Liberia

Settlement of freed slaves from the US in what is today Liberia began in 1822; by 1847, the Americo-Liberians were able to establish a republic. William TUBMAN, president from 1944-71, did much to promote foreign investment and to bridge the economic, social, and political gaps between the descendents of the original settlers and the inhabitants of the interior. In 1980, a military coup led by Samuel DOE ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles TAYLOR launched a rebellion against DOE's regime that led to a prolonged civil war in which DOE himself was killed. A period of relative peace in 1997 allowed for elections that brought TAYLOR to power, but major fighting resumed in 2000. An August 2003, peace agreement ended the war and prompted the resignation of former president Charles TAYLOR, who was exiled to Nigeria. After two years of rule by a transitional government, democratic elections in late 2005 brought President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF to power. The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which maintains a strong presence throughout the country, completed a disarmament program for former combatants in late 2004, but the security situation is still volatile and the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country remains sluggish.

Languages & Population

Approximate Population: 3,195,931 (July 2007 est.)

Nationality (Noun): Liberian(s)

Nationality (Adjective): Liberian

Official Language(s): English

Major Languages Spoken: Bassa, English, Kissi, Liberian, Mandingo

Country Facts

Country Name (long form): Republic of Liberia

Country Name (short form): Liberia

Country Name (local long form): none

Country Name (local short form): none

Name of Capital: Monrovia

UTC Time Difference (from capital): UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Countries Near by, and Bordering Liberia: Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Guinea

Land Area: 96320 sq km

Water Area: 15050 sq km

Comparative Area: slightly larger than Tennessee

Total Land Boundry: 1,585 km

Coastline: 579 km

National Holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1847)

International Phone Code: 231

Currency Code: Liberian dollar (LRD)

Internet Country Code: .lr

US Embassy Location: 111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 10-0098, Mamba Point, 1000 Monrovia, 10

US Embassy Mailing Address: use embassy street address