Discover Fascinating Liberia Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Liberia.

Liberia

Background

🌍 A Brief History of Liberia 🌍

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. πŸŽ‰ By 1847, these brave settlers, known as the Americo-Liberians, established a republic! πŸ›οΈ

However, there were tough times ahead. In 1980, a military coup led to a decade of authoritarian rule, creating challenges for the country. ⛓️ 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. ✌️ The country turned a new leaf with elections held in 2005, paving the way for a brighter future. πŸŒ…

Liberia’s journey shows resilience and hope, and it reminds us of the importance of peace and democracy! 🌱

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

🌍 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 🍯, ships 🚒, iron ore πŸͺ¨, rubber 🌰, and refined petroleum πŸ›’οΈ. These commodities help make up a significant part of the country's trade. Let's take a closer look at each one:

  • Gold – A shining treasure that adds to Liberia's wealth!
  • Ships – Important for trade and transportation across the waters.
  • Iron Ore – A critical resource used in construction and manufacturing.
  • Rubber – A key product used in many industries, from tires to toys.
  • Refined Petroleum – Vital for energy and transportation needs.

Each of these exports contributes uniquely to Liberia's economy, showcasing the country’s rich natural resources and industrial capabilities.

Exports - partners

In 2022, Liberia's top export partners contributed significantly to its economy! 🌟 Here’s how the percentages break down:

  • Switzerland: 28% πŸ‡¨πŸ‡­
  • France: 8% πŸ‡«πŸ‡·
  • Germany: 8% πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ
  • United Kingdom: 8% πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§
  • Poland: 6% πŸ‡΅πŸ‡±

Together, these countries account for a noteworthy portion of Liberia's exports. Let’s 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

πŸŒ† 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! πŸ–οΈ

Imports - commodities

🌍 Liberia imports a variety of essential commodities, each playing a critical role in the country's economy. Here’s 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! πŸš’β›½πŸ’»πŸŒΎ

Climate

🌍 Liberia boasts a tropical climate, which means it’s generally hot and humid! πŸ₯΅ During the winters, it gets a bit dry, but don't forget those hot days and cool to cold nights! πŸŒ™ When the summers roll in, expect wet and cloudy skies with frequent heavy showers. β˜” It’s like mother nature loves to keep things interesting with a mix of sunshine, humidity, and rain! 🌦️

Executive branch

In Liberia, the top leader is the President! πŸŽ‰ 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 country’s development and decision-making processes. Let's support him as he leads Liberia into new adventures! 🌍✨

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! πŸ‡±πŸ‡·βœ¨ 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 πŸ›οΈ
  • House of Representatives: 73 seats πŸ›οΈ

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! πŸ“£πŸ€

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

🌍 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! πŸ’Ž
  • Gold: A valuable metal that shines brightly! ✨
  • 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. πŸŒ³πŸ’°

Economic overview

🌍 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. πŸ“‰ 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. πŸ“Š 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! πŸƒ Additionally, a large part of the economy operates informally, which means a lot of activities aren’t always recorded officially. It's a mixed bag of struggles and some unique highlights! 🎒

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! πŸ‡±πŸ‡· The system is designed to promote democracy and the participation of its citizens in government affairs. Isn’t it cool to learn about how different countries operate? 🌍

Ethnic groups

πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ Ethnic Diversity in Liberia πŸ‡±πŸ‡·

Liberia is a land rich in ethnic diversity! Here’s 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. That’s quite a significant piece of pie! πŸ₯§

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! 🌈

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%! πŸŽ‰ 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. πŸ•ŠοΈ 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

🌍 Languages of Liberia 🌍

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! πŸ—£οΈπŸŽ‰

The blend of English and local languages makes Liberia a vibrant tapestry of communication and tradition! 🌈✨

Total Indigenous Languages

27

Percentage of English Speakers

20%

Language Distribution in Liberia

Imports - partners

πŸ“Š Imports Partners of Liberia

In 2022, Liberia had some interesting trading partners! Here’s a breakdown of where they imported most of their goods from:

  • China: 42% πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³
  • South Korea: 23% πŸ‡°πŸ‡·
  • Japan: 15% πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅
  • Germany: 5% πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ
  • Brazil: 3% πŸ‡§πŸ‡·

These percentages show which countries help fill the shelves and stores in Liberia. Let’s take a closer look and visualize this data! πŸ›’πŸ“ˆ

Total Percentage of Notable Import Partners

88%

Liberia's Import Partners in 2022

Population

🌍 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! πŸŽ‰πŸ€

Total Population

5,437,249

Area

🌍 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: 🏞️ 96,320 sq km
  • Water Area: πŸ’§ 15,049 sq km

This shows that Liberia has a rich diversity of landscapes, with a significant portion of its area dedicated to land. 🌲🌊

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)

🌍 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! πŸ“ˆ 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! πŸŽ‰

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

🌍 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!

πŸ’° 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. πŸ“ˆ

Real GDP per capita in Liberia (2021 - 2023)

Imports

🚒 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! πŸ“ˆ

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

🌍 Let's explore Liberia's exports! πŸ“¦ In 2022, Liberia had estimated exports worth $1.22 billion! That's quite a jump from $1.041 billion in 2021! πŸš€ And back in 2020, the exports were $731.658 million. πŸ“ˆ It's clear that Liberia's export game is getting stronger each year! πŸŽ‰

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

πŸ“ˆ 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. 🌍 Every percentage point represents more people, more culture, and more opportunities!

Population growth rate for 2024

2.32%