Liberia

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:

  1. Bomi

  2. Bong

  3. Gbarpolu

  4. Grand Bassa

  5. Grand Cape Mount

  6. Grand Gedeh

  7. Grand Kru

  8. Lofa

  9. Margibi

  10. Maryland

  11. Montserrado (includes capital Monrovia)

  12. Nimba

  13. River Cess

  14. River Gee

  15. 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.