Discover Fascinating Liberia Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Liberia.
Liberia
Background
π A Brief History of Liberia π
Liberia's history is quite fascinating! It all started in 1822, when freed slaves from the United States began to settle in this beautiful land that we now call Liberia. π By 1847, these brave settlers, known as the Americo-Liberians, established a republic! ποΈ
However, there were tough times ahead. In 1980, a military coup led to a decade of authoritarian rule, creating challenges for the country. βοΈ This period of hardship culminated in a civil war that scarred the nation. But finally, in 2003, a peace agreement brought an end to the violence. βοΈ The country turned a new leaf with elections held in 2005, paving the way for a brighter future. π
Liberiaβs journey shows resilience and hope, and it reminds us of the importance of peace and democracy! π±
Year Freed Slaves Began Settling
1822
Year Republic Established
1847
Year of Military Coup
1980
Year Civil War Ended
2003
Year of Elections Held
2005
Exports - commodities
π Liberia is known for its diverse exports that play an essential role in the economy! In 2022, the primary commodities exported by Liberia include gold π―, ships π’, iron ore πͺ¨, rubber π°, and refined petroleum π’οΈ. These commodities help make up a significant part of the country's trade. Let's take a closer look at each one:
- Gold β A shining treasure that adds to Liberia's wealth!
- Ships β Important for trade and transportation across the waters.
- Iron Ore β A critical resource used in construction and manufacturing.
- Rubber β A key product used in many industries, from tires to toys.
- Refined Petroleum β Vital for energy and transportation needs.
Each of these exports contributes uniquely to Liberia's economy, showcasing the countryβs rich natural resources and industrial capabilities.
Exports - partners
In 2022, Liberia's top export partners contributed significantly to its economy! π Hereβs how the percentages break down:
- Switzerland: 28% π¨π
- France: 8% π«π·
- Germany: 8% π©πͺ
- United Kingdom: 8% π¬π§
- Poland: 6% π΅π±
Together, these countries account for a noteworthy portion of Liberia's exports. Letβs take a closer look at this data and see how it visually represents Liberia's trade relationships!
Total Percentage of Top Partners
58%
Exports Partners for Liberia (2022)
Capital
π The capital city of Liberia is Monrovia! This vibrant city is not only the political center but also the beating heart of the country. Monrovia is rich in culture, history, and activities for the curious explorer. Whether you're wandering through its markets or enjoying the coastal views, there's always something exciting going on! ποΈ
Imports - commodities
π Liberia imports a variety of essential commodities, each playing a critical role in the country's economy. Hereβs a peek at some of the items Liberia relies on from around the world:
- Ships: Vital for transporting goods.
- Refined Petroleum: Key for energy and fuel needs.
- Additive Manufacturing Machines: Important for modern production technologies.
- Centrifuges: Used in various industrial applications.
- Rice: A staple food for many Liberians.
These commodities help keep the country running and support the daily lives of its citizens! π’β½π»πΎ
Climate
π Liberia boasts a tropical climate, which means itβs generally hot and humid! π₯΅ During the winters, it gets a bit dry, but don't forget those hot days and cool to cold nights! π When the summers roll in, expect wet and cloudy skies with frequent heavy showers. β Itβs like mother nature loves to keep things interesting with a mix of sunshine, humidity, and rain! π¦οΈ
Executive branch
In Liberia, the top leader is the President! π President Joseph BOAKAI has been in charge since January 22, 2024. As both the chief of state and head of government, he plays a huge role in the countryβs development and decision-making processes. Let's support him as he leads Liberia into new adventures! πβ¨
Current President
Joseph BOAKAI
Assumed Office Date
22 January 2024
Legislative branch
In Liberia, the Legislative Branch plays a vital role in the country's governance! π±π·β¨ It is made up of two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Together, they create a bicameral National Assembly. Let's break it down:
- Senate: 30 seats ποΈ
- House of Representatives: 73 seats ποΈ
This means that there are a total of 103 seats in the National Assembly. Each member is dedicated to representing the voices of the people! π£π€
Total number of seats in the National Assembly
103
Number of Senate seats
30
Number of House of Representatives seats
73
Seats in the Liberian National Assembly
Natural resources
π Liberia is rich in natural resources! Here are some of the treasures found in this beautiful country:
- Iron ore: A vital metal used in construction and manufacturing.
- Timber: Strong and sturdy, timber comes from Liberia's lush forests.
- Diamonds: Sparkling gems that are prized around the world! π
- Gold: A valuable metal that shines brightly! β¨
- Hydropower: Energy from flowing water that helps power homes and businesses.
These resources play a big role in Liberia's economy and help create jobs for many people. π³π°
Economic overview
π Liberia, a low-income country in West Africa, is facing some tough challenges. There is a serious issue of food scarcity, particularly in rural areas, leading to many people struggling to find enough to eat. π The economy has been hit hard with high poverty levels and soaring inflation, making life even harder for its citizens. Just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Liberia was already dealing with a significant recession due to the Ebola crisis. π The country is also grappling with growing government debt. On a brighter note, Liberia is home to the longest continuously operated rubber plantation in the world! π Additionally, a large part of the economy operates informally, which means a lot of activities arenβt always recorded officially. It's a mixed bag of struggles and some unique highlights! π’
Economic challenges faced
Food scarcity, high poverty, inflation, and government debt
Historical impact event
Ebola crisis before COVID-19
Unique economic feature
Longest continuously operated rubber plantation
Government type
In Liberia, the government is structured as a presidential republic. This means that the president is both the head of state and the head of government, making decisions and leading the country! π±π· The system is designed to promote democracy and the participation of its citizens in government affairs. Isnβt it cool to learn about how different countries operate? π
Ethnic groups
π³οΈβπ Ethnic Diversity in Liberia π±π·
Liberia is a land rich in ethnic diversity! Hereβs a breakdown of some of the major ethnic groups in the country. Each group brings its own unique culture and traditions to the beautiful tapestry that is Liberia.
Here's how the numbers break down:
- Kpelle: 20.2%
- Bassa: 13.6%
- Grebo: 9.9%
- Gio: 7.9%
- Mano: 7.2%
- Kru: 5.5%
- Lorma: 4.8%
- Krahn: 4.5%
- Kissi: 4.3%
- Mandingo: 4.2%
- Vai: 3.8%
- Gola: 3.8%
- Gbandi: 2.9%
- Mende: 1.7%
- Sapo: 1%
- Belle: 0.7%
- Dey: 0.3%
- Other Liberian ethnic groups: 0.4%
- Other African: 3%
- Non-African: 0.2%
The Kpelle group is the largest, making up over a fifth of the population. Thatβs quite a significant piece of pie! π₯§
With the numbers adding up to 100%, visualization can really help us see how these groups compare to each other. Let's look at organizing this data in a pie chart for better understanding! π
Largest ethnic group
Kpelle with 20.2%
Smallest ethnic group
Non-African with 0.2%
Percentage of Kpelle
20.2%
Percentage of Bassa
13.6%
Total percentage of all groups
100%
Ethnic Composition of Liberia
Religions
In Liberia, the majority of the population practices Christianity, making up a whopping 84.9%! π Following that, 12% of people are Muslims. There's also a small fraction of the population practicing traditional religions (0.5%) or identifying as 'other' (0.1%). Interestingly, about 2.6% of Liberians identify as having no religion. ποΈ Let's dive deeper into the numbers!
Percentage of Christians
84.9%
Percentage of Muslims
12%
Percentage of Traditional believers
0.5%
Percentage of Other religions
0.1%
Percentage of people with no religion
2.6%
Religious Distribution in Liberia (2022)
Languages
π Languages of Liberia π
In Liberia, English is the official language, spoken by about 20% of the population. But that's not all! The country is rich with cultural diversity boasting 27 indigenous languages. This means there's a beautiful mix of voices and dialects throughout Liberia! π£οΈπ
The blend of English and local languages makes Liberia a vibrant tapestry of communication and tradition! πβ¨
Total Indigenous Languages
27
Percentage of English Speakers
20%
Language Distribution in Liberia
Imports - partners
π Imports Partners of Liberia
In 2022, Liberia had some interesting trading partners! Hereβs a breakdown of where they imported most of their goods from:
- China: 42% π¨π³
- South Korea: 23% π°π·
- Japan: 15% π―π΅
- Germany: 5% π©πͺ
- Brazil: 3% π§π·
These percentages show which countries help fill the shelves and stores in Liberia. Letβs take a closer look and visualize this data! ππ
Total Percentage of Notable Import Partners
88%
Liberia's Import Partners in 2022
Population
π Population of Liberia: As of the latest data, the total population of Liberia is 5,437,249 people! This number reflects the vibrant and diverse culture within the country, full of life and communities! ππ€
Total Population
5,437,249
Area
π Liberia is a country with a total area of 111,369 sq km! This area is made up of both land and water. Let's break it down:
- Land Area: ποΈ 96,320 sq km
- Water Area: π§ 15,049 sq km
This shows that Liberia has a rich diversity of landscapes, with a significant portion of its area dedicated to land. π²π
Total Area of Liberia
111369 sq km
Land Area of Liberia
96320 sq km
Water Area of Liberia
15049 sq km
Distribution of Area in Liberia
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
π Let's take a closer look at Liberia's economy through its Real GDP! Here are the estimated figures for the past three years:
- 2021: $8.095 billion
- 2022: $8.484 billion
- 2023: $8.884 billion
It's great to see that Liberia's economy is growing! π This shows an upward trend in the GDP over the years, suggesting that more goods and services are being produced in the country! Let's visualize this growth with a bar chart! π
Real GDP in 2023
8.884 billion USD
Real GDP in 2022
8.484 billion USD
Real GDP in 2021
8.095 billion USD
Liberia's Real GDP Growth (PPP)
Real GDP per capita
π Let's take a look at Liberia's economic situation! The Real GDP per capita shows how much money each person would have if we spread the country's total wealth evenly. For the years 2021, 2022, and 2023, Liberia's Real GDP per capita has been steady at $1,600. This means that, despite challenges, the economy has been consistent in these three years. Let's break it down a bit more!
π° Real GDP per capita over recent years:
- 2021: $1,600
- 2022: $1,600
- 2023: $1,600
This data suggests that Liberia's economy hasn't changed much in these years, which can be seen as either stability or a need for growth. π
Real GDP per capita in Liberia (2021 - 2023)
Imports
π’ Liberia is bustling with trade, and the numbers show just how much! Let's take a look at the imports that keep this country thriving:
- In 2022, Liberia imported $1.961 billion worth of goods.
- In 2021, that number was slightly lower at $1.739 billion.
- Back in 2020, imports were $1.371 billion.
These increasing numbers reveal the growing appetite for foreign goods in Liberia! π
2022 Import Value
$1.961 billion
2021 Import Value
$1.739 billion
2020 Import Value
$1.371 billion
Liberia's Imports Over Three Years
Exports
π Let's explore Liberia's exports! π¦ In 2022, Liberia had estimated exports worth $1.22 billion! That's quite a jump from $1.041 billion in 2021! π And back in 2020, the exports were $731.658 million. π It's clear that Liberia's export game is getting stronger each year! π
Export in 2020
$731.658 million
Export in 2021
$1.041 billion
Export in 2022
$1.22 billion
Export Growth Over Time
Population growth rate
π The population growth rate in Liberia is estimated to be 2.32% for the year 2024! This percentage shows how fast the population is increasing, meaning more vibrant and active communities. π Every percentage point represents more people, more culture, and more opportunities!
Population growth rate for 2024
2.32%