emergency Numbers:
911 (limited coverage)
🕌 Religion, Language & Culture
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Religions | Christianity (~86%), Islam (~12%), Traditional (~2%) |
| Official Language | English |
| National Languages | Kpelle, Bassa, Grebo, Kru, Vai, Lorma |
| Ethnic Groups | Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Vai, Mandingo |
Cultural Highlights:
Music: Highlife, Gospel, Reggae, Hipco (Liberian hip-hop)
Festivals: Independence Day (July 26), Poro and Sande traditional rites
Cuisine: Jollof rice, cassava leaf stew, palm butter soup
Traditional Arts: Wood carving, basket weaving, masks
Values: Community, hospitality, and respect for elders
Liberia’s Vai script, developed in the 19th century, is one of Africa’s few indigenous writing systems.
📈 Economy & Key Sectors
| Sector | Description |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Rubber, rice, cassava, palm oil, cocoa |
| Mining | Iron ore, gold, diamonds |
| Forestry | Timber exports and forest-based livelihoods |
| Industry | Cement, beverages, food processing |
| Trade Partners | China, USA, India, EU, Côte d’Ivoire |
| Economic Vision | “ARREST Agenda” – Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, Tourism |
Firestone Rubber Company, established in 1926, remains one of Liberia’s largest employers.
🎓 Education & Healthcare
| Sector | Details |
|---|---|
| Education System | Free and compulsory primary education |
| Top Universities | University of Liberia, Cuttington University |
| Literacy Rate | ~55% (2025 est.) |
| Healthcare System | Public and NGO-supported hospitals, mobile clinics |
| Life Expectancy | ~62 years |
| Focus Areas | School reconstruction, maternal health, malaria prevention |
Liberia is recovering strongly from the Ebola epidemic, with renewed investment in healthcare resilience.
✈️ Transport & Infrastructure
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Airport | Roberts International Airport (Monrovia) |
| Ports | Freeport of Monrovia, Buchanan Port |
| Highways | Coastal and inland road networks expanding |
| Railways | Iron ore transport lines (Buchanan–Yekepa corridor) |
| Energy Projects | Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant, solar energy expansion |
| Urban Development | Monrovia urban renewal and sanitation programs |
🏞️ Tourism & Attractions
Liberia offers stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and a warm coastal charm.
Top Destinations:
Monrovia: Providence Island (freed slave heritage), Ducor Palace ruins
Sapo National Park: Liberia’s largest rainforest reserve
Robertsport: Surfing and fishing on pristine beaches
Mount Nimba: UNESCO World Heritage mountain range
Buchanan: Colonial relics and port town charm
Lake Piso: Coastal lagoon and bird sanctuary
Liberia’s Robertsport is internationally recognized as one of Africa’s top surfing spots.
🌍 Global Role & Relations
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| UN Membership | Since 1945 (founding member) |
| Regional Membership | African Union, ECOWAS, Mano River Union |
| Foreign Policy Focus | Peacebuilding, democracy, trade, and diaspora engagement |
| Major Partners | USA, China, EU, ECOWAS states |
| Peacekeeping Role | Host of UNMIL (2003–2018), model for post-conflict recovery |
Liberia was the first African nation elected to the UN Security Council (1961).
📝 Summary
Liberia is a land of freedom, forests, and faith — a nation that carries the legacy of independence and the hope of renewal. From Monrovia’s coastal charm to Sapo’s jungles, Liberia continues to redefine resilience and progress in modern Africa.
📢 News & Articles
“Liberia’s Democratic Journey: From War to Peace”
“Sapo National Park: The Lungs of West Africa”
“The Vai Script: Africa’s Ancient Writing System”
🎯 Our Mission
This profile is part of the AFP Global Knowledge Hub, providing educational and reliable insights into every African nation’s heritage, culture, and development journey.
📬 Contact Us
For verified contributions, images, or historical details about Liberia, contact our editorial team.