View source for Liberia

{{Short description|Country in West Africa}}
{{About|the country in Africa|other uses|Liberia (disambiguation)}}
{{Pp-move|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Use Liberian English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Republic of Liberia
| common_name            = Liberia
| image_flag             = Flag of Liberia.svg
| image_coat             = Coat of arms of Liberia.svg
| symbol_type            = Coat of arms
| image_map              = {{Switcher|[[File: Liberia (orthographic projection).svg|frameless]]|Show globe|[[File:Location Liberia AU Africa.svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Show map of Africa|default=1}}
| map_caption            = 
| image_map2             = 
| national_motto         = "The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here"
| national_anthem        = "[[All Hail, Liberia, Hail!]]"{{parabr}}{{center|[[File:Liberia National Anthem.ogg]]}}
| official_languages     = [[Liberian English|English]]
| languages_type         = [[Vernacular]]<br />languages
| languages              = {{hlist|[[Kpelle language|Kpelle]]|[[Bassa language|Bassa]]|[[Vai language|Vai]]|[[Klao language|Klao (Kru)]]|[[Dan language|Gio (Dan)]]|[[Mano language|Mano]]|[[Krahn language|Krahn]]|[[Loma language|Loma]]|[[Gola language|Gola]]|[[Kissi language|Kissi]]|[[Grebo language|Grebo]]|[[Dewoin language|Dewoin]]|[[Mende language|Mende]]|[[Liberian Kreyol|Kreyol]]}}
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2008<ref name=CIA>{{cite web |title=Liberia |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/liberia/ |archive-date=March 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319020318/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/liberia |url-status=live |work=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |year=2021 |access-date=June 8, 2021}}</ref>
| religion               = {{Unbulleted list|
{{Tree list}}
* 85.1% [[Religion in Liberia#Christianity|Christianity]]
** 76.3% [[Protestantism]]
** 7.2% [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]]
** 1.6% other [[Christians]]
{{Tree list/end}}
  |12.2% [[Islam in Liberia|Islam]]
  |1.4% [[Irreligion|no religion]]
  |1.3% other
}}
| religion_year          = 2018
| religion_ref           = <ref>{{Cite web |date=March 26, 2018 |title=The Major Religions Practised In Liberia |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-major-religions-practised-in-liberia.html |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=WorldAtlas |language=en-US |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101144611/https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-major-religions-practised-in-liberia.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| demonym                = Liberian
| capital                = [[Monrovia]]
| coordinates            = {{Plainlist|
* {{Coord|6|30|N|9|30|W|region:LR_type:country|display=title,inline}} 
}}
| largest_city           = Monrovia
| government_type        = Unitary [[presidential system|presidential republic]]
| leader_title1          = [[President of Liberia|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Joseph Boakai]]
| leader_title2          = [[Vice President of Liberia|Vice President]]
| leader_name2           = [[Jeremiah Koung]]
| leader_title3          = [[List of speakers of the House of Representatives of Liberia|House Speaker]]
| leader_name3           = [[Richard Koon]]
| leader_title4          = [[Chief Justice of Liberia|Chief Justice]]
| leader_name4           = [[Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay]]
| legislature            = {{nowrap|[[Legislature of Liberia]]}}
| upper_house            = [[Senate of Liberia|Senate]]
| lower_house            = [[House of Representatives of Liberia|House of Representatives]]
| area_rank              = 102nd <!-- Area rank should match List of countries and dependencies by area -->
| area_sq_mi             = 43,000.<ref name=CIA/>
| percent_water          = 13.514
| population_estimate    = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 5,437,249<ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Liberia|access-date=June 22, 2023|year=2023}}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = 2024
| population_estimate_rank = 120th
| population_density_sq_mi = 92.0
| population_density_rank = 180th
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $11.420 billion<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2025
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 162nd
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $2,010<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 178th
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $5.170 billion<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2025
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 161st
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase }} $907<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 177th
| sovereignty_type       = [[History of Liberia|Formation]] and [[Independence]] from [[American Colonization Society]]<!--Note: Liberia was never colonized or claimed by the United States government. It was founded by the ACS (American Colonization Society), a private organization. Please do not change this field to include "from the United States" without first discussing it on the talk page-->
| established_event1     = [[American Colonization Society]] settlement
| established_date1      = January 7, 1822
| established_event2     = [[Liberian Declaration of Independence|Independence declared]]<!--Note: As stated above, Liberia was never colonized or claimed by the United States government. It was founded by the ACS (American Colonization Society), a private organization. Please do not change this field to include "from the United States" without first discussing it on the talk page-->
| established_date2      = July 26, 1847
| established_event3     = [[Republic of Maryland]] annexed
| established_date3      = March 18, 1857
| established_event4     = [[Constitution of Liberia|Current constitution]]
| established_date4      = January 6, 1986
| Gini_year              = 2016
| Gini_change            = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini                   = 35.3 <!--number only-->
| Gini_ref               = <ref name=gini-index>{{cite web|title=GINI index|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=LR&name_desc=false|publisher=World Bank|access-date=September 21, 2019|archive-date=May 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501233605/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=LR&name_desc=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Gini_rank              = 
| HDI_year               = 2023<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change             = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI                    = 0.510 <!--number only-->
| HDI_ref                = <ref name="UNHDR">{{Cite web |date=May 6, 2025 |title=Human Development Report 2025 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506051232/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf |archive-date=May 6, 2025 |access-date=May 6, 2025 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 177th
| currency               = [[United States dollar]] (USD)<br />[[Liberian dollar]] (LRD)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Currency |url=https://cbl.org.lr/general/currency |access-date=January 15, 2023 |website=Central Bank of Liberia |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115023814/https://cbl.org.lr/general/currency |url-status=live }}</ref>
| currency_code          = 
| utc_offset             = ±00:00
| time_zone              = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| date_format            = mm/dd/yyyy
| drives_on              = right
| calling_code           = [[+231]]
| cctld                  = [[.lr]]
| official_website       = {{URL|https://www.emansion.gov.lr/}} Executive mansion <!-- https://eliberia.gov.lr/ is insecure as of July 29, 2022, restore when site is safely available -->
| today                  = 
}}
'''Liberia''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Liberia.ogg|l|aɪ|ˈ|b|ɪəɹ|i|ə}}}} officially the '''Republic of Liberia''', is a country on the [[West Africa]]n coast. It is bordered by [[Sierra Leone]] to [[Liberia–Sierra Leone border|its northwest]], [[Guinea]] to [[Guinea–Liberia border|its north]], [[Ivory Coast]] to [[Ivory Coast–Liberia border|its east]], and the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to its south and southwest. It has a population of around 5.5{{nbsp}}million and covers an area of {{convert|43000|mi2|km2|0}}. The official language is [[English language|English]]. [[Languages of Liberia|Over 20 indigenous languages]] are spoken, reflecting the country's ethnic and cultural diversity. The capital and largest city is [[Monrovia]].

Liberia began in the early 19th century as a project of the [[American Colonization Society]] (ACS), which believed that black people would face better chances for freedom and prosperity in [[Africa]] than in the [[United States]].<ref name="AFP" /> Between 1822 and the outbreak of the [[American Civil War]] in 1861, more than 15,000 freed and free-born [[African Americans]], along with 3,198 [[Afro-Caribbeans]], relocated to Liberia.<ref name="TDIH">[http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/liberian-independence-proclaimed "July 26, 1847 Liberian independence proclaimed"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614180150/http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/liberian-independence-proclaimed |date=June 14, 2021 }}, This Day In History, History website.</ref> Gradually developing an [[Americo-Liberian people|Americo-Liberian]] identity,<ref>Cooper, Helene, ''The House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood'' (United States: Simon and Schuster, 2008), p. 6</ref><ref>[http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107718.html Liberia: History, Geography, Government, and Culture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515002753/http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107718.html |date=May 15, 2013 }}, Infoplease.com</ref> the settlers carried their culture and tradition with them while colonizing the indigenous population. Led by the [[Americo-Liberians]], Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847, which the U.S. did not [[Diplomatic recognition|recognize]] until February 5, 1862.

Liberia was the first African republic to gain independence and is Africa's oldest continuously independent country. [[Ethiopian Empire|Ethiopia]] was never colonized, but endured an [[Italian East Africa|Italian occupation]] from 1936 to 1941. Both Liberia and Ethiopia were spared from the European colonial [[Scramble for Africa]]. Early 20th century Liberia saw large investment in rubber production by [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ort |first=Jonathan |title=What Princeton Owes to Firestone’s Exploitation of Liberia |url=https://slavery.princeton.edu/stories/what-princeton-owes-to-firestone |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=slavery.princeton.edu |language=en}}</ref> These investments led to large-scale changes in Liberia's economy, work force, and climate.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sullivan |first1=Jo |last2=Webster |first2=J. B. |last3=Boahen |first3=A. A. |last4=Tidy |first4=M. |date=December 1981 |title=The Revolutionary Years: West Africa since 1800 |journal=African Studies Review |volume=24 |issue=4 |page=189 |doi=10.2307/524366 |jstor=524366 |issn=0002-0206}}</ref> During [[World War&nbsp;II]], Liberia supported the [[Military history of the United States during World War II|U.S. war effort]] against [[Nazi Germany]] and in turn received considerable American investment in infrastructure, which aided the country's wealth and development.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Connections . Liberia . Timeline |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/liberia/timeline/time3.html#:~:text=May%208,%201917:%20Pressured%20by,loses%20its%20great%20economic%20ally. |access-date=July 12, 2023 |website=www.pbs.org |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129122955/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/liberia/timeline/time3.html#:~:text=May%208,%201917:%20Pressured%20by,loses%20its%20great%20economic%20ally. |url-status=live }}</ref> President [[William Tubman]] encouraged economic and political changes that heightened the country's prosperity and international profile; Liberia was a founding member of the [[League of Nations]], [[United Nations]], and the [[Organisation of African Unity]].

In 1980, political tensions from the rule of [[William Tolbert]] resulted in [[1980 Liberian coup d'état|a&nbsp;military coup]], marking the end of Americo-Liberian rule and the seizure of power by Liberia's first indigenous leader, [[Samuel Doe]]. Establishing a dictatorial regime, Doe was assassinated in 1990 in the context of the [[First Liberian Civil War]] which ran from 1989 until 1997 with the [[1997 Liberian general election|election]] of rebel leader [[Charles Taylor (Liberian politician)|Charles Taylor]] as president. In 1998, the [[Second Liberian Civil War]] erupted against his own dictatorship, and Taylor resigned by the end of the war in 2003. The two wars resulted in the deaths of 250,000 people (about 8% of the population) and the displacement of many more, with [[Economy of Liberia|Liberia's economy]] shrinking by 90%.<ref name="veconomist" >{{cite news|title=Praise for the woman who put Liberia back on its feet|url=https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21730015-ellen-johnson-sirleaf-has-not-been-perfect-president-she-has-been-good-enough-praise|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=October 5, 2017|access-date=October 6, 2017|archive-date=May 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515065549/https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21730015-ellen-johnson-sirleaf-has-not-been-perfect-president-she-has-been-good-enough-praise|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement|peace agreement in 2003]] led to democratic elections in [[2005 Liberian general election|2005]]. The country has remained relatively stable since then.

Mining in Liberia has been a significant economic driver since the 1960s, though it largely stopped during the Liberian civil wars. Since the end of the civil wars, mining activity increased with emphasis on industrial mining. Mining has also led to concerns about environmental degradation and environmental destruction such as deforestation, water pollution, and air pollution. Industrial miners' poor wages, working conditions, and living conditions have sparked protests from the beginning of the Liberian mining industry continuing to today.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mayson |first1=Dew Tuan-Wleh |last2=Sawyer |first2=Amos |date=January 1979 |title=Capitalism and the Struggle of the Working Class in Liberia |journal=The Review of Black Political Economy |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=140–158 |doi=10.1007/bf02689542 |issn=0034-6446}}</ref><ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Liberia: Violent protests over mining security leaves one dead and many others injured |url=https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/liberia-violent-protests-over-mining-security-leaves-one-dead-and-many-others-injured/ |access-date=May 8, 2025 |website=Business & Human Rights Resource Centre |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
{{main|History of Liberia}}

=== Indigenous people ===
The presence of [[Oldowan]] artifacts in West Africa was confirmed by [[Michael Omolewa]], attesting to the presence of ancient humans.<ref name="Omolewa">{{cite book |last1=Michael |first1=Omolewa |date=1986 |title=Certificate history of Nigeria |url=https://www.africabib.org/s/rec.php?RID=406720584 |publisher=Longman |isbn=978-0-582-58518-8 |access-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414143441/https://www.africabib.org/s/rec.php?RID=406720584 }}</ref>

Undated [[Acheulean]] ([[Early Stone Age]]) artifacts are well documented across [[West Africa]]. The emerging [[chronometric dating|chronometric record]] of the [[Middle Stone Age]] (MSA) indicates that [[lithic core|core]] and [[flake tool|flake]] technologies have been present in West Africa since at least the [[Chibanian]] (~780–126 thousand years ago or [[kiloannus|ka]]) in northern, open [[Sahel]]ian zones, and that they persisted until the [[Late Pleistocene|Terminal Pleistocene]]/[[Holocene]] boundary (~12&nbsp;ka) in both northern and southern zones of West Africa. This makes them the youngest examples of such MSA technology anywhere in Africa. The presence of MSA populations in forests remains an open question. Technological differences may correlate with various [[Afrotropical realm|ecological zones]]. [[Later Stone Age]] (LSA) populations evidence significant technological diversification, including both [[Microlitic industry|microlith]]ic and [[Stone tool#Neolithic industries|macrolithic]] traditions.<ref name="Scerri">{{cite journal |last1=Eleanor |first1=Scerri |date=1986 |title=T Certificate history of Nigeria |url=https://www.africabib.org/s/rec.php?RID=406720584 |journal=AfricanBib |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.013.137 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414143441/https://www.africabib.org/s/rec.php?RID=406720584 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |access-date=July 26, 2020}}</ref>

The record shows that [[aceramic]] and [[ceramic]] LSA assemblages in West Africa overlap chronologically, and that changing densities of [[microlithic industries]] from the coast to the north are geographically structured. These features may represent social networks or some form of cultural diffusion allied to changing ecological conditions.<ref name="Scerri"/>

Microlithic industries with ceramics became common by the [[Northgrippian|Mid-Holocene]], coupled with an apparent intensification of wild food exploitation. Between ~4–3.5&nbsp;ka, these societies gradually transformed into food producers, possibly through contact with northern pastoralists and agriculturalists, as the environment became more arid. Hunter-gatherers have survived in the more forested parts of West Africa until much later, attesting to the strength of ecological boundaries in this region.<ref name="Scerri"/>

[[File:Negroland and Guinea with the European Settlements, 1736.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|A European map of West Africa and the [[Grain Coast]], 1736. It has the archaic mapping designation of [[Negroland]].]]

=== Mande expansion ===
The [[Pepper Coast]], also known as the Grain Coast, has been inhabited by indigenous peoples of Africa at least as far back as the 12th century. [[Mande peoples|Mande]]-speaking people expanded from the north and east, forcing many smaller ethnic groups southward toward the Atlantic Ocean. The [[Dei people|Dei]], [[Bassa (Liberia)|Bassa]], [[Kru people|Kru]], [[Gola (ethnic group)|Gola]], and [[Kissi people|Kissi]] were some of the earliest documented peoples in the area.<ref name=introprof>{{cite journal |last1=Dunn-Marcos |first1=Robin |last2=Kollehlon |first2=Konia T. |last3=Ngovo |first3=Bernard |last4=Russ |first4=Emily |editor-last=Ranar |editor-first=Donald A. |date=April 2005 |title=Liberians: An Introduction to their History and Culture |journal=Culture Profile |issue=19 |publisher=Center for Applied Linguistics |access-date=July 23, 2011|url=http://www.cal.org/co/liberians/liberian_050406_1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625062344/http://www.cal.org/co/liberians/liberian_050406_1.pdf|archive-date=June 25, 2008|pages=5–6}}</ref>

This influx of these groups was compounded by the decline of the [[Mali Empire]] in 1375 and the [[Songhai Empire]] in 1591. As inland regions underwent [[desertification]], inhabitants moved to the wetter coast. These new inhabitants brought skills such as cotton [[spinning (textiles)|spinning]], cloth [[weaving]], iron [[smelting]], [[rice]] and [[sorghum]] cultivation, and social and political institutions from the Mali and Songhai empires.<ref name=introprof /> Shortly after the [[Mane people|Mane]] conquered the region, the [[Vai people]] of the former Mali Empire immigrated into the [[Grand Cape Mount County]] region. The ethnic Kru opposed the influx of Vai, forming an alliance with the Mane to stop further influx of Vai.<ref>{{cite book|author=Jesse N. Mongrue M. Ed|title=Liberia-America's Footprint in Africa: Making the Cultural, Social, and Political Connections|date=2011|page=24|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=978-1-4620-2164-2}}</ref>

People along the coast built [[canoe]]s and traded with other West Africans from [[Cap-Vert]] to the [[Gold Coast (region)|Gold Coast]].

=== Early colonization ===
{{main|Colony of Liberia}}

Between 1461 and the late 17th century, [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]], [[Dutch people|Dutch]], and [[British people|British]] traders had contacts and trading posts in the region. The Portuguese named the area ''Costa da Pimenta'' ("Pepper Coast") but it later came to be known as the [[Grain Coast]], due to the abundance of [[melegueta pepper]] grains.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grain Coast Definition & Meaning |url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/grain-coast |access-date=October 18, 2023 |website=Dictionary.com |language=en |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101145334/https://www.dictionary.com/browse/grain-coast |url-status=live }}</ref> The traders would barter commodities and goods with local people.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Syfert |first=Dwight N. |date=April 1977 |title=The Liberian Coasting Trade, 1822–1900 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-african-history/article/abs/liberian-coasting-trade-18221900/889FDC6F143C53CE5BA593314D85A4A3 |journal=The Journal of African History |language=en |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=217–235 |doi=10.1017/S0021853700015504 |issn=1469-5138|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In the United States, there was a movement to settle [[African Americans]], both free-born and formerly enslaved, in Africa. This was partially because they faced racial discrimination in the form of political disenfranchisement and the denial of civil, religious, and social rights.<ref>Howard Brotz, ed., African American Social & Political Thought 1850–1920 (New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 1996), 38–39.</ref> It was also partially because slave owners and politicians feared uprisings and rebellions of enslaved peoples. They believed these uprisings would be motivated by a desire to achieve the freedoms experienced by formerly enslaved peoples, specifically freedom from violence and reunions with separated family.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Spicer |first=Christina |date=2016 |title=The Perpetual Paradox: A Look into Liberian Colonization |journal=The Ascendant Historian |volume=3 |pages=36–52 |via=University of Victoria}}</ref>

Formed in 1816, the [[American Colonization Society]] (ACS) was made up mostly of [[Quakers]] and slaveholders. Quakers believed black people would face better chances for freedom in Africa than in the U.S.<ref name="AFP">[http://www.fcnl.org/issues/item.php?item_id=731&issue_id=75 "Background on conflict in Liberia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214051143/http://www.fcnl.org/issues/item.php?item_id=731&issue_id=75 |date=February 14, 2007 }}, Friends Committee on National Legislation, July 30, 2003</ref><ref name="Sale">Maggie Montesinos Sale (1997). ''The Slumbering Volcano: American Slave Ship Revolts and the Production of Rebellious Masculinity'', Duke University Press, 1997, p. 264. {{ISBN|0822319926}}</ref> While slaveholders opposed freedom for enslaved people, some viewed "[[repatriation]]" of free people of color as a way to avoid [[slave rebellion]]s.<ref name="AFP" />

In 1822, the ACS began sending free people of color to the Pepper Coast voluntarily to establish a colony. Mortality from [[tropical disease]]s was high—of the 4,571 emigrants who arrived in Liberia between 1820 and 1843, only 1,819 survived.<ref name="Shick 1971">{{cite journal|last1=Shick|first1=Tom W.|title=A quantitative analysis of Liberian colonization from 1820 to 1843 with special reference to mortality|journal=The Journal of African History|date=January 1971|volume=12|issue=1|pages=45–59|doi=10.1017/S0021853700000062|pmid=11632218|jstor=180566|s2cid=31153316|url=http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/34895|issn=0021-8537|archive-date=December 16, 2019|access-date=November 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216123221/http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/34895}}</ref><ref name="Shick 1980">{{cite book|last1=Shick|first1=Tom W.|title=Behold the Promised Land: A History of Afro-American Settler Society in Nineteenth-century Liberia|date=1980|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|isbn=978-0-8018-2309-1}}</ref> By 1867, the ACS (and state-related chapters) had assisted in the migration of more than 13,000 people of color from the United States and the Caribbean to Liberia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/afam002.html|title=The African-American Mosaic|website=[[Library of Congress]]|date=July 23, 2010|access-date=March 31, 2015|archive-date=February 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226111511/http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/afam002.html|url-status=live}}</ref> These free African Americans and their descendants married within their community and came to identify as [[Americo-Liberian]]s. Many were of mixed race and educated in American culture; they did not identify with the indigenous natives of the tribes they encountered. They developed an ethnic group that had a cultural tradition infused with American notions of political republicanism and Protestant Christianity.<ref>{{cite thesis |last = Wegmann |first = Andrew N. |date = May 5, 2010 |title = Christian Community and the Development of an Americo-Liberian Identity, 1824–1878 |type = MA thesis |publisher = Louisiana State University |url = https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/525/ |doi = 10.31390/gradschool_theses.525 |doi-access = free |access-date = November 11, 2022 |archive-date = November 11, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221111201936/https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/525/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

According to historian Henryatta Ballah, indigenous Liberian cosmology was centralized around the existence of a supreme being and its worship through specific deities and ancestral spirits that they believed acted as intermediaries between themselves and the supreme being. Certain pieces of land were considered to be part of the spiritual land and were central to Indigenous Liberians' resistance to their loss of land through colonization. Americo-Liberians and the American Colonization Society sought to eradicate all forms of Indigenous religious practices as a form of forced assimilation and to aid in their acquisition of land and political power. The term "witchcraft" was used to describe all Indigenous cosmologies in Liberia and many missionaries described these religious practices as the most barbaric practices of all "native tribes". These ideas about Indigenous Liberian cosmologies drove large-scale assimilation in the country beginning in the 1820s and continuing for decades.<ref>{{Citation |last=Ballah |first=Henryatta L. |title=Witchcraft in Liberia |date=April 17, 2024 |encyclopedia=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History |url=https://oxfordre.com/africanhistory/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.001.0001/acrefore-9780190277734-e-1466 |access-date=May 8, 2025 |language=en |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.013.1466 |isbn=978-0-19-027773-4|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

[[File:Mitchell Map Liberia colony 1839.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Map of Liberia Colony in the 1830s, created by the ACS, and also showing Mississippi Colony and other state-sponsored colonies]]
The ACS, supported by prominent American politicians such as [[Abraham Lincoln]], [[Henry Clay]], and [[James Monroe]], believed "repatriation" was preferable to having emancipated slaves remain in the United States.<ref name="Sale"/> Similar state-based organizations established colonies in [[Mississippi-in-Africa]], [[Kentucky in Africa]], and the [[Republic of Maryland]], which Liberia later annexed. Lincoln in 1862 described Liberia as only "in a certain sense...a success", and proposed instead that free people of color be assisted to emigrate to [[Chiriquí Province|Chiriquí]], today part of Panama.<ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/lincoln5/1:812?rgn=div1;singlegenre=All;sort=occur;subview=detail;type=simple;view=fulltext;q1=April+16%2C+1862=trgt|title=Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 5|chapter=Address on Colonization to a Deputation of Negroes|date=August 14, 1862|access-date=August 21, 2019|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614183123/https://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/lincoln5/1:812?rgn=div1;singlegenre=All;sort=occur;subview=detail;type=simple;view=fulltext;q1=April+16,+1862=trgt|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Americo-Liberian settlers did not relate well to the indigenous peoples they encountered, especially those in communities of the more isolated areas. The colonial settlements were raided by the [[Kru people|Kru]] and [[Grebo people|Grebo]] from their inland chiefdoms. Encounters with indigenous people in rural areas often became violent. Believing themselves to be different from and culturally and educationally superior to the indigenous peoples, the Americo-Liberians developed as an elite minority that created and held on to political power. The Americo-Liberian settlers adopted clothing such as [[hoop skirt]]s and [[tailcoat]]s and generally viewed themselves as culturally and socially superior to indigenous Africans.<ref name="Smithsonian">{{cite journal|last1=MacDougall|first1=Clair|title=These Abandoned Buildings Are the Last Remnants of Liberia's Founding History|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/liberia-created-former-slaves-fading-into-history-180959503/|journal=[[Smithsonian Magazine]]|date=July–August 2016|access-date=June 23, 2021|archive-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420194225/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/liberia-created-former-slaves-fading-into-history-180959503/|url-status=live}}</ref> Indigenous people did not enjoy birthright citizenship in their own land until 1904.<ref name="Constitutional History">{{cite news |title=Constitutional history of Liberia |url=http://constitutionnet.org/country/liberia |access-date=July 1, 2020 |website=Constitutionnet.org |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428153518/https://constitutionnet.org/country/liberia |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Political formation ===
[[File:T. WILLIAMS (c1850) Residence of Joseph Roberts, President of the Republic of Liberia.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Residence of [[Joseph Jenkins Roberts]], first President of Liberia, between 1848 and 1852]]

On July 26, 1847, the settlers issued a [[Liberian Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and promulgated a [[Liberian Constitution of 1847|constitution]]. Based on the political principles of the [[United States Constitution]], it established the independent Republic of Liberia.<ref name=volume>{{cite book |last1=Johnston |first1=Harry Hamilton |last2=Stapf |first2=Otto |title=Liberia, Volume I |publisher=Hutchinson & Co |year=1906 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XTYbAAAAYAAJ}} Reprint (2010): {{ISBN|1-143-31505-7}}.</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Adekeye Adebajo|date=2002|title=Liberia's Civil War: Nigeria, ECOMOG, and Regional Security in West Africa|publisher=International Peace Academy|page=21|isbn=1-58826-052-6}}</ref> On August 24, Liberia adopted its 11-striped [[Flag of Liberia|national flag]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Liberia: Open Door to Travel and Investment |date=1967 |publisher=Liberia. Department of Information and Cultural Affairs |page=19|quote=This symbol of Negro liberty was first unfurled on August 24, 1847}}</ref> The [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] was the first country to recognize Liberia's independence.<ref name="Ricks">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40500884 "How a former slave gave a quilt to Queen Victoria"]; {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614180140/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40500884 |date=June 14, 2021 }}. [[BBC News]]. July 11, 2017</ref> The United States did not recognize Liberia until 1862, after the Southern states, which had strong political power in the American government, declared their secession and the formation of the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Revolutionary Summer of 1862 |url=https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2017/winter/summer-of-1862 |website=National Archives |access-date=September 20, 2020 |language=en |date=April 20, 2018 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614180151/https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2017/winter/summer-of-1862 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Liberia – No More War – Liberia's Historic Ties to America |url=https://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/liberia/history.html |work=Frontline |publisher=PBS |access-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511022917/http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/liberia/history.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Iron Ladies of Liberia – Liberian History |work=Independent Lens |publisher=PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/ironladies/history.html |access-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414114425/https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/ironladies/history.html }}</ref>

The leadership of the new nation consisted largely of the [[Americo-Liberian]]s, who at the beginning established political and economic dominance in the coastal areas that the ACS had purchased; they maintained relations with the United States and contacts in developing these areas and the resulting trade. Their passage of the 1865 Ports of Entry Act prohibited foreign commerce with the inland tribes, ostensibly to "encourage the growth of civilized values" before such trade was allowed in the region.<ref name=volume/> <!--How? -->

[[File:(1896) Departure of colored emigrants for Liberia - The Illustrated American, March 21, 1896.jpg|thumb|left|African Americans depart for Liberia, 1896. The ACS sent its last emigrants to Liberia in 1904.]]

By 1877, the [[True Whig Party]] was the country's most powerful political entity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, The Near East and Africa, Volume V - Office of the Historian |url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1951v05/d722 |access-date=July 12, 2023 |website=history.state.gov |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712124205/https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1951v05/d722 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was made up primarily of Americo-Liberians, who maintained social, economic and political dominance well into the 20th century, repeating patterns of European colonists in other nations in Africa. Competition for office was usually contained within the party; a party nomination virtually ensured election.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Cuffee |first1=Paul |last2=Ashmun |first2=Jehudi |last3=Society |first3=American Colonization |date=July 23, 2010 |title=Colonization - The African-American Mosaic Exhibition {{!}} Exhibitions (Library of Congress) |url=https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/afam002.html |access-date=July 12, 2023 |website=www.loc.gov |archive-date=February 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226111511/http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african/afam002.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Pressure from the United Kingdom, which controlled [[Sierra Leone]] to the northwest, and France, with its interests in the north and east, led to a loss of Liberia's claims to extensive territories. Both Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast annexed territories.<ref>{{Citation |last=Cole |first=Gibril R. |title=The History of Sierra Leone |date=March 25, 2021 |url=https://oxfordre.com/africanhistory/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.001.0001/acrefore-9780190277734-e-625 |encyclopedia=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History |access-date=July 12, 2023 |language=en |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.013.625 |isbn=978-0-19-027773-4|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Liberia struggled to attract investment to develop infrastructure and a larger, industrial economy.

There was a decline in the production of Liberian goods in the late 19th century, and the government struggled financially, resulting in indebtedness on a series of international loans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/liberia/overview |access-date=July 12, 2023 |website=World Bank |language=en |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712185824/https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/liberia/overview |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 16, 1892, [[Martha Ann Erskine Ricks]] met [[Queen Victoria]] at Windsor Castle and presented her with a handmade quilt, Liberia's first diplomatic gift. Born into slavery in Tennessee, Ricks said, "I had heard it often, from the time I was a child, how good the Queen had been to my people—to slaves—and how she wanted us to be free."<ref name="Ricks"/>

=== Early 20th century ===
[[File:LiberiaKing.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|[[Charles D. B. King]], 17th President of Liberia (1920–1930), with his entourage on the steps of the [[Peace Palace]], The Hague (the Netherlands), 1927.]]

==== World Wars and interwar period ====
{{further|Liberia in World War I|Liberia in World War II}}
In the early 1900s, Liberia's export trade and merchant class largely collapsed. After the partition of Africa between the European powers in the 1800s, American businesses abandoned trade with Liberia and turned to other countries in the Americas for tropical commodities. This abrupt change coupled with Liberia's weak trading links between Britain and France caused Liberia to sink into 'economic insignificance.'<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sullivan |first1=Jo |last2=Webster |first2=J. B. |last3=Boahen |first3=A. A. |last4=Tidy |first4=M. |date=December 1981 |title=The Revolutionary Years: West Africa since 1800 |journal=African Studies Review |volume=24 |issue=4 |page=189 |doi=10.2307/524366 |jstor=524366 |issn=0002-0206}}</ref> Despite this, some trade relations remained between Liberia and Germany, largely due to Germany's lack of tropical colonies.<ref name=":2" />

At the beginning of the 20th century Germany was the only major country with an interest in Liberian trade. By 1914, Germany owned one of the two banks in Liberia as these trade routes strengthened. At the beginning of the first World War, the British Navy cut off German trade with Liberia, effectively severing all Liberian trade. In 1917, Liberia declared war on Germany following the U.S. in the hopes of receiving financial aid from the Allied Powers, specifically the United States.<ref name=":2" /> The [[German bombing of Monrovia]] was the only battle in which Liberia was directly involved in [[World War I]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gillispie |first=William |date=January 2, 2018 |title=Colonialism in global conflict: Liberia's entry and participation in World War One |journal=First World War Studies |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=111–129 |doi=10.1080/19475020.2018.1520137 |issn=1947-5020}}</ref> Subsequently, it was [[List of participants to Paris Peace Conference, 1919–1920#Other national representatives|one of 32 nations]] to take part in the [[Versailles Peace Conference]] in 1919, which ended the war and established the [[League of Nations]]; Liberia was among the few African and non-Western nations to participate in the conference and the founding of the league.<ref name="Heffinck">{{cite web |last1=Heffinck |first1=Ariane |title=Liberia: A Nation in Recovery |url=https://una-gp.org/2014/02/17/liberia-a-nation-in-recovery/ |website=una-gp.org |publisher=United Nations Association of Philadelphia |access-date=August 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107000113/https://una-gp.org/2014/02/17/liberia-a-nation-in-recovery/ |archive-date=November 7, 2018 }}</ref>

Though aid from the United States was promised to Liberia in the amount of $5 million, the US Congress refused to sanction an official loan after the end of the First World War. When this aid did not come and trade continued to dwindle, Liberia was forced to borrow from the Bank of British West Africa, furthering its debt from the $800,000 it owed in 1904. These financial difficulties helped pave the way for multinational foreign investment companies, specifically those interested in rubber, to make their way into Liberia in the 1920s.<ref name=":2" />

In the early 1920s, the British Empire controlled 67 percent of rubber output. As a result of the depression of 1921–1922, rubber prices fell. In order to protect British plantations, the British Empire placed export duties on rubber. In response, Firestone Tire and Rubber Company looked to begin a rubber plantation in Liberia. Liberia's precarious financial situation and tensions with European powers following the first World War put them at risk for a losing conflict with the United Kingdom and France. Because of this, Liberia agreed to a 99-year lease on one million acres of land in exchange for Firestone's aid in the liquidation of Liberia's indebtedness. This eased tensions with the European banks to whom Liberia owed money and allowed Liberia to focus economically on infrastructure and defense. Despite this exchange, Liberia and its peoples were hesitant about the agreement due to Firestone's proposed extensive involvement in the Liberian economy and government. Regardless of opposition, Liberia was unable to separate Firestone's involvement in the country's financial and governmental sectors due to the company's financial aid and Liberia's debt. Liberia eventually agreed to Firestone's terms at the urging of the United States government.<ref name=":2" />

The onset of the 1929 depression in the United States caused an extreme drop in the price of rubber, significantly lowering rubber plantations' expected revenue. In light of this, Liberia sought to relieve itself of its repayment obligations to Firestone. Firestone was not responsive to the Liberians' requests, and in December 1932 Liberia unilaterally suspended repayment. Work on the plantation was suspended, and Firestone called on the U.S. government to send a warship to Monrovia. The dispute was settled in 1935, with Firestone advancing $650,000 to Liberia and gaining exemption from the export tax and from personal income tax on its expatriate employees for the rest of the time it took to repay the loan.<ref name=":2" />

Firestone was confronted with labor force issues within its Liberia plantations. The Liberian people had, up to that point, largely participated in subsistence agriculture and did not participate in a market economy. This made it difficult for Firestone to develop a wage-labor force. In response, the company attempted to redesign Liberia's economic and labor system through impressment, tax systems designed to pry labor out of the traditional economy by creating need for cash income, and forced labor. Because of Firestone's existence as the only major employer besides the Liberian government, these exploitative systems existed until they were abolished in the 1970s. However, scholars such as Animesh Ghoshal argue that these colonial structures still exist today in different forms.<ref name=":2" />

In [[1927 Liberian general election|1927, the country's elections]] again showed the power of the True Whig Party, with electoral proceedings that have been called some of the most rigged ever;<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110727120702/http://www.newdemocrat.org/other/1MayNEC.html Elections Chief Hints Slashing Numbers of Mushrooming Parties for 2005 Polls] New Democrat</ref> the winning candidate was declared to have received votes amounting to more than 15 times the number of eligible voters.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Akwei |first=Ismail |date=October 8, 2017 |title=Elections history in Africa's oldest democratic republic: Liberia |url=https://www.africanews.com/2017/10/08/elections-history-in-africa-s-oldest-democratic-republic-liberia |access-date=March 22, 2023 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406105547/https://www.africanews.com/2017/10/08/elections-history-in-africa-s-oldest-democratic-republic-liberia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> (The loser actually received around 60% of the eligible vote.)<ref name=":1"/>

Soon after, allegations of [[modern slavery]] in Liberia led the League of Nations to establish the [[Cuthbert Christy#Christy commission|Christy Commission]]. Findings included government involvement in widespread "forced or compulsory labour". Minority ethnic groups especially were exploited in a system that enriched well-connected elites.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Christy|first=Cuthbert|date=December 15, 1930|title=Commission's Report: International Commission of Enquiry in Liberia |url=http://biblio-archive.unog.ch/Dateien/CouncilMSD/C-658-M-272-1930-VI_EN.pdf|journal=League of Nations|page=127|access-date=October 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412091820/https://biblio-archive.unog.ch/Dateien/CouncilMSD/C-658-M-272-1930-VI_EN.pdf|archive-date=April 12, 2019}}</ref> As a result of the report, President [[Charles D. B. King]] and Vice President [[Allen N. Yancy]] resigned.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liberiapastandpresent.org/1926FirestoneCA.htm|title=President Charles D.B. King|last=Van der Kraaij|first=Fred PM|access-date=February 5, 2018|website=Liberia Past and Present|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119001654/http://www.liberiapastandpresent.org/1926FirestoneCA.htm|archive-date=January 19, 2018}}</ref>

In the mid-20th century, Liberia gradually began to modernize with American assistance. During [[World War II]], the United States made major infrastructure improvements to support its military efforts in Africa and Europe against Germany. It built the [[Freeport of Monrovia]] and [[Roberts International Airport]] under the [[Lend-Lease]] program before its entry into the Second World War.<ref name="opendoor">{{cite journal |last1=Marinelli |first1=Lawrence |year=1964 |title=Liberia's Open Door Policy |journal=The Journal of Modern African Studies |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=91–98 |doi=10.1017/s0022278x00003694|s2cid=153385644 }}</ref>

In 1944, President Tubman announced his "Open Door" policy. This policy, which encouraged foreign investment, gave Liberia an attractive climate for foreign investment and increased involvement of multinational foreign investment in the country. Despite this, Firestone remained and still remains one of the largest influences on the Liberian economy. This influence has raised concerns in regards to the effects of foreign investment on Liberia's political and economic policies. Economists such as Elliot Berg have stated that economic growth may be confined to export goods with foreign producers, which removes some of Liberia's economic autonomy.<ref name=":2" /> In international affairs, it was a founding member of the [[United Nations]], a vocal critic of [[South Africa]]n [[apartheid]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,899287,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028154941/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,899287,00.html|archive-date=October 28, 2010|title=Africa: A Vote on Apartheid|magazine=Time|date=July 29, 1966|access-date=July 20, 2011}}</ref> a proponent of African independence from European colonial powers, and a supporter of [[Pan-Africanism]]. Liberia also helped to fund the [[Organisation of African Unity]].<ref>
{{cite journal|last1 = Adogamh|first1 = Paul G.|date = July 2008|title = Pan-Africanism Revisited: Vision and Reality of African Unity and Development|journal = African Review of Integration|volume = 2|issue = 2|url = http://www.africa-union.org/root/ua/Newsletter/EA/Vol2%20No2/Adogamhe.pdf|access-date = July 20, 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110925055350/http://www.africa-union.org/root/ua/Newsletter/EA/Vol2%20No2/Adogamhe.pdf|archive-date = September 25, 2011}}</ref>

=== Late 20th-century political instability ===
[[File:Technical Liberia.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|A [[Technical (vehicle)|technical]] in Monrovia during the [[Second Liberian Civil War]]]]

On April 12, 1980, [[1980 Liberian coup d'état|a military coup]] led by Master Sergeant [[Samuel Doe]] of the [[Krahn]] ethnic group overthrew and killed President [[William R. Tolbert Jr.]] Doe and the other plotters later executed most of Tolbert's cabinet and other Americo-Liberian government officials and True Whig Party members on a Monrovia beach.<ref name=global>{{cite web|author=Anjali Mitter Duva|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/liberia/essays/uspolicy/|title=Liberia and the United States: A Complex Relationship|publisher=PBS|year=2002|access-date=July 20, 2011|archive-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405040412/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/liberia/essays/uspolicy/|url-status=live}}</ref> The coup leaders formed the [[People's Redemption Council]] (PRC) to govern the country.<ref name=global/> A strategic [[Cold War]] ally of the West, Doe received significant financial backing from the United States while critics condemned the PRC for corruption and political repression.<ref name=global/>

After Liberia adopted a [[Constitution of Liberia|new constitution]] in 1985, Doe was elected president in [[1985 Liberian general election|subsequent elections]] that were internationally condemned as fraudulent.<ref name=global/> On November 12, 1985, a failed coup was launched by [[Thomas Quiwonkpa]], whose soldiers briefly occupied the national [[radio station]].<ref name=notes>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1050633,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915040235/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1050633,00.html|archive-date=September 15, 2010|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=Liberia Comrades Turned Enemies|magazine=Time|date=November 25, 1985 |access-date=July 22, 2011}}</ref> Government repression intensified in response, as Doe's troops responded by executing members of the [[Gio people|Gio]] and [[Mano people|Mano]] ethnic groups in [[Nimba County]].<ref name=notes/>

The [[National Patriotic Front of Liberia]], a rebel group led by [[Charles Taylor (Liberia)|Charles Taylor]], launched an insurrection in December 1989 against Doe's government with the backing of neighboring countries such as [[Burkina Faso]] and [[Ivory Coast]]. This triggered the [[First Liberian Civil War]].<ref>
{{cite book |last=Ellis|first=Stephen |title=The Mask of Anarchy Updated Edition: The Destruction of Liberia and the Religious Dimension of an African Civil War |publisher=NYU Press |year=2001 |page=75 |isbn=0-8147-2238-5}}</ref> By September 1990, Doe's forces controlled only a small area just outside the capital, and Doe was captured and executed in that month by rebel forces.<ref name=bbc>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1043500.stm |title=Liberia country profile |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=May 4, 2011 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=October 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019032026/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1043500.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The rebels soon split into conflicting factions. The [[Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group|Economic Community Monitoring Group]] under the [[Economic Community of West African States]] organized an armed intervention.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 22, 2018 |title=Liberia profile – Timeline |language=en-GB |publisher=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13732188 |access-date=August 30, 2022 |archive-date=August 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830203707/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13732188 |url-status=live }}</ref> Between 1989 and 1997, around 60,000 to 80,000 Liberians died, and, by 1996, around 700,000 others had been displaced into refugee camps in neighboring countries.<ref>World Peace Foundation, [https://sites.tufts.edu/atrocityendings/2015/08/07/liberia-first-civil-war/ ''Mass Atrocity Endings: Liberia''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211222239/https://sites.tufts.edu/atrocityendings/2015/08/07/liberia-first-civil-war/ |date=February 11, 2021 }}, Medford, Massachusetts: Tufts University, August 7, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2020</ref> A peace deal between warring parties was reached in 1995, leading to [[1997 Liberian general election|Taylor's election as president in 1997]].<ref name=bbc/>

Under Taylor's leadership, Liberia became a [[pariah state]] due to its use of [[blood diamond]]s and illegal [[timber]] exports to fund the [[Revolutionary United Front]] in the [[Sierra Leone Civil War]].<ref name=warrant>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2961390.stm |title=Arrest warrant for Liberian leader |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=June 4, 2003 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928082753/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2961390.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Second Liberian Civil War]] began in 1999 when [[Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy]], a rebel group based in the northwest of the country, launched an armed insurrection against Taylor.<ref name=cbc>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/liberia/|title=Indepth: Liberia, Land of the free|newspaper=CBC News|date=July 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908174543/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/liberia/|archive-date=September 8, 2013}}</ref>

=== 21st century ===
In March 2003, a second rebel group, [[Movement for Democracy in Liberia]], began launching attacks against Taylor from the southeast.<ref name=cbc/> Peace talks between the factions began in [[Accra]] in June of that year, and Taylor was indicted by the [[Special Court for Sierra Leone]] (SCSL) for crimes against humanity the same month.<ref name=warrant/> By July 2003, the rebels had launched an [[Siege of Monrovia|assault on Monrovia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2003/07/24/fiddling-while-monrovia-burns |title=Liberia's civil war: Fiddling while Monrovia burns |newspaper=The Economist |date=July 24, 2003 |access-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208115445/http://www.economist.com/node/1944472?story_id=E1_TJQQQSN |url-status=live }}</ref> Under heavy pressure from the international community and the domestic [[Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace]] movement,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15215312 |title=Profile: Leymah Gbowee{{snd}}Liberia's 'peace warrior' |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=October 7, 2011 |access-date=October 20, 2011 |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530220828/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15215312 |url-status=live }}</ref> Taylor resigned in August 2003 and went into exile in [[Nigeria]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Ann M. |last=Simmons |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2003/08/12/taylor-resigns-as-president-of-liberia-leaves-the-country/ |title=Taylor resigns as president of Liberia, leaves the country |newspaper=Baltimore Sune |date=August 12, 2003 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111130718/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2003-08-12/news/0308120316_1_charles-taylor-liberia-sierra-leone |url-status=live }}</ref> A peace deal was signed later that month.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/aug/19/westafrica |title=Liberian rebels sign peace deal |newspaper=The Guardian |date=August 19, 2003 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131034059/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/aug/19/westafrica |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[United Nations Mission in Liberia]] began arriving in September 2003 to provide security and monitor the peace accord,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsite.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportID=47807 |title=Liberia: UNMIL extends deployment as more troops arrive |work=IRIN News |date=December 24, 2003 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=January 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117190239/http://newsite.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportID=47807 }}</ref> and an interim government took power the following October.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/oct/14/westafrica |title=Bryant takes power in Liberia |newspaper=The Guardian |date=October 14, 2003 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131034209/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/oct/14/westafrica |url-status=live }}</ref> The subsequent [[2005 Liberian general election|2005 elections]] were internationally regarded as the freest and fairest in Liberian history.<ref name=freedom/> [[Ellen Johnson Sirleaf]], a US-educated economist, former Minister of Finance and future [[Nobel Peace Prize]] winner, was elected as the first female president in Africa.<ref name=freedom/> Upon her inauguration, Sirleaf requested the extradition of Taylor from Nigeria and transferred him to the SCSL for trial in [[The Hague]].<ref>{{cite web |date=March 17, 2006 |title=Liberia–Nigeria: "Time to bring Taylor issue to closure," says Sirleaf |url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2006/03/17/%E2%80%9Ctime-bring-taylor-issue-closure%E2%80%9D-says-sirleaf |access-date=January 23, 2023 |work=[[The New Humanitarian]] |archive-date=May 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504151733/http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=58474 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://unmil.org/1article.asp?id=1157&zdoc=1 |title=Taylor Sent Off to Face War Crimes Charges |work=AFP |publisher=UNMIL |date=March 29, 2006 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005100159/http://unmil.org/1article.asp?id=1157&zdoc=1 |archive-date=October 5, 2011 }}</ref>

In 2006, the government established a [[Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Liberia)|Truth and Reconciliation Commission]] to address the causes and crimes of the civil war.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 21, 2006 |title=War-battered nation launches truth commission |url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/report/58220/liberia-war-battered-nation-launches-truth-commission |access-date=January 23, 2023 |work=[[The New Humanitarian]] |archive-date=February 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222114809/http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=58220 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, July 26 was proclaimed by President Sirleaf as National Independence Day.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://mofa.gov.lr/public2/2press.php?news_id=397&related=7&pg=sp |title=Tuesday, July 26, is National Independence Day; to be Observed as National Holiday |publisher=Government of the Republic of Liberia Ministry of Foreign Affairs |access-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-date=August 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802050652/https://mofa.gov.lr/public2/2press.php?news_id=397&related=7&pg=sp }}</ref> In October 2011, peace activist [[Leymah Gbowee]] received the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] in her work of leading a women's peace movement that brought to an end to the [[Second Liberian Civil War]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Founder |url=https://www.gboweepeaceusa.org/our-founder |website=Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa-USA |access-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116232107/https://www.gboweepeaceusa.org/our-founder |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2011, President Sirleaf was [[2011 Liberian general election|re-elected]] for a second six-year term.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sirleaf seen winning Liberia run-off vote |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-liberia-election-preview-idUSTRE7A62BD20111107 |work=Reuters |date=November 7, 2011 |language=en |access-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116232638/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-liberia-election-preview-idUSTRE7A62BD20111107 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the [[2017 Liberian general election]], former professional [[Association football|football]] striker [[George Weah]], considered one of the greatest African players of all time,<ref name="journey">{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.za/2018/01/23/from-football-king-to-liberian-president-george-weahs-journey_a_23340918/ |title=From Football King To Liberian President – George Weah's Journey |work=Huffington Post |author1=Nkosinathi Shazi |date=January 23, 2018 |access-date=October 3, 2018 |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116174121/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.za/2018/01/23/from-football-king-to-liberian-president-george-weahs-journey_a_23340918/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Top 10 Greatest African Strikers |url=http://www.joburgpost.co.za/2017/06/06/top-10-greatest-african-strikers/ |access-date=August 27, 2018 |work=Johannesburg Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220025546/http://www.joburgpost.co.za/2017/06/06/top-10-greatest-african-strikers/ |archive-date=February 20, 2019 }}</ref> was sworn in as president on January 22, 2018, becoming the fourth youngest serving president in Africa.<ref name="Listwand">{{cite news|title=Top 10 youngest serving presidents in Africa, 2018|url=https://listwand.com/2018/01/top-10-youngest-presidents-in-africa-updated/|agency=Listwand|date=October 3, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2019|archive-date=October 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003125007/https://listwand.com/2018/01/top-10-youngest-presidents-in-africa-updated/}}</ref> The inauguration marked Liberia's first fully democratic transition in 74 years.<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news|title=George Weah sworn in as Liberia's president|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42773165 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=March 22, 2018|access-date=October 26, 2019|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614181951/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42773165|url-status=live}}</ref> Weah cited fighting corruption, reforming the economy, combating illiteracy, and improving living conditions as the main targets of his presidency.<ref name="BBC News"/> Opposition leader [[Joseph Boakai]] defeated Weah in the tightly contested [[2023 Liberian general election|2023 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Liberia's George Weah concedes presidential election defeat to Joseph Boakai |url=https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20231118-liberia-s-george-weah-concedes-presidential-election-ahead-of-final-result |work=France 24 |date=November 18, 2023 |language=en |access-date=December 2, 2023 |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202164031/https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20231118-liberia-s-george-weah-concedes-presidential-election-ahead-of-final-result |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 22, 2024, Boakai was sworn in as Liberia's new president.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boakai sworn in as new Liberia president after victory over Weah |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/22/boakai-sworn-in-as-new-liberia-president-after-victory-over-weah |work=Al Jazeera |language=en |access-date=February 15, 2024 |archive-date=February 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206122521/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/22/boakai-sworn-in-as-new-liberia-president-after-victory-over-weah |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{clear left}}

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Liberia}}

[[File:Topographic map of Liberia-en.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|A map of Liberia]]

Liberia is situated in [[West Africa]], bordering the North Atlantic Ocean to the country's southwest. It lies between latitudes [[4th parallel north|4°]] and [[9th parallel north|9°N]], and longitudes [[7th meridian west|7°]] and [[12th meridian west|12°W]].

The landscape is characterized by mostly flat to rolling coastal plains that contain [[mangrove]]s and [[swamp]]s, which rise to a rolling plateau and low mountains in the northeast.<ref name="eowg">{{cite book|last=Bateman|first=Graham|author2=Victoria Egan |author3=Fiona Gold |author4=Philip Gardner |title=Encyclopedia of World Geography|publisher=Barnes & Noble Books|location=New York|year=2000|page=161|isbn=1-56619-291-9}}</ref>

Tropical [[rainforest]]s cover the hills, while elephant grass and [[semi-deciduous]] forests make up the dominant vegetation in the northern sections.<ref name="eowg"/>

Liberia's watershed tends to move in a southwestern pattern toward the sea as new rains move down the forested plateau off the inland mountain range of [[Guinée Forestière]], in [[Guinea]]. [[Grand Cape Mount County|Cape Mount]] near the border with [[Sierra Leone]] receives the most precipitation in the nation.<ref name="eowg"/>

Liberia's main northwestern boundary is traversed by the Mano River while its southeast limits are bounded by the [[Cavalla River]].<ref name="eowg"/> Liberia's three largest rivers are [[Saint Paul River|St. Paul]] exiting near [[Monrovia]], the river [[Saint John River (Liberia)|St. John]] at [[Buchanan, Liberia|Buchanan]], and the [[Cestos River]], all of which flow into the Atlantic. The Cavalla is the longest river in the nation at {{convert|320|mi|km}}.<ref name="eowg"/>

The highest point wholly within Liberia is [[Mount Wuteve]] at {{convert|4724|ft|m}} [[above sea level]] in the northwestern Liberia range of the West Africa Mountains and the [[Guinea Highlands]].<ref name="eowg"/> [[Mount Nimba]], near [[Yekepa]], is higher at {{convert|1752|m|ft}} [[above sea level]], but is not wholly within Liberia as Nimba is located at the point where Liberia borders both Guinea and [[Ivory Coast]]. Nimba is thus the tallest mountain in those countries, as well.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/155/ |access-date=August 17, 2023 |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923080631/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/155/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Climate ===
{{See also|Climate change in Liberia}}
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map LBR present.svg|thumb|Liberia map of Köppen climate classification]]

The equatorial climate, in the south of the country, is hot year-round with heavy rainfall from May to October with a short interlude in mid-July to August.<ref name="eowg"/> During the winter months of November to March, dry dust-laden [[harmattan]] winds blow inland, causing many problems for residents.<ref name="eowg"/> Climate change in Liberia causes many problems as Liberia is particularly [[Climate change vulnerability|vulnerable to climate change]]. Like many [[Climate change in Africa|other countries in Africa]], Liberia both faces existing [[Environmental issues in Liberia|environmental issues]], as well as [[sustainable development]] challenges.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Building effective climate governance in Liberia – Liberia|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/liberia/building-effective-climate-governance-liberia|website=ReliefWeb|date=March 8, 2018|language=en|access-date=May 21, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803074644/https://reliefweb.int/report/liberia/building-effective-climate-governance-liberia|url-status=live}}</ref> Because of its location in Africa, it is vulnerable to [[extreme weather]], the coastal effects of [[sea level rise]], and changing water systems and water availability.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Climate Risk Profile: Liberia|url=https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/climate-change-risk-profile-liberia|website=Climatelinks|date=February 28, 2017|language=en|access-date=May 21, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803145708/https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/climate-change-risk-profile-liberia|url-status=live}}</ref> Climate change is expected to severely affect the [[economy of Liberia]], especially agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. Liberia has been an active participant in international and local policy changes related to climate change.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Blackmore|first=R.D.|title=Lorna Doone|publisher=Ryerson Press|isbn=0-665-26503-4|oclc=1084383140}}</ref>

Rubber production, along with Liberia's large-scale production of palm oil, has affected the country's climate. Clearing tropical forest to create farmland has led to a loss of biodiversity and the release of large amounts of greenhouse gases. Despite this, fertilizer use has been the main contributor to the carbon footprint of latex, which is a crucial ingredient in rubber production. According to the president of the Rubber Planters Association of Liberia, Wilhelmina G. Mulbah, high prices and lack of availability of fertilizers have led to almost no fertilizer use among small farmers. Because of this, much of the carbon footprint of latex due to fertilizer use can be attributed to rubber plantations. According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the expanse of rubber production into forestland could lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation and fertilizer use.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last1=Antonanzas |first1=J. |last2=Quinn |first2=J. C. |date=May 12, 2024 |title=Carbon footprint assessment of natural rubber derived from Liberian hevea trees |journal=International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology |volume=22 |issue=2 |pages=667–678 |doi=10.1007/s13762-024-05678-6 |issn=1735-1472}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=van Straaten |first1=Oliver |last2=Corre |first2=Marife D. |last3=Wolf |first3=Katrin |last4=Tchienkoua |first4=Martin |last5=Cuellar |first5=Eloy |last6=Matthews |first6=Robin B. |last7=Veldkamp |first7=Edzo |date=August 11, 2015 |title=Conversion of lowland tropical forests to tree cash crop plantations loses up to one-half of stored soil organic carbon |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |language=en |volume=112 |issue=32 |pages=9956–9960 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1504628112 |doi-access=free |pmid=26217000 |issn=0027-8424|pmc=4538652 |bibcode=2015PNAS..112.9956V }}</ref>

Palm oil production also has effects on the Liberian climate. Industrial oil palm plantations reduce the amount of land available to surrounding communities for sustenance agriculture. Deforestation has led to a decrease in the availability of bushmeat, affecting household diets and the incomes of families who sell bushmeat. Changes in water resource use have decreased water availability for local households and communities, specifically those located near palm oil plantations.<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last1=Marshall |first1=Cicely A. M. |last2=Guahn |first2=Marshall M. |last3=Jones |first3=Tiecanna |last4=Jah |first4=Morris T. |last5=Hadfield |first5=Peter M. |last6=Saputra |first6=Ari |last7=Widodo |first7=Rudy |last8=Freeman |first8=Benedictus |last9=Draper |first9=William |last10=Caliman |first10=Jean-Pierre |last11=Turner |first11=Edgar C. |last12=Pashkevich |first12=Michael D. |date=December 16, 2024 |title=Plant biodiversity, vegetation structure and provisioning services in rainforest, traditional and industrial oil palm cultivation systems in Liberia, West Africa |journal=Plants, People, Planet |volume=7 |issue=4 |pages=1165–1179 |language=en |doi=10.1002/ppp3.10621 |issn=2572-2611|doi-access=free }}</ref>

Liberia's mining industry has also been linked to changes in the Liberian environment and climate.&nbsp; The mining industry and water resources are critically linked, as mining uses substantial amounts of water, and the industry also has major effects on surface and ground water resources. With renewed interest in Liberia's mining sector after the end of their second civil war, there was a reopening of major mines such as the Nimba iron mine. These actions have raised concern over their potential effects on water quality, human health, and ecosystem health due to waste rocks, water use, and increased sediment load due to high erosion potential of soil. This erosion and runoff have raised further concerns about the discharge of toxic substances, such as cyanides and heavy metals including acid mine drainage (AMD) that can cause long-term impairment to watercourses and biodiversity.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last1=Wilson |first1=Samuel T. K. |last2=Wang |first2=Hongtao |last3=Kabenge |first3=Martin |last4=Qi |first4=Xuejiao |date=August 2017 |title=The mining sector of Liberia: current practices and environmental challenges |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11356-017-9647-4 |journal=Environmental Science and Pollution Research |language=en |volume=24 |issue=23 |pages=18711–18720 |doi=10.1007/s11356-017-9647-4 |pmid=28721616 |bibcode=2017ESPR...2418711W |issn=0944-1344|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Communities in Liberia have experienced a significant reduction in forest reserves and access to water since oil palm operations began. This has negatively affected access to foods such as bushmeat and native plants. The Malaysian corporation Sime Darby was fined by the Liberian Environmental Protection Agency for deforestation near rivers, which has affected food and water access for locals. Rubber production has caused similar land use and food access challenges for local communities. Liberia's mining sector has similarly inhibited access to water and arable farmland.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last1=Balachandran |first1=L |last2=Herb |first2=E |last3=Timirzi |first3=S |last4=O'Reilly |first4=E |date=October 2012 |title=Everyone must eat? Liberia, food security and palm oil |journal=International Conference on Global Land Grabbing II, Ithaca, NY |pages=17–19}}</ref>

=== Biodiversity and conservation ===
{{Main|Wildlife of Liberia}}

{{Further|Environmental issues in Liberia}}
[[File:Liberia tropical forest.jpg|thumb|A Liberian tropical forest]]

[[Forest]]s on the coastline are composed mostly of salt-tolerant [[mangrove]] trees, while the more sparsely populated inland has forests opening onto a plateau of drier [[grassland]]s. The climate is [[Tropical rainforest climate|equatorial]], with significant [[rain]]fall during the May–October [[rainy season]] and harsh [[harmattan]] winds the remainder of the year. Liberia possesses about forty percent of the remaining [[Upper Guinean forest|Upper Guinean rainforest]]. It was an important producer of [[rubber]] in the early 20th century.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Ghoshal |first=Animesh |title=Multinational Investment and the Development of an Export Industry: Rubber in Liberia |date=1982 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24328535 |journal=Transafrican Journal of History |volume=11 |pages=92–111 |jstor=24328535 |issn=0251-0391 |access-date=July 26, 2022 |archive-date=July 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726144431/https://www.jstor.org/stable/24328535 |url-status=live }}</ref> Liberian rubber production became a major economic driver in the early 20th century with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company's investment in the Country in the early 1920s. Despite its importance as an export good, Liberia's rubber industry has faced criticism for the environmental degradation it causes. The need for land for rubber plantations has led to deforestation, reducing Liberia's biodiversity and food access for Liberian peoples. Fertilizer use on rubber plantations has contributed to waterway pollution and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, causing damage to aquatic ecosystems and health problems for local Liberian communities.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" />

Four terrestrial ecoregions lie within Liberia's borders: [[Guinean montane forests]], [[Western Guinean lowland forests]], [[Guinean forest–savanna mosaic]], and [[Guinean mangroves]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|display-authors=1|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287|doi-access=free}}</ref> 

[[File:U.S.DOC(1965) Liberia. Money Trees.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Loggers and logging truck, early 1960s]]

Liberia is a global [[biodiversity hotspot]]—a significant reservoir of [[biodiversity]] that is under threat from humans.<ref name="mmg">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29321143|title=Liberia in 'trees for cash' deal|first=Matt|last=McGrath |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=September 23, 2014|access-date=July 29, 2018|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614181643/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29321143|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Choeropsis.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|[[Pygmy hippo]]s are among the species illegally hunted for food in Liberia.<ref name="Anne Look"/> The [[World Conservation Union]] estimates that there are fewer than 3,000 pygmy hippos remaining in the wild.<ref name="Redlist">{{cite iucn |author=Ransom, C. |author2=Robinson, P.T. |author3=Collen, B. |date=2015 |title=''Choeropsis liberiensis'' |volume=2015 |article-number=e.T10032A18567171 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T10032A18567171.en |access-date=November 11, 2021}} Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of endangered.</ref>]]

Endangered species are hunted for human consumption as [[bushmeat]] in Liberia.<ref name="Anne Look"/> Species hunted for food in Liberia include [[elephant]]s, [[pygmy hippopotamus]], [[chimpanzee]]s, [[leopard]]s, [[duiker]]s, and other monkeys.<ref name="Anne Look"/> Bushmeat is often exported to neighboring Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast, despite a ban on the cross-border sale of wild animals.<ref name="Anne Look">Anne Look, [https://www.voanews.com/a/370590.html "Poaching in Liberia's Forests Threatens Rare Animals"], [[Voice of America]] News, May 8, 2012.</ref>

Bushmeat is widely eaten in Liberia, and is considered a delicacy.<ref name="Wynfred Russell"/> A 2004 public opinion survey found that bushmeat ranked second behind fish amongst residents of the capital Monrovia as a preferred source of protein.<ref name="Wynfred Russell"/> Of households where bushmeat was served, 80% of residents said they cooked it "once in a while," while 13% cooked it once a week and 7% cooked bushmeat daily.<ref name="Wynfred Russell"/> The survey was conducted during the last civil war, and bushmeat consumption is now believed to be far higher.<ref name="Wynfred Russell">Wynfred Russell, [http://www.frontpageafricaonline.com/index.php/op-ed/commentaries-features/380-extinction-is-forever-a-crisis-that-is-liberia-s-endangered-wildlife "Extinction is forever: A crisis that is Liberia's endangered wildlife"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191753/http://www.frontpageafricaonline.com/index.php/op-ed/commentaries-features/380-extinction-is-forever-a-crisis-that-is-liberia-s-endangered-wildlife |date=March 3, 2016 }}, [[Front Page Africa]], January 15, 2014.</ref>

''[[Trypanosoma brucei gambiense]]'' is [[endemism (epidemiology)|endemic]] in some animal hosts here including both [[domestic animal|domestic]] and [[wild animal|wild]].<ref name="Trypanosoma-brucei-gambiense"/> This causes the disease ''[[nagana]]''.<ref name="Trypanosoma-brucei-gambiense"/> In [[pig]]s here and in [[Ivory Coast]], that includes [[Trypanosoma brucei gambiense group 1|''Tbg'' group 1]]. ''Tbg'' and its vector ''[[Glossina palpalis gambiense]]'' are a constant presence in the rainforests here.<ref name="Trypanosoma-brucei-gambiense"/> Much research into ''Tbg'' was performed in the 1970s by Mehlitz and by Gibson, both working in [[Bong mine|Bong Mine]] with samples from around the country.<ref name="Trypanosoma-brucei-gambiense"/> The [[Pye-dog|West African pariah dog]] is also a host for ''Tbg''.<ref name="Trypanosoma-brucei-gambiense">{{cite journal | year=2019 | volume=6 | publisher=[[Elsevier]] | first1=D. | journal=[[Parasite Epidemiology and Control]] | issn=2405-6731 | last1=Mehlitz | last2=Molyneux | first2=D. H. | title=The elimination of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense? Challenges of reservoir hosts and transmission cycles: Expect the unexpected | doi=10.1016/j.parepi.2019.e00113 | article-number=e00113| pmid=31528738 | pmc=6742776 }}</ref>

The Desert Locust (''[[Schistocerca gregaria]]'') is a constant presence here.<ref name="Bulletin-2021">{{cite web | year=2021 | location=[[Rome]] | publisher=UN FAO (United Nations [[Food and Agriculture Organization]]) | url=https://www.fao.org/ag/locusts/common/ecg/1914/en/DL516e.pdf | author=[[Desert Locust Information Service]] | title=Desert Locust Bulletin – General situation during September 2021 – Forecast until mid-November 2021 | access-date=September 13, 2022 | archive-date=October 15, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015065215/https://www.fao.org/ag/locusts/common/ecg/1914/en/DL516e.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref>

The Hairy Slit-Faced Bat (''[[Nycteris hispida]]'') suffers from [[malaria]] here.<ref name="Manwell">{{cite journal | publisher=[[Society for Epidemiologic Research]] & [[Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins]] ([[Oxford University Press]]) | journal=[[American Journal of Epidemiology]] | last=Manwell | first=Reginald D. | volume=43 | issue=1 | date=January 1946 | issn=1476-6256 | doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a119047 | pages=1–12 | title=Bat Malaria| pmid=21011556 }}</ref>

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), about 99.5% of Liberian peoples rely on biomass (firewood, charcoal and palm oil) for their energy needs. This trend poses a threat to biodiversity and forests, since the production of these fuels is done in an unsustainable manner. Much of this fuel is obtained through deforestation or mining, both of which have been shown to have negative impacts on the Liberian environment. This production is largely driven by foreign multinational corporations.<ref name=":4">Brandolini, G., & Tigani, M. (2006). Liberia environmental profile. ''Report for the European Commission and the'', 1-110.</ref> Pre-colonial Liberia was largely a self-sufficient society. However, according to scholar Aminesh Ghoshal, colonists and multinational corporations altered Liberian labor and economic systems in order to secure a labor force for commercial activities like mining or plantation agriculture.<ref name=":2" />

[[Illegal logging]] has increased in Liberia since the end of the [[Second Liberian Civil War|Second Civil War in 2003]].<ref name="mmg"/> In 2012, President Sirleaf granted licenses to companies to cut down 58% of all the primary rainforest left in Liberia.<ref name="mmg"/> After international protests, many of those logging permits were canceled.<ref name="mmg"/> In September 2014, Liberia and Norway struck an agreement whereby Liberia ceased all logging in exchange for $150 million in development aid.<ref name="mmg"/>

Palm oil production has motivated deforestation of large swaths of Liberian rainforests. Industrial oil palm plantations boast lower levels of plant and animal biodiversity and have lower ecological and social values than the rainforests which they replace. These values include communal space, health, and ecological health. Industrial palm oil production often uses oil palm plants that are not native to Liberia, though native plants have been used in palm oil production, largely by indigenous or small-scale farmers. These changes have impacted the food supply and livelihoods of Liberian communities and households through depleting food sources and abilities of Liberians to acquire and sell natural resources.<ref name=":7"/>

Liberia's mining sector has been criticized by environmental scholars and the Liberian Environmental Protection Agency for its effects on conservation and biodiversity. In contrast to the abundance of mineral wealth in Liberia, water resources are vulnerable to environmental impacts from mining activities. Unless appropriate corrective actions are taken, the mining sector is expected to place further degradation on the country's undeveloped water resources.<ref name=":5" /> Forest areas are used for the deposit of waste rocks from many Liberian mines, especially after the end of the second civil war.&nbsp; Overburden, rocks and tailings are deposited in the surrounding forest areas, especially around major mines such as the Nimba mine. This poses a threat to wildlife and ecological balance in these areas.<ref name=":4" />

A large contributor to pollution has been foreign involvement in industrial mining and agriculture industries.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" />

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{main|Administrative divisions of Liberia}}

{{Counties of Liberia Image Map}}
[[File:Bomi lake.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|A view of a lake in [[Bomi County]]]]
Liberia is divided into fifteen [[Counties of Liberia|counties]], which, in turn, are subdivided into a total of 90 [[district]]s and further subdivided into ''clans''. The oldest counties are Grand Bassa and Montserrado, both founded in 1839 prior to Liberian independence. Gbarpolu is the newest county, created in 2001. Nimba is the largest of the counties in size at {{convert|11551|km2|abbr=on}}, while Montserrado is the smallest at {{convert|737.069|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="census2008"/> Montserrado is also the most populous county with 1,144,806 residents as of the 2008 census.<ref name="census2008"/>

The fifteen counties are administered by superintendents appointed by the president. The Constitution calls for the election of various [[Tribal chief|chiefs]] at the county and local level, but these elections have not taken place since 1985 due to war and financial constraints.<ref name=polls>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7187906.stm |title=Liberia cannot afford local polls |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=January 14, 2008 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=July 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701105140/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7187906.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Parallel to the administrative divisions of the country are the local and municipal divisions. Liberia currently does not have any constitutional framework or uniform statutes which deal with the creation or revocation of local governments.<ref name="GCL">{{cite web |last1=Kieh, Jr. |first1=George Klay |title=The Model City Statute for the Liberian City |url=http://governancecommissionlr.org/pg_img/THE_STATUTE_FOR_THE_MODEL_LIBERIAN_CITY[1].pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412091817/http://governancecommissionlr.org/pg_img/THE_STATUTE_FOR_THE_MODEL_LIBERIAN_CITY%5b1%5d.pdf |url-status=usurped |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |website=Governance Commission of Liberia |publisher=Governance Commission of the Republic of Liberia |access-date=July 20, 2018 }}</ref> All existing local governments—cities, townships, and a borough—were created by specific acts of the Liberian government, and thus the structure and duties/responsibilities of each local government vary greatly from one to the other.<ref>{{cite web |title=Simplified Version of LGM 2018 |url=https://naymote.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Simplified-Version-of-LGA-2018-.pdf |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Map #
! County
! Capital
! Population<br />(2022 Census)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Liberia: Counties, Major Cities, Towns & Urban Areas - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/liberia/ |access-date=January 16, 2024 |website=www.citypopulation.de |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119102116/https://www.citypopulation.de/en/liberia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
! Area<br />(mi<sup>2</sup>)<ref name="census2008">{{cite web |year=2008 |title=2008 National Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Results |url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/census_2008provisionalresults.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213110308/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/census_2008provisionalresults.pdf |archive-date=February 13, 2012 |access-date=October 14, 2008 |publisher=Government of the Republic of Liberia}}</ref>
! Number of<br />districts
! Date<br />created
|-
|align="center"| 1
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Bomi County.svg}} [[Bomi County|Bomi]]
|align="center"|[[Tubmanburg]]
|align="center"|133,668
|align="center"|{{convert|749|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|4
|align="center"|1984
|-
|align="center"| 2
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Bong County.svg}} [[Bong County|Bong]]
|align="center"|[[Gbarnga]]
|align="center"|467,502
|align="center"|{{convert|3386|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|12
|align="center"|1964
|-
|align="center"| 3
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Gbarpolu County.svg}} [[Gbarpolu County|Gbarpolu]]
|align="center"|[[Bopolu]]
|align="center"|95,995
|align="center"|{{convert|3740|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|6
|align="center"|2001
|-
|align="center"| 4
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Grand Bassa County.svg}} [[Grand Bassa County|Grand Bassa]]
|align="center"|[[Buchanan, Liberia|Buchanan]]
|align="center"|293,557
|align="center"|{{convert|3064|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|8
|align="center"|1839
|-
|align="center"| 5
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Grand Cape Mount County.svg}} [[Grand Cape Mount County|Grand Cape Mount]]
|align="center"|[[Robertsport]]
|align="center"|178,798
|align="center"|{{convert|1993|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|5
|align="center"|1844
|-
|align="center"| 6
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Grand Gedeh County.svg}} [[Grand Gedeh County|Grand Gedeh]]
|align="center"|[[Zwedru]]
|align="center"|216,692
|align="center"|{{convert|4047|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|3
|align="center"|1964
|-
|align="center"| 7
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Grand Kru County.svg}} [[Grand Kru County|Grand Kru]]
|align="center"|[[Barclayville]]
|align="center"|109,342
|align="center"|{{convert|1503|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|18
|align="center"|1984
|-
|align="center"| 8
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Lofa County.svg}} [[Lofa County|Lofa]]
|align="center"|[[Voinjama]]
|align="center"|367,376
|align="center"|{{convert|3854|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|6
|align="center"|1964
|-
|align="center"| 9
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Margibi County.svg}} [[Margibi County|Margibi]]
|align="center"|[[Kakata]]
|align="center"|304,946
|align="center"|{{convert|1010|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|4
|align="center"|1985
|-
|align="center"|10
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Maryland County.svg}} [[Maryland County|Maryland]]
|align="center"|[[Harper, Liberia|Harper]]
|align="center"|172,202
|align="center"|{{convert|886|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|2
|align="center"|1857
|-
|align="center"|11
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Montserrado County.svg}} [[Montserrado County|Montserrado]]
|align="center"|[[Bensonville]]
|align="center"|1,920,914
|align="center"|{{convert|737|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|17
|align="center"|1839
|-
|align="center"|12
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Nimba County.svg}} [[Nimba County|Nimba]]
|align="center"|[[Sanniquellie]]
|align="center"|621,841
|align="center"|{{convert|4459|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|6
|align="center"|1964
|-
|align="center"|13
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Rivercess County.svg}} [[Rivercess County|Rivercess]]
|align="center"|[[River Cess]]
|align="center"|90,777
|align="center"|{{convert|2,159|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|7
|align="center"|1985
|-
|align="center"|14
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of River Gee County.svg}} [[River Gee County|River Gee]]
|align="center"|[[Fish Town]]
|align="center"|124,653
|align="center"|{{convert|1974|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|6
|align="center"|2000
|-
|align="center"|15
|align="left"| {{flagicon image|Flag of Sinoe County.svg}} [[Sinoe County|Sinoe]]
|align="center"|[[Greenville, Liberia|Greenville]]
|align="center"|150,358
|align="center"|{{convert|3913|mi2|abbr=on}}
|align="center"|17
|align="center"|1843
|}

== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Liberia}}

[[File:Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf3.jpg|thumb|Former President [[Ellen Johnson Sirleaf]]]]

The government of Liberia, modeled on the [[government of the United States]], is a [[Unitary state|unitary]] constitutional republic and [[representative democracy]] as established by the [[Constitution of Liberia|Constitution]]. The government has three co-equal branches of government: the [[Executive (government)|executive]], headed by the [[President of Liberia|president]]; the [[legislative]], consisting of the [[bicameral]] [[Legislature of Liberia]]; and the [[judicial]], consisting of the [[Supreme Court of Liberia|Supreme Court]] and several [[lower court]]s.<ref name="CIA"/>

The president serves as [[head of government]], [[head of state]], and the [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Armed Forces of Liberia]].<ref name="CIA"/> Among the president's other duties are to sign or veto [[legislative bill]]s, grant [[pardon]]s, and appoint [[Cabinet of Liberia|Cabinet]] members, judges, and other public officials. Together with the [[Vice President of Liberia|vice president]], the president is elected to a six-year term by [[majority vote]] in a [[two-round system]] and can serve up to two terms in office.<ref name="CIA"/>

The Legislature is composed of the [[Senate of Liberia|Senate]] and the [[House of Representatives of Liberia|House of Representatives]]. The House, led by a [[List of speakers of the House of Representatives of Liberia|speaker]], has 73 members [[Apportionment (politics)|apportioned]] among the 15 counties on the basis of the national [[census]], with each county receiving a minimum of two members.<ref name="CIA"/> Each House member represents an [[electoral district]] within a county as drawn by the [[National Election Commission (Liberia)|National Elections Commission]] and is elected by a [[plurality voting|plurality]] of the popular vote of their district into a six-year term. The Senate is made up of two senators from each county for a total of 30 senators.<ref name="CIA"/> Senators serve nine-year terms and are elected [[at-large]] by a plurality of the popular vote.<ref name="CIA"/> The vice president serves as the [[President of the Senate]], with a [[President pro tempore]] serving in their absence.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.onliberia.org/con_1984_3.htm#chvi | title=Constitution of Liberia | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904154117/http://www.onliberia.org/con_1984_3.htm#chvi | access-date=July 26, 2021| archive-date=September 4, 2017 }}</ref>

[[File:P20250709DT-0183 President Donald Trump Participates in a Multilateral Lunch with African Leaders.jpg|thumb|Liberian President [[Joseph Boakai]] with US President [[Donald Trump]], July 9, 2025]]

Liberia's highest judicial authority is the Supreme Court, made up of five members and headed by the [[Chief Justice of Liberia]]. Members are nominated to the court by the president and are confirmed by the Senate, serving until the age of 70. The judiciary is further divided into [[Circuit court|circuit]] and [[Limited jurisdiction|speciality courts]], [[magistrate]] courts, and [[Justice of the Peace|justices of the peace]].<ref name=state>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6618.htm |title=Background Note: Liberia |work=Bureau of African Affairs |publisher=United States Department of State |date=March 8, 2011 |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=January 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122194454/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6618.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The judicial system is a blend of [[common law]], based on Anglo-American law, and customary law.<ref name="CIA"/> An informal system of traditional courts still exists within the rural areas of the country, with [[trial by ordeal]] remaining common despite being officially outlawed.<ref name=state/>

From 1877 to 1980, the government was dominated by the [[True Whig Party]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Dash |first1=Leon |last2=Services |first2=Washington Post Foreign |date=February 28, 1980 |title=Liberian Elite Facing Rare Political Test |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1980/02/28/liberian-elite-facing-rare-political-test/0df96b47-f0ef-45de-a235-5b789ce06d15/ |access-date=June 22, 2023 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213174304/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1980/02/28/liberian-elite-facing-rare-political-test/0df96b47-f0ef-45de-a235-5b789ce06d15/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Today, over 20 political parties are registered in the country, based largely around personalities and ethnic groups.<ref name=freedom/> Most parties suffer from poor organizational capacity.<ref name=freedom/> The 2005 elections marked the first time that the president's party did not gain a majority of seats in the Legislature.<ref name=freedom/> According to 2023 [[V-Dem Democracy indices]] Liberia is ranked 65th electoral democracy worldwide and 9th [[democracy in Africa|electoral democracy in Africa]].<ref name="vdem_dataset">{{cite web |last=V-Dem Institute |date=2023 |title=The V-Dem Dataset |url=https://www.v-dem.net/data/the-v-dem-dataset/ |access-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208183458/https://www.v-dem.net/data/the-v-dem-dataset/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Military ===
{{Main|Armed Forces of Liberia}}

The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) have 2,010 active personnel as of 2023, with most of them organized into the [[23rd Infantry Brigade (Liberia)|23rd Infantry Brigade]], consisting of two infantry battalions, one engineer company, and one military police company. There is also a small [[Liberian National Coast Guard|National Coast Guard]] with 60 personnel and several patrol ships.<ref name="iiss2023">{{Cite book |author=IISS |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |date=2023 |title=The Military Balance 2023 |publisher=International Institute for Strategic Studies |pages=460–461 }}</ref> The AFL used to have an Air Wing, but all of its aircraft and facilities have been out of operation since the civil wars. It is in the process of reactivating its Air Wing with help from the [[Nigerian Air Force]].<ref>{{Cite web |author=Worzi, Alvin |date=November 26, 2022 |title=Nigeria helping to revive Liberia's moribund air force wing |work=Nigeriabroad.com |url=https://nigeriabroad.com/nigeria-helping-to-revive-liberia-s-moribund-air-force-wing |access-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217031016/https://nigeriabroad.com/nigeria-helping-to-revive-liberia-s-moribund-air-force-wing }}</ref> Liberia has deployed peacekeepers to other countries since 2013 as part of UN or ECOWAS missions, with the largest being an infantry unit in Mali, and smaller numbers of personnel in Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, and South Sudan. About 800 of the AFL's 2,000 personnel have been deployed to Mali in several rotations before the UN mission there ended in December 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Layton, Andrew |title=U.S. officials celebrate Armed Forces of Liberia accomplishments at MINUSMA conclusion ceremony |work=[[Defense Visual Information Distribution Service]] |date=December 21, 2023 |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/460572/us-officials-celebrate-armed-forces-liberia-accomplishments-minusma-conclusion-ceremony |access-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217031016/https://www.dvidshub.net/news/460572/us-officials-celebrate-armed-forces-liberia-accomplishments-minusma-conclusion-ceremony |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022 the country had a military budget of US$18.7 million.<ref name="iiss2023"/>

The old military was disbanded after the civil wars and entirely rebuilt, starting in 2005, with assistance and funding from the United States. The military assistance program, which became known as Operation Onward Liberty in 2010, provided training with the goal of making the AFL into an apolitical and professional military. The operation ended in 2016, though the [[Michigan National Guard]] still continues to work with the AFL as part of the U.S. National Guard's State Partnership Program.<ref>{{cite web |author=MacDougall, Clair |title=Too small to succeed? Liberia's new army comes of age |work=Al Jazeera |date=March 4, 2014 |url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/3/4/too-small-to-succeedliberiasnewarmycomesofage.html |access-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226043259/http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/3/4/too-small-to-succeedliberiasnewarmycomesofage.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Rankin, Denice |date=October 26, 2015 |title=Michigan National Guard continues mentor mission to Liberian armed forces |work=U.S. National Guard |url=https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Overseas-Operations/Article/625843/michigan-national-guard-continues-mentor-mission-to-liberian-armed-forces/ |access-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217031021/https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Overseas-Operations/Article/625843/michigan-national-guard-continues-mentor-mission-to-liberian-armed-forces/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |work=U.S. Embassy in Liberia |title=Ambassador McCarthy, Adjutant General Rogers Lead Press Roundtable |date=February 8, 2022 |url=https://lr.usembassy.gov/ambassador-mccarthy-adjutant-general-rogers-lead-press-roundtable/ }}</ref>

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Further|Foreign relations of Liberia}}
[[File:Secretary Kerry Listens as Liberian President Sirleaf Addresses the Post-2015 Development Panel Discussion in New York City (21582539498).jpg|left|thumb|President Sirleaf with (left to right) British Prime Minister [[David Cameron]], Colombian President [[Juan Manuel Santos]], and [[United States Secretary of State]] [[John Kerry]] in September 2015]]

After the turmoil following the [[First Liberian Civil War|First]] and [[Second Liberian Civil War]]s, Liberia's internal stabilization in the 21st century brought a return to cordial relations with neighboring countries and much of the Western world. As in other African countries, China is an important part of the post-conflict reconstruction.<ref>{{Cite book |title=China and Africa |last=Moumouni |first=Guillaume |year=2018 |isbn=978-3-319-52893-9 |editor-last=Alden |editor-first=C. |pages=225–251 |chapter=China and Liberia: Engagement in a Post-Conflict Country (2003–2013) |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-52893-9_12 |editor-last2=Alao |editor-first2=A. |editor-last3=Chun |editor-first3=Z. |editor-last4=Barber |editor-first4=L.}}</ref>

In the past, both of Liberia's neighbors, [[Guinea]] and [[Sierra Leone]], have accused Liberia of backing rebels in their countries.<ref name="hrw"/>

=== Law enforcement and crime ===
{{Further|Crime in Liberia}}

The [[Liberian National Police]] is the country's national [[police]] force. As of October 2007 it has 844 officers in 33 stations in [[Montserrado County]], which contains [[Monrovia]].<ref name="cdaMontserrado">{{cite news|url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/MontserradoCDA.pdf|title=Montserrado County Development Agenda|date=2008|publisher=Republic of Liberia|access-date=October 14, 2008|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102070138/https://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/MontserradoCDA.pdf}}</ref> The National Police Training Academy is in [[Paynesville, Liberia|Paynesville City]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Nine officials commissioned|date=October 11, 2008|work=The Analyst}}</ref> A history of corruption among police officers diminishes public trust and operational effectiveness. The internal security is characterized by a general lawlessness coupled with the danger that former combatants in the late civil war might reestablish militias to challenge the civil authorities.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Crane |first1=Keith |last2=Gompert |first2=David C |last3=Oliker |first3=Olga |last4=Riley |first4=Kevin Jack |last5=Lawson |first5=Brooke Stearns |date=2007 |title=Making Liberia safe: transformation of the national security sector |location=Santa Monica, California |publisher=Rand |pages=9–11 |isbn=978-0-8330-4008-4 |url=https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG529.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014212925/https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG529.html |archive-date=October 14, 2018 |access-date=October 2, 2024}}</ref>

[[Rape]] and [[sexual assault]] are frequent in the post-conflict era in Liberia. Liberia has one of the highest incidences of sexual violence against women in the world. Rape is the most frequently reported crime, accounting for more than one-third of [[sexual violence]] cases. Adolescent girls are the most frequently assaulted, and almost 40% of perpetrators are adult men known to victims.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Nicola |last1=Jones |first2=Janice |last2=Cooper |first3=Elizabeth |last3=Presler-Marshall |first4=David |last4=Walker |date=June 2014 |title=The fallout of rape as a weapon of war |work=ODI |url=http://www.odi.org/publications/8464-rape-weapon-war-liberia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928083046/http://www.odi.org/publications/8464-rape-weapon-war-liberia |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |access-date=October 2, 2024}}</ref>

Both male and female homosexuality are [[LGBT rights in Liberia|illegal in Liberia]].<ref>{{cite web|title=State Sponsored Homophobia 2016: A world survey of sexual orientation laws: criminalisation, protection and recognition|url=http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf|work=[[International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association]]|date=May 17, 2016|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902183618/http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Daniel |last=Avery |title=71 Countries Where Homosexuality is Illegal |url=https://www.newsweek.com/73-countries-where-its-illegal-be-gay-1385974 |work=Newsweek |date=April 4, 2019 |access-date=August 17, 2019 |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211204842/https://www.newsweek.com/73-countries-where-its-illegal-be-gay-1385974 |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 20, 2012, the Liberian senate voted unanimously to enact legislation to prohibit and criminalize [[same-sex marriage]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liberianobserver.com/index.php/news/item/1976-senate-passes-%E2%80%98no-same-sex-marriage%E2%80%99-bill|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805070510/http://www.liberianobserver.com/index.php/news/item/1976-senate-passes-%E2%80%98no-same-sex-marriage%E2%80%99-bill|title=Senate Passes 'No Same Sex Marriage' Bill |work=Daily Observer |last=Carter |first=J. Burgess |date=July 21, 2012|archive-date=August 5, 2012|access-date=September 1, 2019}}</ref>

=== Corruption ===
{{Further|Corruption in Liberia}}

Corruption is endemic at every level of the Liberian government.<ref name="2010 Human Rights Report: Liberia">{{cite web|title=2010 Human Rights Report: Liberia|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154354.htm|work=US Department of State|access-date=January 10, 2013|archive-date=June 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628133946/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154354.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> When President Sirleaf took office in 2006, she announced that corruption was "the major public enemy."<ref name="hrw">[https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/08/22/liberia-police-corruption-harms-rights-progress "Liberia: Police Corruption Harms Rights, Progress"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308105127/https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/08/22/liberia-police-corruption-harms-rights-progress |date=March 8, 2021 }}, Human Rights Watch, August 22, 2013.</ref> In 2014, the US ambassador to Liberia said that corruption there was harming people through "unnecessary costs to products and services that are already difficult for many Liberians to afford".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201402211033.html|title="Liberia: Corruption Is Liberia's Problem, US Ambassador to Liberia Alarms", Al-Varney Rogers, allAfrica, 21 February 2014.|work=allAfrica.com|access-date=October 17, 2014|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923073223/http://allafrica.com/stories/201402211033.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2010, Liberia was one of the most politically corrupt nations in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020153842/http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010 |archive-date=October 20, 2010 |title=2010 Corruption Perceptions Index |work=Transparency International |date=October 26, 2010 |access-date=July 22, 2011 }}</ref> This score represented a significant improvement since 2007, when the country scored 2.1 and ranked 150th of 180 countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2007 |title=Corruption Perceptions Index 2007 |work=Transparency International |year=2007 |access-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-date=April 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428203145/http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2007 }}</ref> When dealing with public-facing government functionaries, 89% of Liberians say they have had to pay a bribe, the highest national percentage in the world according to the organization's 2010 Global Corruption Barometer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/gcb/2010/results|title=Global Corruption Barometer 2010|work=Transparency International|date=December 9, 2010|access-date=July 22, 2011|archive-date=April 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418031133/http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/gcb/2010/results|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of Liberia}}

[[File:Liberia Product Exports (2019).svg|thumb|upright=1.35|A proportional representation of Liberian exports. The shipping related categories reflect Liberia's status as an international [[flag of convenience]]—there are 3,500 vessels registered under Liberia's flag, accounting for 11% of ships worldwide.<ref name="Schoenurl">{{cite web |first=John W.|last=Schoenurl|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3072983|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020124056/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3072983|archive-date=October 20, 2020|title=Liberian shipping draws scrutiny|work=NBC News|date=August 11, 2003}}</ref><ref name="About the Liberian Registry">{{cite web |url=http://www.liscr.com/liscr/AboutUs/AboutLiberianRegistry/tabid/206/Default.aspx |title=About the Liberian Registry |publisher=Liberian Registry |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110180209/http://www.liscr.com/liscr/AboutUs/AboutLiberianRegistry/tabid/206/Default.aspx |archive-date=November 10, 2014 }}</ref>]]
[[File:GDP per capita development of Liberia.png|thumb|Real GDP per capita development, since 1950]]

The [[Central Bank of Liberia]] is responsible for printing and maintaining the [[Liberian dollar]], Liberia's primary [[currency]] (the [[United States dollar]] is also [[legal tender]] in Liberia).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Currency |url=https://cbl.org.lr/general/currency |website=Central Bank of Liberia |access-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115023814/https://cbl.org.lr/general/currency |url-status=live }}</ref> Liberia is one of the world's poorest countries, with a [[formal employment]] rate of 15%.<ref name=state/> GDP per capita peaked in 1980 at US$496, (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US|value=496|start_year=1980}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) when it was comparable to Egypt's (at the time).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD/countries/LR-EG?display=graph |title=GDP per capita (current US$) &#124;Data &#124;Graph |publisher=Data.worldbank.org |access-date=March 26, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094021/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD/countries/LR-EG?display=graph |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, the country's [[nominal GDP]] was US$1.154 billion, while nominal GDP per capita stood at US$297, the third-lowest in the world.<ref name=IMF_GDP>{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2016/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=98&pr.y=20&sy=2014&ey=2021&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=668&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a= |title=Liberia |publisher=International Monetary Fund |access-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614180150/https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2016/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=98&pr.y=20&sy=2014&ey=2021&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=668&s=NGDPD,NGDPDPC,PPPGDP,PPPPC&grp=0&a= |url-status=live }}</ref> Historically the Liberian economy has depended heavily on [[foreign aid]], [[foreign direct investment]] and exports of natural resources such as [[iron ore]], [[rubber]], and [[timber]].<ref name="eowg"/>

=== Trends ===
Following a peak in growth in 1979, the Liberian economy began a steady decline due to economic mismanagement after the 1980 coup.<ref name=challenges>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201106140356.html|title=The Challenges of Post-War Reconstruction{{snd}}the Liberian Experience|work=Government of Liberia|publisher=allAfrica.com|date=June 13, 2011|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=October 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019094038/http://allafrica.com/stories/201106140356.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This decline was accelerated by the outbreak of civil war in 1989; GDP was reduced by an estimated 90% between 1989 and 1995, one of the fastest declines in modern history.<ref name=challenges/> Upon the end of the war in 2003, GDP growth began to accelerate, reaching 9.4% in 2007.<ref name=imf>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2011/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=41&pr.y=12&sy=2000&ey=2016&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=668&s=NGDP_RPCH%2CPCPIPCH&grp=0&a=|title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects: Liberia|work=International Monetary Fund|date=June 20, 2011|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=February 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211213732/http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2011/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=41&pr.y=12&sy=2000&ey=2016&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=668&s=NGDP_RPCH%2CPCPIPCH&grp=0&a=|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, during the [[Great Recession]] GDP growth slowed to 4.6%,<ref name=imf/> though a strengthening agricultural sector led by rubber and timber exports increased growth to 5.1% in 2010 and an expected 7.3% in 2011, making the economy one of the 20 fastest-growing in the world.<ref name=consultation>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2010/cr10373.pdf|title=IMF Country Report No. 10/37|work=International Monetary Fund|year=2010|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614180151/https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2010/cr10373.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="agi">{{cite web|url=http://www.africagovernance.org/article/liberian-president-government-and-people-are-partners-progress|title=Liberian President: Government and People are Partners in Progress|date=January 27, 2011|work=Africa Governance Initiative|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220103119/http://www.africagovernance.org/article/liberian-president-government-and-people-are-partners-progress|archive-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref>

Current impediments to growth include a small [[domestic market]], lack of adequate infrastructure, high transportation costs, poor trade links with neighboring countries, and the high [[dollarization]] of the economy.<ref name=consultation/> Liberia used the [[United States dollar]] as its currency from 1943 until 1982 and continues to use the U.S. dollar alongside the [[Liberian dollar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:rjgZxrEkytAJ:www.countrycompass.com/_docs/assessments/Liberia_Economic_Recovery_Assessment.pdf+Liberian+dollar+1982&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgB5jM-McEY_lEOfi7dtjUAbUY3FHNMS-1b7c1mewxokLnC7PucnxlcZgbC4H60-44s9Kyw4SlVD0s8pI0lznK8MH_FSOPkOAEW8OgbhuDeI2kiEZ81wf4E0kNLQHndpFSE3jFO|title=Liberia Economic Recovery Assessment|work=USAID|date=July 2008|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412091814/https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:rjgZxrEkytAJ:www.countrycompass.com/_docs/assessments/Liberia_Economic_Recovery_Assessment.pdf+Liberian+dollar+1982&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgB5jM-McEY_lEOfi7dtjUAbUY3FHNMS-1b7c1mewxokLnC7PucnxlcZgbC4H60-44s9Kyw4SlVD0s8pI0lznK8MH_FSOPkOAEW8OgbhuDeI2kiEZ81wf4E0kNLQHndpFSE3jFO|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following a decrease in [[inflation]] beginning in 2003, inflation spiked in 2008 as a result of worldwide [[2007–2008 world food price crisis|food]] and [[2000s energy crisis|energy crises]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mof.gov.lr/doc/Published%20Fiscal%20Outturns.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325223907/http://mof.gov.lr/doc/Published%20Fiscal%20Outturns.pdf|archive-date=March 25, 2012|title=Quarter Three Fiscal Outturn, Fiscal Year 2010/11|work=Ministry of Finance|date=May 2011}}</ref> reaching 17.5% before declining to 7.4% in 2009.<ref name=imf/> Liberia's [[external debt]] was estimated in 2006 at approximately $4.5 billion, 800% of GDP.<ref name=challenges/> As a result of bilateral, multilateral and commercial debt relief from 2007 to 2010, the country's external debt fell to $222.9 million by 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mof.gov.lr/doc/2nd%20Qrt%20Debt%20Management%20Report.pdf|title=Second Quarter 2010/2011 Public Debt Management Report|work=Debt Management Unit|publisher=Ministry of Finance|date=March 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910014431/http://mof.gov.lr/doc/2nd%20Qrt%20Debt%20Management%20Report.pdf|archive-date=September 10, 2013}}</ref>

While official commodity exports declined during the 1990s as many investors fled the civil war, Liberia's wartime economy featured the exploitation of the region's diamond wealth.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/839206.stm|title=Liberia's diamond links |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=July 18, 2000|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928044310/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/839206.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The country acted as a major trader in Sierra Leonian [[blood diamond]]s, exporting over US$300 million (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=300000000|start_year=1999}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) in diamonds in 1999.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/liberia/ |title=CBC News Indepth: Liberia |newspaper=CBC News |date=March 29, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908174543/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/liberia/ |archive-date=September 8, 2013 }}</ref> This led to a [[United Nations]] ban on Liberian diamond exports in 2001, which was lifted in 2007 following Liberia's accession to the [[Kimberley Process Certification Scheme]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-05-01-liberia_N.htm|title=Liberia restarts diamond industry|newspaper=USA Today|date=May 1, 2007|access-date=September 3, 2017|archive-date=March 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309052935/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-05-01-liberia_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2003, additional UN sanctions were placed on Liberian timber exports, which had risen from US$5 million in 1997 to over US$100 million in 2002 and were believed to be funding rebels in Sierra Leone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/bloody-timber-off-the-market/|title=Bloody timber off the market|work=Greenpeace|date=May 7, 2003|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=July 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716103213/http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/bloody-timber-off-the-market/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Gary|last=Strieker|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2002/TECH/science/01/13/liberian.timber/index.html|title=U.N. mulls embargo on Liberian timber|work=CNN|date=January 13, 2002|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614180148/http://edition.cnn.com/2002/TECH/science/01/13/liberian.timber/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> These sanctions were lifted in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|first=Chenni|last=Xu|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2006-06-20-voa64/325269.html|title=UN Lifts Liberia Timber Sanctions|work=Voice of America|date=June 20, 2006|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130090304/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2006-06-20-voa64.html|archive-date=January 30, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Due in large part to foreign aid and investment inflow following the end of the war, Liberia maintains a large [[Current account (balance of payments)|account deficit]], which peaked at nearly 60% in 2008.<ref name=consultation/> Liberia gained observer status with the [[World Trade Organization]] in 2010 and became an official member in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Members and Observers|url=https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/org6_e.htm|access-date=October 15, 2020|website=wto.org|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629193816/http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/org6_e.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Liberia has the highest ratio of foreign direct investment to GDP in the world, with US$16 billion (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=16000000000|start_year=2006}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) in investment since 2006.<ref name=agi/> Following Sirleaf's inauguration in 2006, Liberia signed several multi-billion-dollar concession agreements in the [[iron ore]] and [[palm oil]] industries with numerous [[multinational corporation]]s, including [[ArcelorMittal]], [[BHP]] and [[Sime Darby]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201008271043.html|title=Government Announces Agreement with Chevron to Explore Liberian Waters|publisher=allAfrica.com|date=August 27, 2010|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020040345/http://allafrica.com/stories/201008271043.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Palm oil companies like Sime Darby (Malaysia) and Golden Veroleum (USA) have been accused of destroying livelihoods and displacing local communities, enabled by government concessions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/rights/palm-oil-companys-deal-liberia-sparks-controversy|title=Palm oil industry accused of land grabs in Liberia|work=GlobalPost |publisher=globalpost.com|date=December 27, 2012|access-date=January 8, 2013|archive-date=July 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702085839/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/rights/palm-oil-companys-deal-liberia-sparks-controversy|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 1926 [[Firestone Tire & Rubber Company|Firestone]] has operated the world's largest [[rubber plantation]] in [[Harbel]], Margibi County. As of 2015, it had more than 8,000 mostly Liberian employees, making it the country's largest private employer.<ref>{{citation |first=Fred |last=van der Kraaij |title=Liberia: From the love of liberty to paradise lost |page=144 |publisher=Leiden, African Studies Centre |date=2015 |url=https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/handle/1887/33835 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803074535/https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/handle/1887/33835 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |isbn=978-90-54481447}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firestonenaturalrubber.com/company_history.htm|title=Firestone and Liberia – Company History|work=Firestone Natural Rubber Company|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612171553/http://www.firestonenaturalrubber.com/company_history.htm|archive-date=June 12, 2011}}</ref>

In September 2024 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that its executive board approved a financial arrangement of approximately $210 million for Liberia. The approval includes an immediate disbursement of around $8 million. This arrangement is aimed at supporting Liberia's economic recovery and addressing fiscal challenges.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/imf-says-its-board-approved-210-million-arrangement-liberia-2024-09-25/ |title=IMF says its board approved $210 million arrangement for Liberia |work=Reuters |date=September 25, 2024 |access-date=October 2, 2024}}</ref>

=== Shipping flag of convenience ===
Due to its status as a [[flag of convenience]], Liberia has the second-largest [[Flag state|maritime registry]] in the world behind [[Panama]]. It has 3,500 vessels registered under its flag, accounting for 11% of ships worldwide.<ref name="Schoenurl"/><ref name="About the Liberian Registry"/>

=== Major industries ===
==== Agriculture ====
{{Excerpt|Agriculture in Liberia}}Sustenance farming is popular in many areas of Liberia. Communities primarily grow upland rice, cassava, and vegetables, though cane sugar distillation and coal mining provide job opportunity diversification.<ref name=":6" />

Traditional farming systems, such as intercropping and agroforestry encourage biodiversity. These farming practices have been shown to increase the resilience of food production and alleviate reduction in access to wild foods associated with the loss of forests. However, continued acquisition of land by palm oil and rubber plantations reduces household access to land, food, and water.<ref name=":7" />

Palm oil production is also a large part of Liberian agriculture and is largely controlled by the Malaysian palm oil company, [[Sime Darby]]. In 2009, Liberia granted one of its largest concessions to Sime Darby, despite local and international concern over the environmental impacts this could cause. Liberia, which has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the world, was promised employment of roughly 30,000 by Sime Darby for palm oil production. Palm oil production is expected to increase as global demand for palm oil for food and biofuel increases. Rubber production in Liberia is mostly done through plantations and industrial agriculture. These industries can cause deforestation and have been shown to decrease the amount of land owned by locals according to a study done by the Cornell Land Project. They can also decrease local incomes by taking away the ability of locals to hunt for and trade bushmeat or grow crops to sell.<ref name=":6" />

==== Mining ====
Between 1960 and 1980, iron ore mining was the mainstay of the Liberian economy, contributing to more than 60 percent of export earnings. This came after former United States president Harry S. Truman encouraged foreign investment, leading some foreign companies to invest in Liberia's mining sector. During this time, much of the mining done in Liberia was carried out by alluvial mining of small-scale operations, with estimates of over 100,000 artisanal miners in Liberia. However, with the onset of Liberia's first civil war, much of the country's productive infrastructure was destroyed and mining was brought to a virtual halt. The commencement of Liberia's second civil war aggravated this trend.<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |last1=Enaruvbe |first1=G.O. |last2=Keculah |first2=K.M. |last3=Atedhor |first3=G.O. |last4=Osewole |first4=A.O. |date=January 2019 |title=Armed conflict and mining induced land-use transition in northern Nimba County, Liberia |journal=Global Ecology and Conservation |volume=17 |article-number=e00597 |doi=10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00597 |issn=2351-9894|doi-access=free |bibcode=2019GEcoC..1700597E }}</ref>

After the end of Liberia's second civil war, there was a sharp post-conflict increase in mining activities, rapid settlement expansion and increasing forest loss. This increased mining activity and associated forest loss threatens biodiversity, increases pressure on available agricultural land, especially land meant for sustenance agriculture, and increases potential exposure of the Liberian population to pollution from mining activities.<ref name=":8" /> Many of these iron and gold ore corporations which are increasingly dominating the Liberian economy are geared to satisfy the needs of the metropolitan economies and not the needs of the Liberian economy. This has led to the formation of economic islands which fail to have any "developing effect" on the economy as a whole. <sup>[237]</sup> Despite the stronger economic linkages artisanal mines have to local communities, investment in industrial mining by foreign companies has increased in post-conflict Liberia due to larger taxes and royalty payments received from industrial mines.<ref name=":9">{{Cite journal |last=Gräser |first=Melanie |date=October 2024 |title=Industrial versus artisanal mining: The effects on local employment in Liberia |journal=Journal of Rural Studies |volume=111 |article-number=103389 |doi=10.1016/j.jrurstud.2024.103389 |issn=0743-0167|doi-access=free |bibcode=2024JRurS.11103389G }}</ref>

Liberian mining has also been shown to have negative effects on the Liberian environment. Post conflict mining has contributed to an increase in forest loss and air pollution. Though Liberia does possess environmental management tools such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), use of these tools and environmentally protective policy is still lacking. Harnessing of best practices in regards to agriculture and mining and valorizing local knowledge has been shown to be inadequate, meaning pressure on the environment is still heavy. Liberia's mining industry also impacts food and water availability for many Liberian peoples, impacting household nutrition and income levels.<ref name=":8" />

Mining labor in Liberia has faced criticism from civil society groups and, notably, Joshua Obediah Zaza Arku, Inspector-General of Liberia's Mines and Energy Ministry'. Aside from long hours and low wages, resistance movements and unions have been squashed by corporate and government entities, leading to outrage of the Liberian working class. On November 23, 1976, workers at the depleted iron ore mines at Bomi Hills went on strike demanding that, prior to the mine's closing, they should be paid two months wage for each year they worked with the company. News reporters on the scene described random arrests and undue violence towards workers on strike. Many other instances of violence against laborers and the working class in Liberia have been recorded.<sup>[237]</sup> Liberia has seen many protests in its mining sector, mostly over poor working conditions and a perceived apathy towards the Liberian peoples. Some of the protests, such as the March 1, 2024, protest at Kinjor, have resulted in injuries and even deaths of Liberian miners. Protests and resistance continue today over poor working and living conditions.<ref name=":9" />

Gold, diamonds, and iron ore form the core minerals of the mining sector with a new Mineral Development Policy and Mining Code being put in place to attract foreign investments.<ref name=":10" /> In 2013, the mineral sector accounted for 11% of GDP in the country and the [[World Bank]] projected a further increase in the sector by 2017.<ref name=":11" />

'''Telecommunications'''{{Main|Communications in Liberia}}

There are six major newspapers in Liberia, and 65% of the population has a mobile phone service.
Much of Liberia's communications infrastructure was destroyed or plundered during the two civil wars (1989–1996 and 1999–2003).<ref name=reform>{{cite web | url=http://www.ppiaf.org/sites/ppiaf.org/files/publication/PPIAF-Impact-Stories-Reforming-Liberia-Telecom-Sector.pdf | title=PPIAF Supports Telecommunications Reform and Liberalization in Liberia | publisher=Public-Private Infrastructure Facility (PPIAF) | date=July 2011 | access-date=September 3, 2011 | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051911/http://www.ppiaf.org/sites/ppiaf.org/files/publication/PPIAF-Impact-Stories-Reforming-Liberia-Telecom-Sector.pdf }}</ref> With low rates of adult literacy and high poverty rates, television and newspaper use is limited, leaving radio as the predominant means of communicating with the public.<ref>[http://www.audiencescapes.org/country-profiles-liberia-country-overview-quantitative-survey-qualitative-analysis-research "Introduction to Communication and Development in Liberia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307051722/http://www.audiencescapes.org/country-profiles-liberia-country-overview-quantitative-survey-qualitative-analysis-research |date=March 7, 2014 }}, AudienceScapes. Retrieved February 8, 2014.</ref>

==== Transportation ====
{{Excerpt|Transportation in Liberia}}

==== Energy ====
{{Further|Energy in Liberia}}

Public electricity services are provided solely by the state-owned Liberia Electricity Corporation, which operates a small grid almost exclusively in the [[Greater Monrovia District]].<ref name="Options">{{cite web|url=http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTAFRREGTOPENERGY/Resources/717305-1266613906108/Liberia_Energy_ESW_11-4-11web.pdf|title=Options for the Development of Liberia's Energy Sector|work=International Bank for Reconstruction and Development|publisher=World Bank Group|date=2011|access-date=June 9, 2014|archive-date=January 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108191259/http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTAFRREGTOPENERGY/Resources/717305-1266613906108/Liberia_Energy_ESW_11-4-11web.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The vast majority of electric energy services is provided by small, privately owned [[Engine-generator|generators]]. At $0.54 per kWh, the cost of electricity in Liberia is among the highest in the world. Total capacity in 2013 was 20 MW, a sharp decline from a peak of 191 MW in 1989 before the wars.<ref name="Options"/>

The repair and expansion of the [[Mount Coffee Hydropower Project]], with a maximum capacity of 80 MW, was completed in 2018.<ref>{{cite news | first = Clair | last = MacDougall | title=Liberia: Stepping Back Into The Light? | newspaper=ThinkPressAfrica|date=July 18, 2012}}</ref> Construction of three new [[heavy fuel oil]] power plants is expected to boost electrical capacity by 38 MW.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201311280681.html|title=Liberia: Massive Electrification Boost|newspaper=allAfrica.com|date=November 27, 2013|access-date=June 9, 2014|archive-date=January 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108192806/https://allafrica.com/stories/201311280681.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, Liberia began importing power from neighboring Ivory Coast and Guinea through the [[West African Power Pool]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Teh |url=http://cmiliberia.org/blog/2013/07/30/behind-the-power-switch-in-nimba-an-optimism-for-vibtant-economy/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140609061323/http://cmiliberia.org/blog/2013/07/30/behind-the-power-switch-in-nimba-an-optimism-for-vibtant-economy/ |archive-date=June 9, 2014 |title=Behind The Power Switch in Nimba, An optimism for Vibrant Economy |newspaper=The News Pinnacle |date=July 30, 2013 }}</ref>

Liberia has begun exploration for offshore oil; unproven oil reserves may be in excess of one billion barrels.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/southAfricaNews/idAFWEA839820091103 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120101525/http://af.reuters.com/article/southAfricaNews/idAFWEA839820091103 |archive-date=January 20, 2012 |title=Liberia may have over 1 bln barrels in oil resources |newspaper=Reuters Africa|date=November 3, 2009}}</ref> The government divided its offshore waters into 17 blocks and began auctioning off exploration licenses for the blocks in 2004, with further auctions in 2007 and 2009.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040202005192/en/NOCAL-2004-Liberia-Offshore-Bid-Announcement|title=NOCAL 2004 Liberia Offshore Bid Round Announcement|work=Business Wire|date=February 2, 2004|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420231133/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040202005192/en/NOCAL-2004-Liberia-Offshore-Bid-Announcement|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=bidding>{{cite web|first=Natalie Obiko|last=Pearson|url=http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=53828|title=Liberia Opens Bidding for 10 Offshore Oil Blocks|work=RigZone|date=December 10, 2007|access-date=June 21, 2011|archive-date=March 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330155653/http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=53828|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{cite web|url=https://www.psg.deloitte.com/NewsLicensingRounds_LR_0909.asp|title=Third Liberian Offshore Petroleum Licensing Round 2009|work=Deloitte Petroleum Services|publisher=Deloitte|date=August 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104072748/https://www.psg.deloitte.com/NewsLicensingRounds_LR_0909.asp|archive-date=November 4, 2013}}</ref> An additional 13 ultra-deep offshore blocks were demarcated in 2011 and planned for auction.<ref name=":11">{{cite web |first=Alphonso |last=Toweh |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE76K01J20110721?sp=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119002810/http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE76K01J20110721?sp=true |archive-date=January 19, 2012 |title=Liberia marks out new oil blocks, auction seen soon |work=Reuters |date=July 21, 2011 |access-date=August 22, 2011}}</ref> Among the companies to have won licenses are [[Repsol YPF]], [[Chevron Corporation]], and [[Woodside Petroleum]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Ansu |last=Konneh |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-30/chevron-liberia-sign-deepwater-offshore-exploration-agreement.html |title=Chevron, Liberia Sign Deepwater Offshore Exploration Agreement |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=August 30, 2010 |access-date=March 8, 2017 |archive-date=September 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909022554/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-30/chevron-liberia-sign-deepwater-offshore-exploration-agreement.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of Liberia}}

{{See also|Liberian nationality law}}
As of the 2017 national census, Liberia was home to 4,694,608 people.<ref name="census2017final">{{cite web |url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/Population_by_County.pdf |title=2008 National Population and Housing Census Final Results: Population by County |author=Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services |date=May 2009 |work=2017 Population and Housing Census |publisher=Republic of Liberia |access-date=June 10, 2009 |archive-date=September 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911055748/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/Population_by_County.pdf }}</ref> Of those, 1,118,241 lived in [[Montserrado County]], the most populous county in the country and location of the capital Monrovia. The [[Greater Monrovia District]] has 970,824 residents.<ref name="census2008final">{{cite web |url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/Population_by_County.pdf |title=2008 National Population and Housing Census Final Results: Population by County |author=Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services |date=May 2009 |work=2008 Population and Housing Census |publisher=Republic of Liberia |access-date=June 10, 2009 |archive-date=September 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911055748/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/Population_by_County.pdf }}</ref> [[Nimba County]] is the next most populous county, with 462,026 residents.<ref name="census2008final"/> As revealed in the 2008 census, Monrovia is more than four times more populous than all the county capitals combined.<ref name="census2008"/>

Prior to the 2008 census, the last census had been taken in 1984 and listed the country's population as 2,101,628.<ref name="census2008final"/> The population of Liberia was 1,016,443 in 1962 and increased to 1,503,368 in 1974.<ref name="census2008"/> {{As of|2006}}, Liberia had the [[List of countries by population growth rate|highest population growth rate in the world]] (4.50% per annum).<ref>[https://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/wpp2006/WPP2006_Highlights_rev.pdf United Nations World Population Prospects: 2006 revision] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031153622/http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/wpp2006/WPP2006_Highlights_rev.pdf |date=October 31, 2017 }} – Table A.8</ref> In 2010 some 43.5% of Liberians were below the age of 15.<ref name="WPP 2010">{{Cite web|url=https://population.un.org/wpp/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816232627/http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/index.htm|title=World Population Prospects – Population Division – United Nations|archive-date=August 16, 2015|website=population.un.org|access-date=September 1, 2019}}</ref>

{{Largest cities of Liberia|class=info}}

=== Ethnic groups ===
{{bar box
|title=Ethnic groups in Liberia
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=Ethnic groups
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|Kpelle|darkgreen|20.3}}
{{bar percent|Bassa|purple|13.4}}
{{bar percent|Grebo|red|10.0}}
{{bar percent|Gio (Dan)|black|8.0}}
{{bar percent|Mano|orange|7.9}}
{{bar percent|Kru (Klao)|darkblue|6.0}}
{{bar percent|Lorma|lightgrey|5.1}}
{{bar percent|Kissi|maroon|4.8}}
{{bar percent|Gola|darkgray|4.4}}
{{bar percent|Krahn|gray|4.0}}
{{bar percent|Vai|tan|4.0}}
{{bar percent|Mandinka|lime|3.2}}
{{bar percent|Gbandi|Violet|3.0}}
{{bar percent|Mende|darkgreen|1.3}}
{{bar percent|Sapo|purple|1.2}}
{{bar percent|Belle|red|0.8}}
{{bar percent|Dey (Dewoin)|black|0.3}}
{{bar percent|Other Liberian|orange|0.6}}
{{bar percent|Other African|darkblue|1.4}}{{bar percent|Non African|white|0.1}}
}}

The population includes 16 indigenous [[ethnic group]]s and various foreign minorities. Indigenous peoples comprise about 95 percent of the population. The 16 officially recognized ethnic groups include the [[Kpelle people|Kpelle]], [[Bassa (Liberia)|Bassa]], [[Mano people|Mano]], [[Gio people|Gio]] or Dan, [[Kru people|Kru]], [[Grebo people|Grebo]], [[Krahn]], [[Vai people|Vai]], [[Gola people|Gola]], Mandingo or [[Mandinka people|Mandinka]], [[Mende people|Mende]], [[Kissi people|Kissi]], [[Gbandi]], [[Loma people|Loma]], [[Dei people|Dei]] or Dewoin, and [[Belleh people|Belleh]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/liberia/74187.htm |title=Liberia (09/06) |publisher=United States Department of States |access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref> The [[Americo-Liberians]], or ''Congo people'',{{efn|So named because many immigrants including those freed from slave ships arrived from ports at the mouth of the [[Congo River]].}} are a historical community in Liberia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aaregistry.org/story/the-americo-liberian-community-a-brief-story/ |title=The Americo-Liberian Community, a story |publisher=African American Registry |access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref>

The [[Kpelle people|Kpelle]] comprise more than 20% of the population and are the largest ethnic group in Liberia, residing mostly in [[Bong County]] and adjacent areas in central Liberia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/anthro/faculty/fiske/135b/kpelle.htm|title=Kpelle|first=Alan|last=Fiske|website=www.sscnet.ucla.edu|access-date=November 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102030436/http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/anthro/faculty/fiske/135b/kpelle.htm|archive-date=November 2, 2014}}</ref> Americo-Liberians, who are descendants of [[African American]] and [[West Indian]], mostly [[Barbadians|Barbadian]] (Bajan) [[settler]]s, make up 2.5%. Congo people, descendants of repatriated [[Kongo people|Congo]] and Afro-Caribbean slaves who arrived in 1825, make up an estimated 2.5%.<ref name="CIA"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theperspective.org/rewriting_history.html |title=Liberia's Ugly Past: Re-writing Liberian History |publisher=Theperspective.org |access-date=January 3, 2010 |archive-date=April 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420074423/http://www.theperspective.org/rewriting_history.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason= The ref provided "Liberia's Ugly Past" seems irrelevant here as it does not address population/demographics|date=May 2022}} These latter two groups established political control in the 19th century which they kept well into the 20th century.

The Liberian constitution exercises ''jus sanguinis'', which means it usually restricts its citizenship to "Negroes or persons of Negro descent."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liberianlegal.com/constitution1986.htm#_CITIZENSHIP|title=The Constitution of the Republic of Liberia – Chapter IV: Citizenship|website=www.liberianlegal.com|access-date=November 29, 2018|archive-date=October 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016145448/http://www.liberianlegal.com/constitution1986.htm#_CITIZENSHIP|url-status=live}}</ref> That being said, numerous immigrants have come as merchants and become a major part of the business community, including [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]], [[Indian people|Indians]], and other West African nationals. There is a high prevalence of interracial marriage between ethnic Liberians and the Lebanese, resulting in a significant [[mixed-race]] population especially in and around [[Monrovia]]. A small minority of Liberians who are [[White Africans of European descent]] reside in the country.{{Better source needed|reason= CIA Fact Book is no authority to populations in Liberia|date=November 2015}}<ref name="CIA"/>

=== Languages ===
English is the official language and serves as the ''[[lingua franca]]'' of Liberia.<ref name=pulitzer>{{cite web |first=Jina |last=Moore |url=http://pulitzercenter.org/blog/untold-stories/liberia-ma-ellen-talk-plenty-plenty-liberian-english |title=Liberia: Ma Ellen talk plenty plenty Liberian English |work=Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting |date=October 19, 2009 |access-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-date=October 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005210518/http://pulitzercenter.org/blog/untold-stories/liberia-ma-ellen-talk-plenty-plenty-liberian-english }}</ref> 27 indigenous languages are spoken in Liberia, but each is a [[first language]] for only a small percentage of the population.<ref name=e25>Liberia in {{e25}}</ref> Liberians also speak a variety of [[English-based creole languages|creolized dialects]] collectively known as [[Liberian English]].<ref name=pulitzer/>

The native [[Niger–Congo languages]] can be grouped in four language families: [[Mande languages|Mande]], [[Kru languages|Kru]], [[Mel languages|Mel]], and the divergent language [[Grebo language|Grebo]].<ref>[http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=liberia ''Ethnologue'' page on Languages of Liberia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018114601/http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=Liberia|date=October 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Aménagement linguistique dans le monde - Liberia |url=http://www.tlfq.ulaval.ca/axl/afrique/liberia.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913210256/http://www.tlfq.ulaval.ca/axl/afrique/liberia.htm |archive-date=September 13, 2012 |access-date=November 23, 2009}}</ref> [[Kpelle language|Kpelle]]-speaking people are the largest single linguistic group.

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Liberia}}

{{Bar box |float=left |titlebar=#ddd
|title=[[Religion in Liberia]] (2010)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/liberia#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010&region_name=All+Countries&restrictions_year=2015|title=Religions in Liberia – PEW-GRF|website=www.globalreligiousfutures.org|access-date=October 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106235755/http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/liberia#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010&region_name=All+Countries&restrictions_year=2015|archive-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref>
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Protestantism]]|lightBlue|76.3}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|12.2}}
{{bar percent|[[Roman Catholicism]]|red|7.2}}
{{bar percent|Other [[Christians|Christian]]|blue|1.6}}
{{bar percent|[[Irreligion|Unaffiliated]]|Lavender|1.4}}
{{bar percent|Other faith|grey|1.3}}
}}

According to the 2008 National Census, 85.6% of the population practiced [[Christianity]], while Muslims represented a minority of 12.2%.<ref name="Census 2008">{{cite web|url=https://www.lisgis.net/pg_img/NPHC%202008%20Final%20Report.pdf|title=2008 Population and Housing Census: Final Results|publisher=Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services|date=May 2009|page=A4-84|access-date=April 21, 2018|archive-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412091820/https://www.lisgis.net/pg_img/NPHC}}</ref> A multitude of diverse [[Protestant]] confessions such as [[Lutheran]], [[Baptist]], [[Anglican|Episcopal]], [[Presbyterian]], [[Pentecostal]], [[United Methodist]], [[African Methodist Episcopal]] (AME) and [[African Methodist Episcopal Zion]] (AME Zion) denominations form the bulk of the Christian population, followed by adherents of the [[Catholic Church]] and other non-Protestant Christians. Most of these Christian denominations were brought by [[African American|African-American]] [[settler]]s moving from the United States into Liberia via the [[American Colonization Society]], while some are indigenous—especially [[Pentecostal]] and [[evangelical Protestant]] ones. Protestantism was originally associated with Black American settlers and their [[Americo-Liberian]] descendants, while native peoples initially held to their own [[animist]] forms of [[African traditional religion]] before largely adopting Christianity. While Christian, many Liberians also participate in traditional, gender-based indigenous religious [[secret societies]], such as [[Poro]] for men and [[Sande society|Sande]] for women. The all-female Sande society practices [[female circumcision]].<ref name=irfr>{{cite web |url=https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2010/148698.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123105613/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2010/148698.htm |archive-date=November 23, 2010 |title=International Religious Freedom Report 2010: Liberia |work=United States Department of State |date=November 17, 2010 |access-date=July 22, 2011}}</ref>

[[Muslims]] comprised 12.2% of the population in 2008, largely represented by the [[Mandinka people|Mandingo]] and [[Vai people|Vai]] ethnic groups. Liberian Muslims are divided between [[Sunnis]], [[Shia]]s, [[Ahmadiyya]]s, [[Sufi]]s, and [[non-denominational Muslim]]s.<ref>Pew Forum on Religious & Public life. August 9, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2013</ref>

In 2008, 0.5% identified adherence to [[African traditional religion|traditional indigenous religions]], while 1.5% claimed no religion. A small number of people were [[Baháʼí]], [[Hindu]], [[Sikh]], or [[Buddhist]].

The Liberian constitution provides for [[freedom of religion]], and the government generally respects this right.<ref name=irfr/> While [[separation of church and state]] is mandated by the Constitution, Liberia is considered a [[Christian state]] in practice.<ref name="freedom">{{cite web |date=July 7, 2011 |title=Freedom in the World 2011 – Liberia |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e16b8f91a.html |access-date=January 23, 2023 |work=[[Freedom House]] |publisher=[[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019035608/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4e16b8f91a.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Public schools offer [[biblical studies]], though parents may opt their children out. Commerce is prohibited by law on Sunday and major [[Christian holiday]]s. The government does not require businesses or schools to excuse Muslims for [[Friday prayer]]s.<ref name=irfr/>
{{clear}}

=== Education ===
{{main|Education in Liberia}}

[[File:Liberian students.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Students studying by candlelight in [[Bong County]]]]
In 2010, the [[literacy rate]] of Liberia was estimated at 60.8% (64.8% for males and 56.8% for females).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/document.aspx?ReportId=121&IF_Language=eng&BR_Country=4300&BR_Region=40540 |title=Education profile – Liberia |work=Institute for Statistics |publisher=UNESCO |year=2010 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930035337/http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/document.aspx?ReportId=121&IF_Language=eng&BR_Country=4300&BR_Region=40540 }}</ref> In some areas primary and secondary education is free and compulsory from the ages of 6 to 16, though enforcement of attendance is lax.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74422|title=Liberia: Go to school or go to jail|date=September 21, 2007|work=IRN|publisher=UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|access-date=April 8, 2009|archive-date=March 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310014617/http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74422|url-status=live}}</ref> In other areas children are required to pay a tuition fee to attend school. On average, children attain 10 years of education (11 for boys and 8 for girls).<ref name=CIA/> The country's education sector is hampered by inadequate schools and supplies, as well as a lack of qualified teachers.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Sidiki |last1=Trawally |first2=Derek |last2=Reeves |url=http://www.liftliberia.gov.lr/press.php?news_id=100&related=Press%20Release |title=Making Quality Education Affordable And Assessable To All{{snd}}Prez. Sirleaf's Vision With Passion |work=Lift Liberia |year=2009 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512060404/http://www.liftliberia.gov.lr/press.php?news_id=100&related=Press%20Release |archive-date=May 12, 2013 }}</ref>

Higher education is provided by a number of public and private universities. The [[University of Liberia]] is the country's largest and oldest university. Located in Monrovia, the university opened in 1862. Today it has six colleges, including a medical school and the nation's only law school, [[Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law]].<ref>Jallah, David A. B. [http://www.ialsnet.org/meetings/enriching/JallahDavid.pdf "Notes, Presented by Professor and Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, David A. B. Jallah to the International Association of Law Schools Conference Learning From Each Other: Enriching the Law School Curriculum in an Interrelated World Held at Soochow University Kenneth Wang School of Law, Suzhou, China, October 17–19, 2007."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914053358/http://www.ialsnet.org/meetings/enriching/JallahDavid.pdf |date=September 14, 2013 }} International Association of Law Schools. Retrieved on September 1, 2008.</ref>

In 2009, [[Tubman University]] in [[Harper, Liberia|Harper]], [[Maryland County]], was established as the second public university in Liberia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thenewdawnliberia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=340:ellen-describes-tubman-universitys-opening-as-prs-success&catid=3:general&Itemid=68 |title=Ellen Describes Tubman University's Opening As PRS Success |newspaper=The New Dawn |date=March 3, 2010 |access-date=July 22, 2010 |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919003247/http://www.thenewdawnliberia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=340:ellen-describes-tubman-universitys-opening-as-prs-success&catid=3:general&Itemid=68 |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 2006, the government has also opened [[community college]]s in [[Buchanan, Liberia|Buchanan]], [[Sanniquellie]], and [[Voinjama]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/20101023President_Remarks_GBCC_Launch_Ground_Breaking.pdf |title=Remarks by H.E. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf At Official Launch and Fundraising Program Of the Grand Bassa Community College |publisher=The Executive Mansion |date=October 21, 2010 |access-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004060217/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/20101023President_Remarks_GBCC_Launch_Ground_Breaking.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Peter A. |last=Fahn |url=http://www.micat.gov.lr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=156:government-moves-ahead-with-education-decentralization-plans&catid=47:new-liberia&Itemid=91 |title=Government Moves Ahead With Education Decentralization Plans |date=July 7, 2011 |access-date=August 3, 2011 |archive-date=October 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003220056/http://www.micat.gov.lr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=156:government-moves-ahead-with-education-decentralization-plans&catid=47:new-liberia&Itemid=91 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004060405/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/press.php?news_id=1951 |url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/press.php?news_id=1951 |title=July 26 Celebrations Kick Off in Lofa As President Sirleaf Arrives |work=The Executive Mansion |date=July 25, 2011 |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |access-date=August 29, 2013}}</ref>

Due to student protests late in October 2018, newly elected president George Weah abolished tuition fees for undergraduate students in public universities in Liberia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mg.co.za/article/2018-10-25-liberias-weah-announces-free-tuition-for-undergrads|title=Liberia's Weah announces free tuition for undergrads|date=October 25, 2018|work=Mail & Guardian|access-date=March 20, 2018|agency=Agence France-Presse|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422213915/https://mg.co.za/article/2018-10-25-liberias-weah-announces-free-tuition-for-undergrads/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Health ===
{{Further|Health in Liberia}}
[[File:Life expectancy in Liberia.svg|thumb|Development of life expectancy]]

[[List of hospitals in Liberia|Hospitals in Liberia]] include the [[John F. Kennedy Medical Center (Liberia)|John F. Kennedy Medical Center]] in [[Monrovia]] and several others. [[Life expectancy]] in Liberia is estimated to be 64.4 years in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?end=2020&locations=LR&start=2020&view=bar |title=The WorldBank: Life Expectancy ranks |access-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804235643/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?end=2020&locations=LR&start=2020&view=bar |url-status=live }}</ref> With a fertility rate of 5.9 births per woman, the [[maternal mortality]] rate stood at 990 per 100,000 births in 2010, and 1,072 per 100,000 births in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unfpa.org/sowmy/resources/docs/country_info/profile/en_Liberia_SoWMy_Profile.pdf |title=The State of the World's Midwifery 2011: Liberia |work=United Nations Population Fund |access-date=August 2, 2011 |archive-date=December 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206210251/http://www.unfpa.org/sowmy/resources/docs/country_info/profile/en_Liberia_SoWMy_Profile.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Maternal health gets a new boost in Liberia |url=https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2017/7/feature-maternal-health-gets-a-new-boost-in-liberia |access-date=December 12, 2022 |website=UN Women – Headquarters |date=July 17, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212173610/https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2017/7/feature-maternal-health-gets-a-new-boost-in-liberia |url-status=live }}</ref> A number of highly communicable diseases are widespread, including [[tuberculosis]], [[diarrheal diseases]] and [[malaria]]. In 2007, the [[HIV]] infection rates stood at 2% of the population aged 15–49<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.DYN.AIDS.ZS/countries |title=Data: Prevalence of HIV, total (% of population ages 15–49) |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=February 23, 2011 |archive-date=June 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629102325/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.DYN.AIDS.ZS/countries |url-status=live }}</ref> whereas the incidence of tuberculosis was 420 per 100,000 people in 2008.<ref name="profile">{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/gho/countries/lbr.pdf |title=Liberia: Health profile |publisher=World Health Organization |access-date=February 23, 2011 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220210455/http://www.who.int/gho/countries/lbr.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Approximately 58.2<ref>{{cite news|title=Female genital mutilation (FGM)|url=https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/fgm/prevalence/en/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029201427/http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/fgm/prevalence/en/|archive-date=October 29, 2010|agency=World Health Organization}}</ref>–66<ref name=UNICEF2013p27>[http://www.unicef.org/media/files/FGCM_Lo_res.pdf UNICEF 2013]; {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405083031/http://www.unicef.org/media/files/FGCM_Lo_res.pdf |date=April 5, 2015 }}, p. 27.</ref> of women are estimated to have undergone [[female genital mutilation]].

Liberia imports 90% of its rice, a staple food, and is extremely vulnerable to food shortages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irinnews.org/IndepthMain.aspx?InDepthID=72&ReportID=77811 |title=Liberia: Nurtitional "crisis" in Monrovia |date=February 23, 2007 |publisher=Integrated Regional Information Networks. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |access-date=February 24, 2011 |archive-date=October 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016172049/http://www.irinnews.org/indepthmain.aspx?InDepthID=72&ReportID=77811 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2007, 20.4% of children under the age of five were malnourished.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.STA.MALN.ZS/countries |title=Data: Malnutrition prevalence, weight for age (% of children under 5). The |publisher=World Bank |access-date=February 23, 2011 |archive-date=May 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522050449/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.STA.MALN.ZS/countries |url-status=live }}</ref> Liberia has a high level of hunger and food insecurity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Hunger Index Scores by 2024 GHI Rank |url=https://www.globalhungerindex.org/ranking.html |access-date=December 22, 2024 |website=Global Hunger Index (GHI) - peer-reviewed annual publication designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at the global, regional, and country levels |language=en}}</ref>

Approximately 95% of the country's healthcare facilities had been destroyed by the time civil war ended in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=60788 |title=Liberia: Breathing Life into ailing healthcare system |date=September 2006 |publisher=Integrated Regional Information Networks. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |access-date=February 24, 2011 |archive-date=September 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910203141/http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=60788 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, government expenditure on health care per capita was US$22, (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=22|start_year=2009}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.PCAP/countries |title=Data: Health expenditure per capita (current US$) |publisher=World Bank |access-date=February 23, 2011 |archive-date=June 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609191024/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.PCAP/countries |url-status=live }}</ref> accounting for 10.6% of total GDP.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.TOTL.ZS/countries |title=Data: Health expenditure, total (% of GDP) |publisher=World Bank |access-date=February 23, 2011 |archive-date=June 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609021820/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.TOTL.ZS/countries |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, Liberia had only one doctor and 27 nurses per 100,000 people.<ref name="profile"/>

In 2014, an [[2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak|outbreak of Ebola virus]] in Guinea [[Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia|spread to Liberia]].<ref>{{cite news |first= Alphonso |last= Toweh |date= March 30, 2014 |title= Liberian health authorities confirm two cases of Ebola: WHO |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-liberia-ebola-idUSBREA2T0ON20140330 |work= Reuters |access-date= March 30, 2014 |archive-date= September 24, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924195329/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/30/us-liberia-ebola-idUSBREA2T0ON20140330 |url-status= live }}</ref> {{as of|2014|November|17|df=US}}, there were 2,812 confirmed deaths from the ongoing outbreak.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/17/how-liberia-might-have-beat-ebola.html |title=How Liberia (Might Have) Beat Ebola |newspaper=The Daily Beast |date=November 17, 2014 |access-date=November 17, 2014 |last1=Haglage |first1=Abby |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054112/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/17/how-liberia-might-have-beat-ebola.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Culture ==
{{main|Culture of Liberia}}

[[File:Brooklyn Museum 1998.80.2 Helmet Mask for Sande Society.jpg|thumb|Bassa culture. ''Helmet Mask for [[Sande society|Sande Society]] (Ndoli Jowei)'', Liberia. 20th century. [[Brooklyn Museum]].]]
The religious practices, social customs, and cultural standards of the Americo-Liberians had their roots in the [[Antebellum era|antebellum]] [[American South]]. The settlers wore [[top hat and tails]] and modeled their homes on those of Southern slaveowners.<ref>{{cite web |first=Teresa |last=Wiltz |url=http://www.theroot.com/views/liberia-war-weary-echoes-old-dixie |title=Liberia: War-Weary, With Echoes of Old Dixie |work=The Root |date=December 2, 2010 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901031105/http://www.theroot.com/views/liberia-war-weary-echoes-old-dixie |archive-date=September 1, 2011 }}</ref> Most Americo-Liberian men were members of the [[Masonic Order of Liberia]], which became heavily involved in the nation's politics.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Liberia has a rich history in textile arts and quilting, as the settlers brought with them their sewing and quilting skills. Liberia hosted National Fairs in 1857 and 1858 in which prizes were awarded for various needle arts. One of the most well-known Liberian quilters was Martha Ann Ricks,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/portrait.asp?LinkID=mp63618&rNo=0&role=sit|title=Martha Ricks|publisher=National Portrait Gallery|access-date=December 12, 2008|archive-date=May 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524033138/http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/portrait.asp?LinkID=mp63618&rNo=0&role=sit|url-status=live}}</ref> who presented a quilt featuring the famed Liberian [[coffee tree]] to [[Queen Victoria]] in 1892. When President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf moved into the Executive Mansion, she reportedly had a Liberian-made quilt installed in her presidential office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200603240593.html?page=2 |access-date=May 16, 2008 |title=Liberia: It's the Little Things{{snd}}A Reflection on Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's Journey to the Presidency |work=allAfrica.com |date=March 24, 2006 |archive-date=September 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915195122/http://allafrica.com/stories/200603240593.html?page=2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A rich literary tradition has existed in Liberia for over a century. [[Edward Wilmot Blyden]], [[Bai T. Moore]], [[Roland T. Dempster]] and [[Wilton G. S. Sankawulo]] are among Liberia's more prominent authors.<ref>{{cite news |first=Varney |last=Kamara |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201007200709.html |title=Liberia: "Literature Must Be Given Priority" |work=The Analyst |publisher=allAfrica.com |date=July 20, 2010 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020072418/http://allafrica.com/stories/201007200709.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Moore's novella ''[[Murder in the Cassava Patch]]'' is considered Liberia's most celebrated novel.<ref>{{cite web |first=J. Kpanneh |last=Doe |url=http://www.theperspective.org/bookreview.html |title=Baa Salaka: Sacrificial Lamb – A Book Review & Commentary |work=The Perspective |date=October 31, 2000 |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=September 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909064724/http://www.theperspective.org/bookreview.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Media ===
{{Main|Mass media in Liberia}}

=== Polygamy ===
{{Further|Polygamy in Liberia}}
One-third of married Liberian women between the ages of 15 and 49 are in [[polygamous marriage]]s.<ref name="Atlasof">OECD Atlas of Gender and Development: How Social Norms Affect Gender Equality in non-OECD Countries, OECD Publishing, 2010. p. 236.</ref> Customary law allows men to have up to four wives.<ref>Olukoju, Ayodeji. "Gender Roles, Marriage and Family", ''Culture and Customs of Liberia''. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2006, p. 97.</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{main|Liberian cuisine}}

[[File:Beachside Barbeque (6831739276).jpg|thumb|A beachside barbecue at [[Sinkor]], [[Monrovia]], Liberia]]
Liberian cuisine heavily incorporates rice, the country's staple food. Other ingredients include [[cassava]], fish, bananas, citrus fruit, [[Cooking banana|plantains]], coconut, [[okra]] and sweet potatoes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/liberia.php |title=Celtnet Liberian Recipes and Cookery |work=Celtnet Recipes |access-date=July 23, 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903234346/http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/liberia.php |archive-date=September 3, 2011 }}</ref> Heavy stews spiced with [[habanero]] and [[scotch bonnet]] chilies are popular and eaten with [[fufu]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Liberia.html |title=Liberia |work=Food in Every Country |access-date=August 27, 2013 |archive-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230134326/http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Liberia.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Liberia also has a tradition of [[baking]] imported from the United States that is unique in West Africa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gwydion.weebly.com/liberian-baking.html |title=The Baking Recipes of Liberia |work=Africa Aid |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910175551/http://gwydion.weebly.com/liberian-baking.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Sport ===
The most popular [[sport]] in Liberia is [[association football]], with former president [[George Weah]] being the nation's most famous athlete. He is so far the only African to be named [[FIFA World Player of the Year]].<ref name="FIFA">[https://web.archive.org/web/20131020073045/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=2187/ "Iconic Weah a true great"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved November 17, 2013</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=George Weah: Ex-AC Milan, Chelsea & Man City striker elected Liberia president |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41607141 |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=June 22, 2018 |access-date=September 7, 2018 |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430115039/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41607141 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Liberia national football team]] has reached the [[Africa Cup of Nations]] finals twice, in [[1996 African Cup of Nations|1996]] and [[2002 African Cup of Nations|2002]].

The second most popular sport in Liberia is [[basketball]]. The [[Liberian national basketball team]] has reached the [[AfroBasket]] twice, in [[FIBA Africa Championship 1983|1983]] and [[AfroBasket 2007|2007]].

In Liberia, the [[Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex]] serves as a multi-purpose [[stadium]]. It hosts [[FIFA World Cup]] qualifying matches in addition to international concerts and national political events.<ref>{{cite news|title=Liberia:Chaos Mars Grand Bassa and Nimba Clash|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201401211272.html|access-date=October 9, 2016|newspaper=All Africa|date=January 21, 2012|archive-date=January 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122173654/http://allafrica.com/stories/201401211272.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Measurement system ===
Liberia has not yet completely adopted the [[International System of Units]] (abbreviated as the SI, also called the metric system). The Liberian government has begun transitioning away from use of [[United States customary units]] to the metric system.<ref name=ut>
{{cite web|url = http://trend.ag.utk.edu/international/ReformingCocoaCoffeeMarketingLiberia.pdf|title = Reforming Cocoa and Coffee Marketing in Liberia|author = Wilcox, Michael D. Jr. |year = 2008|work = Presentation and Policy Brief|publisher = University of Tennessee|access-date = April 25, 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100624032539/http://trend.ag.utk.edu/international/ReformingCocoaCoffeeMarketingLiberia.pdf|archive-date = June 24, 2010}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Cited source mentions only that coffee farmers have been confused by switchover, gives no information of when or how switchover occurred.|date=February 2024}} This change has been gradual, with government reports concurrently using United States Customary and metric units.<ref>
{{cite web| url = http://www.emansion.gov.lr/content.php?sub=County%20Development%20Agendas&related=CDAs| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100114003713/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/content.php?sub=County%20Development%20Agendas&related=CDAs| archive-date = January 14, 2010| title = County Development Agendas| author = Government of Liberia| year = 2008| publisher = Government of the Republic of Liberia| access-date = May 1, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.molme.gov.lr/doc/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Annual%20Report%20Jan%201%20-%20Dec%2031%202009.pdf|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110410125217/http://www.molme.gov.lr/doc/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Annual%20Report%20Jan%201%20-%20Dec%2031%202009.pdf|archive-date = April 10, 2011|title = Annual report|author = Shannon, Eugene H.|date = December 31, 2009|publisher = Liberian Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy|access-date = May 1, 2010}}</ref> In 2018, the Liberian Commerce and Industry Minister announced that the Liberian government is committed to adopting the metric system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/business/govt-pledges-commitment-to-adopt-metric-system/|title=Gov't Pledges Commitment to Adopt Metric System|first=Robin|last=Dopoe|date=May 25, 2018|access-date=September 1, 2019|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109004653/https://www.liberianobserver.com/business/govt-pledges-commitment-to-adopt-metric-system/}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{portal|Liberia||}}
* [[Outline of Liberia]]
* [[Gender inequality in Liberia]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

{{Clear}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
{{refbegin|colwidth=30em}}
* Cooper, Helene, ''House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood'' (Simon & Schuster, 2008, {{ISBN|0743266242}})
* {{cite book | author1=Gilbert, Erik |author2=Reynolds, Jonathan T. | title=Africa in World History, From Prehistory to the Present | date=October 2003 | publisher=Prentice Hall | isbn = 978-0-13-092907-5| edition=Paperback }}
* {{cite book | title=Too Late to Turn Back | year=1991 | publisher=Penguin | isbn=0-14-009594-2 | author=Greene, Barbara | url=https://archive.org/details/toolatetoturnbac00gree }}
* {{cite book | author=Greene, Graham | year=1936 |title-link=Journey Without Maps | title=Journey Without Maps | publisher=Vintage }} Reprint (2010): {{ISBN|978-0-09-928223-5}}.
* {{cite book | title=Long Story Bit by Bit: Liberia Retold |location=New York | publisher=Umbrage | year=2009 | isbn = 978-1-884167-73-7| author=Hetherington, Tim }}
* {{cite book | title=Mississippi in Africa: The Saga of the Slaves of Prospect Hill Plantation and Their Legacy in Liberia Today | publisher=Gotham Books | year=2004 | isbn=978-1-59240-044-7 | author=Huffman, Alan | url=https://archive.org/details/mississippiinafr00huff }}
* {{cite book| url = https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/handle/1887/33835| title = Liberia: From the Love of Liberty to Paradise Lost| publisher = African Studies Centre, Leiden| year = 2015| isbn = 978-90-5448-144-7| author = Kraaij, Fred| author2 = van der| access-date = February 28, 2016| archive-date = August 3, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200803074535/https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/handle/1887/33835| url-status = live}}
* Lang, Victoria, ''To Liberia: Destiny's Timing'' (Publish America, Baltimore, 2004, {{ISBN|1413718299}}). Novel of the journey of a young Black couple fleeing America to settle in the African motherland of Liberia.
* Maksik, Alexander, ''A Marker to Measure Drift'' (John Murray 2013; paperback, 2014; {{ISBN|978-1848548077}}). A novel about a young woman's experience of and escape from the Liberian civil war.
* {{cite book
| title=Merriam Webster's Geographical Dictionary: third Edition
| publisher=Merriam Webster Inc.
| location=Springfield
| year=1997
| isbn=0-87779-546-0
| edition=Paperback
| url=https://archive.org/details/merriamwebstersg1998merr
}}
* [[Godfrey Mwakikagile|Mwakikagile, Godfrey]], ''Military Coups in West Africa Since The Sixties'', Chapter Eight: Liberia: 'The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here,' pp.&nbsp;85–110, [[Nova Science Publishers, Inc.]], Huntington, New York, 2001; Godfrey Mwakikagile, ''The Modern African State: Quest for Transformation'', Chapter One: The Collapse of A Modern African State: Death and Rebirth of Liberia, pp.&nbsp;1–18, Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2001.
* {{cite book
| title=Liberia: Portrait of a Failed State
| date=2001
| publisher=Reed Press
| isbn=1-59429-012-1
| author=Pham, John-Peter
| url=https://archive.org/details/liberiaportraito00pham
}}
* Sankawulo, Wilton, ''Great Tales of Liberia''. Dr. Sankawulo is the compiler of these tales from Liberia and about Liberian culture. Editura Universității "Lucian Blaga", Sibiu, Romania, 2004. {{ISBN|978-9736518386}}.
* Sankawulo, Wilton, ''Sundown at Dawn: A Liberian Odyssey''. Recommended by the Cultural Resource Center, Center for Applied Linguistics for its content concerning Liberian culture. {{ISBN|0976356503}}
* Shaw, Elma, ''Redemption Road: The Quest for Peace and Justice in Liberia'' (a novel), with a foreword by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Cotton Tree Press, 2008, {{ISBN|978-0980077407}})
* {{cite book
| title=Liberia: The Heart of Darkness
| date=2006 | publisher=Trafford Publishing
| isbn = 1-55369-294-2
| author=Williams, Gabriel I. H.
}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|voy=Liberia|Liberia}}
* {{Official website|https://www.emansion.gov.lr/}}, President official government portal
* [https://www.mofa.gov.lr/ Foreign Affairs of Liberia]
* [https://ecowap.ecowas.int/country/Liberia Liberia] profile from [[ECOWAS]]
* {{wikiatlas|Liberia}}
* {{OSM relation|192780}}
* [https://www.aljazeera.com/where/liberia/ News headline links] from [[Al Jazeera]].
* [https://www.democracynow.org/topics/liberia Liberia], Democracy Now!
* [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13729504 Liberia profile] from the [[BBC News]].
* [https://bizpages.org/countries--LR--Liberia Liberia Business Facts] from [https://bizpages.org Bizpages]

{{Liberia topics}}
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[[Category:Liberia| ]]<!--Please do not move this article from its correct and standard position at the head of its own category.-->
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[[Category:Economic Community of West African States]]
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