Liberia is a country on the west coast of Africa, bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d'Ivoire. It is known for being one of Africa's oldest republics, founded by freed American and Caribbean slaves in the nineteenth century. The country has a lush tropical rainforest interior and a long Atlantic coastline.
- Capital
- Monrovia
- Continent
- Africa
- Region
- Western Africa
- Area
- 111,369 km²
- Coordinates
- 6.5° N, 9.5° W
Country facts
- Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847, making it one of the first African republics.
- English is the official language, a legacy of its founding by formerly enslaved people from the Americas.
- The country is home to a significant portion of the Upper Guinean rainforest, one of West Africa's most biodiverse ecosystems.
- Liberia's flag bears a strong resemblance to the American flag, reflecting its historical ties to the United States.
- The Liberian dollar is the national currency, and the country has a strong tradition of rubber cultivation introduced in the early twentieth century.
Capital facts
- Monrovia was founded in 1822 and is named after James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States.
- It is the only national capital in the world named after a U.S. president.
- The city sits on a peninsula where the Mesurado River meets the Atlantic Ocean.
- Providence Island, near Monrovia, is considered the historic landing site of the first freed American settlers.
- The Capitol Building, seat of Liberia's legislature, is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Monrovia skyline.