View source for Monrovia

{{short description|Capital, chief port, and the largest city of Liberia}}
{{about|the capital and largest city of Liberia}}
{{Lead too short|date=March 2023}}
{{Use Liberian English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!--See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields that may be available-->
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<!-- Basic info  ---------------->| name               = Monrovia<!-- at least one of the first two fields must be filled in -->
| other_name         = 
| native_name        = <!-- if different from the English name -->
| nickname           = 
| settlement_type    = [[Capital city]]
| total_type         = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
| motto              = <!-- images and maps  ----------->
| image_skyline      = Liberia, Africa - panoramio (256).jpg
| imagesize          = 290px
| image_caption      = Monrovia's skyline
| image_flag         = File:Flag of Monrovia, Liberia.svg
| flag_size          = 150px
| image_seal         = Monroviacitycorporationseal.jpg
| seal_size          = 
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| pushpin_map        = Liberia#Africa <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map -->
| pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Liberia
| pushpin_mapsize    = 290px
| pushpin_relief     = 1
<!-- Location ------------------>| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{Flag|Liberia}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Counties of Liberia|County]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Montserrado County.svg}} [[Montserrado County|Montserrado]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Districts of Liberia|District]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Greater Monrovia District|Greater Monrovia]]
<!-- Smaller parts (e.g. boroughs of a city) and seat of government -->| seat_type          = 
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| p2                 = <!-- etc. up to p50: for separate parts to be listed-->
<!-- Politics ----------------->| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = Local Government of Monrovia
| website            = {{URL|https://monrovia.gov.lr/}}
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = John-Charuk Siafi
| leader_title1      = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = Established <!-- Settled -->
| established_date   = April 25, 1822
| named_for          = [[James Monroe]] - [[President of the United States|U.S. President]]
<!-- Area    --------------------->| area_magnitude     = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial <!--Enter: Imperial, to display imperial  before metric-->
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 194.25
| area_land_km2      = 4523
<!--See table @ Template:Infobox settlement for details on unit conversion-->| area_water_km2     = 
| area_total_sq_mi   = 
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| area_water_percent = <!-- Elevation -------------------------->
| elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
| elevation_m        = 
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| elevation_min_ft   = <!-- Population   ----------------------->
| population_as_of   = 2022 Census
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/liberia/ | title=Liberia: Counties, Major Cities, Towns & Urban Areas - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information }}</ref>
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 1,7610,32<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/liberia/ | title=Liberia: Counties, Major Cities, Towns & Urban Areas - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information }}</ref>
| population_metro   = 2,225,911<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/liberia/ | title=Liberia: Counties, Major Cities, Towns & Urban Areas - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information }}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = 23500 <!-- General information  --------------->
| timezone           = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset         = +00:00
| coor_type          = <!-- can be used to specify what the coordinates refer to -->
| coordinates        = {{coord|6|18|48|N|10|48|5|W|region:LR|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
| postal_code        = 
| area_code          = 
| blank_name         = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info         = [[Tropical monsoon climate|Am]]
| footnotes          = 
}}
'''Monrovia''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|n|ˈ|r|oʊ|v|i|ə|audio=en-us-Monrovia.oga}})<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Monrovia |title=Definition of Monrovia |publisher=The Free Dictionary |access-date=2014-01-05 }} {{IPAc-en|m|ə|n|ˈ|r|oʊ|v|i|ə|,_|m|ɒ|n|ˈ|r|oʊ|v|i|ə}})</ref><ref>{{cite dictionary |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Monrovia |title=Define Monrovia|dictionary=Dictionary.com |access-date=2014-01-05}} {{IPAc-en|m|ə|n|ˈ|r|oʊ|v|i|ə}}</ref> is the administrative [[capital city|capital]] and largest city of [[Liberia]]. Founded in 1822, it is located on [[Cape Mesurado]] on the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic coast]] and as of the 2022 census had 1,761,032 residents, home to 33.5% of Liberia’s total population.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/liberia/ | title=Liberia: Counties, Major Cities, Towns & Urban Areas - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information }}</ref> Its largely urbanized metro area, including [[Montserrado County|Montserrado]] and [[Margibi County|Margibi]] [[Counties of Liberia|counties]], was home to 2,225,911 inhabitants as of the 2022 census. 

As the nation's [[primate city|primary city]], Monrovia is the country's economic, financial and cultural center. Its economy is primarily centered on its harbor and its role as the seat of Liberian government. Monrovia's economy is largely based on its position as chief [[List of ports and harbours of the Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic port]] of Liberia, with the [[Freeport of Monrovia]] based in the city being the largest and main port in Liberia.

Monrovia was traditionally the land of the [[Vai people|Vai People]], a [[West Africa|West African]] ethnic group. It was founded in April 1822 by members of the [[American Colonization Society|American Colonization Society (ACS)]], an organization which aimed for the return of [[free people of color|free people of color in the United States]] to Africa.

==Etymology==
Monrovia is named in honor of [[U.S. President]] [[James Monroe]], a prominent supporter of the colonization of Liberia and the ACS. Along with [[Washington, D.C.]], it is one of two world [[Capital city|capitals]] to be named after an American president. The original name of Monrovia was ''Christopolis'' until 1824, only two years after the city's founding. The "-via" suffix comes from either the [[Population history of West Africa|West African]] [[Edoid languages|Edoidi-]][[Edo people|Beninese]] deity [[Ovia (deity)|Ovia]] who presided over peace and prosperity, or the mythological figure Ovia of the Uhen tribe, famed for her great beauty, unwavering principles, and marrying the King of the [[Oyo Empire]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

==History==
{{see also|Timeline of Monrovia}}
[[File:Monrovia01.jpg|thumb|Monrovia in the 19th century.]]

Before 1816, the area around [[Cape Mesurado]] and the mouth of the [[Mesurado River]] was called Ducor. It had long been established as a crossroads and a place of trade inhabited by fishing, trading and farming communities of various ethnicities, including the [[Dewoin language|Dey]], [[Kru people|Kru]], [[Bassa people (Liberia)|Bassa]], [[Gola people|Gola]], and [[Vai people|Vai]]. The French cartographer and slave trader [[Chevalier des Marchais]] visited Ducor and the Cape in 1723, conducted business there and later published a map of the area.

In 1821, with the aim of establishing a self-sufficient colony for free people of color from the United States, something that had already been accomplished with British [[Black Loyalists]] in [[Freetown]], the first group of [[African American]] settlers arrived in West Africa from the United States under the auspices of the [[American Colonization Society]] and with the support of the U.S. government.<ref name="WDL">{{cite web |url = http://www.wdl.org/en/item/446/ |title = Map of Liberia, West Africa |work = [[World Digital Library]] |year = 1830 |access-date = 2013-06-02 }}</ref> They landed on [[Sherbro Island]], part of modern-day [[Sierra Leone]].

On January 7, 1822, a ship took these settlers to Dazoe Island (now called Providence Island) at the mouth of the Mesurado River. They subsequently went ashore at [[Cape Mesurado]], and established a settlement they called ''Christopolis''.<ref>Roman Adrian Cybriwsky, ''Capital Cities around the World: An Encyclopedia of Geography, History, and Culture'', ABC-CLIO, USA, 2013, p. 193</ref><ref>Britannica,
[https://www.britannica.com/place/Monrovia Monrovia], britannica.com, USA, accessed on July 7, 2019</ref>
In 1824, the city was renamed ''Monrovia'' after [[James Monroe]], president of the United States at the time. Monroe was a prominent supporter of plans to create a colony of some sort as a place to relocate African Americans from the [[United States|United States of America]] and combat the [[Atlantic Slave Trade]]. He likewise signed into law the Anti-Slave Trading Act of 1819, which funded the ACS's mission to create such a colony in West Africa. 

In 1845 there was a constitutional convention in Monrovia. At this convention a document was drafted that would be adopted two years later as the constitution of the newly independent and sovereign [[Republic of Liberia]].<ref>{{citation | first1 = Robin | last1 = Dunn-Marcos | first2 = Konia T. | last2 = Kollehlon | first3 = Bernard | last3 = Ngovo | first4 = Emily | last4 = Russ | date = April 2005 | editor-first = Donald A. | editor-last = Ranard | title = Liberians: An introduction to their history and culture | location = Washington, D.C. | publisher = Center for Applied Linguistics | url = http://www.trincoll.edu/~jmartha/liberians%20history%20and%20culture.pdf | url-status = dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060724191221/http://www.trincoll.edu/~jmartha/liberians%20history%20and%20culture.pdf | archive-date=2006-07-24 }}</ref> During [[World War I]] the city was affected by the [[German bombing of Monrovia]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Hodos |first=Paul N. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_dBHDwAAQBAJ&dq=bombing+of+monrovia+1918&pg=PP1 |title=The Kaiser's Lost Kreuzer: A History of U-156 and Germany's Long-Range Submarine Campaign Against North America, 1918 |date=2017-12-26 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-7162-8 |language=en}}</ref>

At the beginning of the 20th century 2,500 of Monrovia’s 4,000 residents were [[Americo-Liberian]]. At that time Monrovia consisted of two sectors: Monrovia proper and Krutown. The city's Americo-Liberian population resided in the former sector. Because of American settlers' influence the architectural style of its buildings was reminiscent of that of the [[southern United States]]. Krutown was inhabited mainly by ethnic [[Kru people|Krus]], but also by [[Bassa (Liberia)|Bassas]], [[Grebo people|Grebos]] and members of other ethnic groups.<ref name="google1">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJfJHjiiDyUC&pg=PA367 |title= Encyclopedia of Twentieth-Century African History |access-date=2010-07-04|isbn=9780415234795 |last1=Zeleza |first1=Tiyambe |last2=Eyoh |first2=Dickson | date =2003 | publisher = Routledge }}</ref> By 1926 ethnic groups from Liberia's interior began to migrate outwards toward Monrovia in search of jobs.<ref name="google1"/> By 1937 Monrovia’s population had grown to 10,000. At this time the town had 30 police officers.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=1937-09-13|title=Liberia Celebrates 90 Years of Independence with Champagne|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RUgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA87|magazine=[[Life (magazine)|Life]]|volume=3|issue=11|pages=87–88|issn=0024-3019}}</ref>

[[File:Carter and Tolbert.png|thumb|Visiting US President [[Jimmy Carter]] and Liberian President [[William Tolbert]] wave from their motorcade, 1978.]]
In 1979, the [[Organisation of African Unity]], chaired by the then president of Liberia, [[William Tolbert]], held its conference near Monrovia. During his term, Tolbert improved [[public housing]] in Monrovia and slashed [[tuition fees]] at the [[University of Liberia]] in half. In 1980 a military coup led by [[Samuel Doe]] overthrew the Tolbert government and executed many of its members. Tolbert, and others who were killed in the coup, were buried in a mass grave in Palm Grove Cemetery.

The [[First Liberian Civil War]] (1989 to 1997) and [[Second Liberian Civil War]] (1999 to 2003) severely damaged the infrastructure of the city. Much of the damage occurred during the [[siege of Monrovia]]. Major battles included clashes between Samuel Doe's government forces and [[Prince Johnson]]'s forces in 1990 and the [[National Patriotic Front of Liberia]]'s assault on the city in 1992. During these wars young children and youth, deprived of resources and schooling, were forced to involve themselves in the fighting. Afterwards, many of them were left homeless.

In 2002 [[Leymah Gbowee]] organized the [[Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace]], a group consisting of local Monrovian women, who gathered in a fish market to pray and sing.<ref>[http://www.odemagazine.com/blogs/readers_blog/9001/leymah_gbowee_peace_warrior_for_liberia 2009 Peace warrior for Liberia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227090728/http://www.odemagazine.com/blogs/readers_blog/9001/leymah_gbowee_peace_warrior_for_liberia |date=2009-12-27 }}</ref> This movement helped to end the war the following year and to bring about the election of [[Ellen Johnson Sirleaf]] as president of Liberia, which made it the first African nation to have a [[female president]].<ref>{{cite web | title=African women look within for change | website=CNN.com | date=2010-09-23 | url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/30/africa.women/ | access-date=2019-08-25}}</ref>

In 2014 Monrovia was affected by the [[2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak]].<ref>{{Cite web| title = The terrifying mathematics of Ebola
|work = Channel 4|access-date=2014-09-11|date = 2014-09-11|url = http://blogs.channel4.com/tom-clarke-on-science/terrifying-mathematics-ebola/1329}}</ref> The [[Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia]] was declared over on 3 September 2015.

==Geography==
[[File:Monrovia Bay.jpg|thumb|The Atlantic Ocean as seen from Monrovia.]]

Monrovia lies along the Cape Mesurado peninsula, between the Atlantic Ocean and the [[Mesurado River]], whose mouth forms a large natural harbor. The [[Saint Paul River]] lies directly north of the city and forms the northern boundary of [[Bushrod Island]], which is reached by crossing the "New Bridge" from downtown Monrovia. Monrovia is located in [[Montserrado County]] and is Liberia's largest city as its administrative, commercial and financial center.<ref name=housing>{{cite web |url=http://www.iut.nu/Facts%20and%20figures/Africa/Liberia_HousingSectorProfile.pdf |title=Liberia Housing Profile |publisher=[[United Nations Human Settlements Programme]] |pages=14–15, 23 |date=2014 |access-date=2017-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017042216/http://www.iut.nu/Facts%20and%20figures/Africa/Liberia_HousingSectorProfile.pdf |archive-date=2017-10-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Climate===
Monrovia's climate is classified as a [[tropical monsoon climate]] (''Am'') within the [[Köppen climate classification]].<ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{cite web|title=Climate: Monrovia - Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table|url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/506/|publisher=Climate-Data.org|access-date=2014-01-05}}</ref> It is the wettest capital city in the world, with annual rainfall averaging {{convert|182|in}}.<ref>[https://www.economist.com/blogs/baobab/2012/09/liberia%E2%80%99s-capital The rain in Monrovia]</ref> It has a [[wet season]] and a [[dry season]] but gets precipitation even during the dry season. Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year, averaging around {{convert|79.5|F}}. The only slight variations are in the high temperatures, which are around {{convert|81|F}} in the winter and near {{convert|90|F}} in the summer. Lows are usually between {{convert|72|and|75|F}} year-round.
{{Weather box|width = auto
|location = [[Roberts International Airport]], {{convert|60|km|order=flip}} east of Monrovia, Liberia
|metric first = 
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 35.0
|Feb record high C = 38.0
|Mar record high C = 37.0
|Apr record high C = 38.0
|May record high C = 35.0
|Jun record high C = 33.0
|Jul record high C = 36.0
|Aug record high C = 35.0
|Sep record high C = 32.0
|Oct record high C = 33.0
|Nov record high C = 36.0
|Dec record high C = 34.0
|Jan high C = 31.8
|Feb high C = 32.0
|Mar high C = 31.8
|Apr high C = 31.5
|May high C = 30.5
|Jun high C = 28.3
|Jul high C = 27.2
|Aug high C = 26.8
|Sep high C = 27.7
|Oct high C = 29.4
|Nov high C = 30.3
|Dec high C = 30.0
|year high C = 29.8

|Jan mean C = 26.2
|Feb mean C = 27.1
|Mar mean C = 27.6
|Apr mean C = 27.8
|May mean C = 27.4
|Jun mean C = 26.0
|Jul mean C = 25.1
|Aug mean C = 24.9
|Sep mean C = 25.4
|Oct mean C = 26.1
|Nov mean C = 26.7
|Dec mean C = 26.4
|year mean C = 26.4

|Jan low C = 22.0
|Feb low C = 23.4
|Mar low C = 23.7
|Apr low C = 23.8
|May low C = 23.9
|Jun low C = 23.4
|Jul low C = 23.0
|Aug low C = 22.9
|Sep low C = 23.3
|Oct low C = 23.2
|Nov low C = 23.5
|Dec low C = 22.5
|year low C = 23.2

|Jan record low C = 15.0
|Feb record low C = 18.0
|Mar record low C = 18.0
|Apr record low C = 21.0
|May record low C = 20.0
|Jun record low C = 20.0
|Jul record low C = 20.0
|Aug record low C = 20.0
|Sep record low C = 17.0
|Oct record low C = 20.0
|Nov record low C = 20.0
|Dec record low C = 16.0

|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 51
|Feb rain mm = 71
|Mar rain mm = 120
|Apr rain mm = 154
|May rain mm = 442
|Jun rain mm = 958
|Jul rain mm = 797
|Aug rain mm = 354
|Sep rain mm = 720
|Oct rain mm = 598
|Nov rain mm = 237
|Dec rain mm = 122

|Jan rain days = 4
|Feb rain days = 3
|Mar rain days = 8
|Apr rain days = 12
|May rain days = 22
|Jun rain days = 24
|Jul rain days = 21
|Aug rain days = 17
|Sep rain days = 24
|Oct rain days = 22
|Nov rain days = 16
|Dec rain days = 9

|Jan humidity = 78
|Feb humidity = 76
|Mar humidity = 77
|Apr humidity = 80
|May humidity = 79
|Jun humidity = 82
|Jul humidity = 83
|Aug humidity = 84
|Sep humidity = 86
|Oct humidity = 84
|Nov humidity = 80
|Dec humidity = 79

|Jan sun = 158
|Feb sun = 167
|Mar sun = 198
|Apr sun = 195
|May sun = 155
|Jun sun = 105
|Jul sun = 84
|Aug sun = 81
|Sep sun = 96
|Oct sun = 121
|Nov sun = 147
|Dec sun = 155
| source 1 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (average temperature and extremes only)<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_656600_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Robertsfield (Int. Flugh.) / Liberia
| publisher = Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure
| access-date = 15 June 2016}}
</ref>
| source 2 = [[Danish Meteorological Institute]]<ref>
{{cite web |url=http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/tr01-17.pdf |url-status=dead |title=STATIONSNUMMER 65660 |publisher=Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate |website=Danish Meteorological Institute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116071752/http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/tr01-17.pdf |archive-date=January 16, 2013 |access-date=15 June 2016}}
</ref>
}}

===Neighborhoods===
[[File:Map of Monrovia.png|thumb|300px|A map of central Monrovia in 1996.]]
[[File:Monrovia, Liberia Population Density and Low Elevation Coastal Zones (5457306759).jpg|thumb|300px|Monrovia's population density and low elevation coastal zones. Monrovia is especially vulnerable to [[sea level rise]].]]
Monrovia comprises several districts spread across the Mesurado peninsula; the greater metropolitan area encircles the mouth of the marshy Mesurado River. The historic downtown area, centered on Broad Street, is at the very end of the peninsula; the major market district, Waterside, immediately to its north, faces the city's large natural harbor.

Northwest of Waterside is the large, low-income [[West Point, Liberia|West Point]] community. To the west and southwest of the downtown area is Mamba Point, traditionally the city's principal diplomatic quarter and home to the embassies of the United States and United Kingdom, as well as the European Union delegation. South of the city center is Capitol Hill, where the major institutions of the national government, including the [[Temple of Justice (Liberia)|Temple of Justice]] and the Executive Mansion, are located.

Further east along the peninsula is the [[Sinkor]] section of Monrovia. Originally a suburban residential district, today Sinkor is the bustling midtown section of the city. It includes many diplomatic missions, major hotels, businesses, and residential neighborhoods, including informal communities such as Plumkor, Jorkpentown, Lakpazee and Fiamah.
Sinkor is home to the city's secondary airport, [[Spriggs Payne Airport|Spriggs Payne]]. The area immediately next to the airport, called Airfield, is a major nightlife district for the whole city. East of the Airfield is the Old Road section of Sinkor, which is predominantly residential, and includes informal settlements such as [[Chugbor]] and [[Gaye Town]].

At the southeastern base of the peninsula is the independent township of Congo Town, and to its east is the large suburb of [[Paynesville, Liberia|Paynesville]]. Other suburbs, such as [[Chocolate City, Liberia|Chocolate City]], [[Gardnersville]], [[Barnesville, Liberia|Barnesville]], [[Kaba Town]], [[Dandawailo]], and [[New Georgia, Liberia|New Georgia]] lie to the north, across the river. On [[Bushrod Island]], north of Monrovia, are the neighborhoods of [[Clara Town]], [[Logan Town]] and [[New Kru Town]]. To the far east are the suburbs of [[Stockton Creek Bridge]], [[Caldwell, Liberia|Caldwell]], [[Louisiana, Liberia|Louisiana]], and [[Cassava Hill]].

; Other neighborhoods and suburbs of Monrovia include:

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Bakoi]]
* [[Banjoa]]
* [[Barekling]]
* [[Bassa Community]]
* [[Buzzi Quarters]]
* [[Clara Town]]
* [[Crown Hill, Liberia|Crown Hill]]
* [[Dixville, Liberia|Dixville]]
* [[Doin Town]]
* [[Dwahn Town]]
* [[Duala, Liberia|Duala]]
* [[Fanti Town]]
* [[Jatuja]]
* [[Jacob Town]]
* [[Jallah Town]]
* [[Logan Town]]
* [[Matadi]]
* [[New Kru Town]]
* [[Old Road, Liberia|Old Road]]
* [[Point Four, Liberia|Point Four]]
* [[Red Light, Liberia|Red Light]]
* [[Slipway, Liberia|Slipway]]
* [[Snapper Hill]]
* [[South Beach, Liberia|South Beach]]
* [[Toe Town]]
* [[Tomo (Liberia)|Tomo]]
* [[Topoe Village]]
* [[Vai Town]]
* [[Virginia, Liberia|Virginia]]
{{div col end}}

==Notable people==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> 
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦---> 
*[[Mary Antoinette Brown-Sherman]] (1926–2004), Liberian educator and first woman president of the University of Liberia
*[[Prince Johnson]], Liberian politician
*[[Clarence Kparghai]], Swiss ice hockey player
*[[Sio Moore]], American football player
*[[Darlington Nagbe]], American soccer player
*[[Aloysius Wleh Penie]], Liberian footballer 
*[[Massimo Pigliucci]] (born 1964), ecological and evolutionary geneticist
*[[Ellen Johnson Sirleaf]], former president of Liberia
*[[Takun J]], Liberian musician
*[[Charles Taylor (Liberian politician)|Charles Taylor]], former president of Liberia
*[[Benoni Urey]], Liberian businessman 
*[[George Weah]], Liberian president and former footballer 
*[[Ashton Youboty]], American football player
*[[Gus Edwards (American football)|Gus Edwards]], American football player

==Economy==
{{unreferencedsect|date=June 2023}}
[[File:Market stall @ Monrovia, Liberia - panoramio.jpg|thumb|A market stall in central Monrovia]]

Monrovia's economy is dominated by its harbor - the [[Freeport of Monrovia]] - and as the location of Liberia's government offices. Monrovia's harbor was significantly expanded by U.S. forces during the [[World War II|Second World War]] and the main exports include [[latex]] and [[iron ore]].

Materials are also manufactured on-site, such as [[cement]], refined [[petroleum]], food products, [[brick]] and [[tile]], furniture, and [[Chemical industry|chemicals]]. Located on [[Bushrod Island]] between the mouths of the [[Mesurado River|Mesurado]] and [[Saint Paul River|Saint Paul]] rivers, the harbor also has facilities for storing and repairing vessels.

==Transport==
[[File:Robert International Airport, Margibi County, Liberia.jpg|thumb|[[Roberts International Airport]] Terminal]]
{{Main|Transport in Liberia}}
Boats link the city's Freeport of Monrovia, the country's busiest port, with [[Greenville, Liberia|Greenville]] and [[Harper, Liberia|Harper]].<ref name="wapost">{{cite news|title=Liberia's Streets, Spirits Brighten; Four Years After War's End, Battered W. African Nation Begins a Slow Reawakening|last=Timberg|first=Craig|date=March 12, 2008|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|pages=A8}}</ref> The nearest airport is [[Spriggs Payne Airport]], located less than four miles ({{convert|4|mi|abbr=out|disp=output only}}) from the city center. [[Roberts International Airport]], the largest international airport in Liberia, is {{convert|37|mi|0|abbr=out}} away in [[Harbel]].<ref name="wapost"/>

Monrovia is connected with the rest of the country via a network of roads and railways. Monrovia is listed as the home port by between ten and fifteen percent of the world's merchant shipping, registered in Liberia under [[Flag of Convenience]] arrangements. Both private taxis and minibuses run in the city, and are supplemented by larger buses run by the [[Monrovia Transit Authority]].

In recent years (2005–present) the roads on many streets in Monrovia have been rebuilt by the World Bank and the Liberian Government. Private and public infrastructures are being built or renovated as reconstruction takes place.

==Administration and government==
[[File:Liberian Capitol Building.jpg|thumb|The Liberian Capitol Building.]]

Monrovia is situated in the [[Districts of Liberia|district]] of [[Greater Monrovia District|Greater Monrovia]] in [[Montserrado County]]. Instead of being divided into [[Clans of Liberia|clans]] like other districts of Liberia, Greater Monrovia is divided into 16 "zones". Like clans, these zones are [[Communities of the Greater Monrovia District|subdivided into 161 communities]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Greater Monrovia, Liberia - Administrative Boundaries Overview|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/LBR_BM_Monrovia_Communities_A3.pdf |website=ReliefWeb |publisher=Liberia Institute of Statistics & Geo-Information Services|access-date=18 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="CitiesAlliance">{{cite web|title=THE TRANSFORMATIVE ROLE OF CITY-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST EBOLA AND BEY OND IN GREATER MONRO VIA, LIBERIA|url=http://www.citiesalliance.org/sites/citiesalliance.org/files/CA_Liberia_report_WEB.pdf|website=Cities Alliances|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118081948/http://www.citiesalliance.org/sites/citiesalliance.org/files/CA_Liberia_report_WEB.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Greater Monrovia does not have an organized district administration like other districts, with all lower-level local authorities being directly supervised by the Montserrado County Superintendent.<ref name="Development">{{cite web|title=Montserrado County Development Agenda, 2008-2012|url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/MontserradoCDA.pdf|website=emansion.gov.lr/|publisher=Republic of Liberia|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=2 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102070138/https://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/MontserradoCDA.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

Municipally, Greater Monrovia District is subdivided into two city corporations and ten other local authorities (nine townships and one borough).<ref name="CitiesAlliance"/><ref>{{cite web|title=THE LIBERIA COUNTRY PROGRAMME|url=http://www.citiesalliance.org/sites/citiesalliance.org/files/12.%20Liberia%20Country%20Programme_ENG.pdf|website=Cities Alliance|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=14 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614060659/http://www.citiesalliance.org/sites/citiesalliance.org/files/12.%20Liberia%20Country%20Programme_ENG.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Established in 1973<ref>{{cite web |url=http://monroviacity.blogspot.com/2007/09/mcc-launches-website-more-to-come-for.html |title=A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CITY OF MONROVIA - By: Madam Ophelia Hoff Saytumah City Mayor of Monrovia |website=Monrovia City Corporation |date=2007-09-29 |access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref> and operational since 1976,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tlcafrica.com/ad_city_hall_monrovia_day_ad_2-2011.htm |title=ORDINANCE NO. 4 |website=TLC Africa |access-date=2017-10-16 |archive-date=2017-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016232057/http://www.tlcafrica.com/ad_city_hall_monrovia_day_ad_2-2011.htm |url-status=usurped }}</ref> the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) is responsible for the city's administration. The MCC provides services to the townships and borough through a revenue-sharing arrangement, but has no zoning or enforcement jurisdiction in them.<ref name=housing/>

'''City corporations'''
*Monrovia City Corporation
*[[Paynesville, Liberia|Paynesville]] City Corporation

'''Townships'''
*Barnesville
*[[Caldwell, Liberia|Caldwell]]
*Congo Town
*[[Dixville, Liberia|Dixville]]
*[[Gardnersville]]
*Garworlon
*Johnsonville{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
*[[New Georgia, Liberia|New Georgia]]
*[[West Point, Monrovia|West Point]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citiesalliance.org/sites/citiesalliance.org/files/CA_Monrovia_WEB_LOW.pdf |title=The First Greater Monrovia City Forum |publisher=[[Cities Alliance]] |page=3 |date=2017 |access-date=2018-01-31 |archive-date=2018-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613143228/http://www.citiesalliance.org/sites/citiesalliance.org/files/CA_Monrovia_WEB_LOW.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

'''Borough'''
*[[New Kru Town]]

Former mayors include:
* W. F. Nelson, 1870s<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.masshist.org/findingaids/doc.cfm?fa=fa0221|title=Trustees of Donations for Education in Liberia Records: 1842-1939|publisher=Massachusetts Historical Society|access-date=3 February 2010|archive-date=30 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230161716/http://www.masshist.org/findingaids/doc.cfm?fa=fa0221|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* C. T. O. King, 1880s and served three terms<ref name="burrowes">{{cite book |last=Burrowes |first=Carl Patrick |title=Power and Press Freedom in Liberia, 1830-1970{{thinsp}}: the impact of globalization and civil society on media-government relations|publisher=Africa World |year=2005 |pages=117, 159 |isbn=1-59221-294-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FaEs88IpUzEC&pg=PA117 |oclc=1050127437}}</ref>
* H. A. Williams, 1890s<ref>{{cite book|last=Payne|first=Daniel Alexander|title=A history of the African Methodist Episcopal church: being a volume supplemental to A history of the African Methodist Episcopal church|publisher=Book Concern of the A.M.E. Church|year=1922|page=181 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CATiAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA181}}</ref>
* [[Arthur Barclay]], 1892–1902<ref>{{citation |title=Liberia Bulletin |year=1904 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NGgTAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA6-PA34 |publisher=American Colonization Society }}</ref>
* Gabriel M. Johnson, 1912–1913; 1920–1921<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.international.ucla.edu/africa/mgpp/intro08.asp|title=African Series Introduction: Volume VIII: October 1913--June 1921|work=The Marcus Garvey and UNIA Papers Project|publisher=UCLA|access-date=3 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Lewis |first=David Levering|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/27727681|title=W.E.B. Du Bois|date=1993–2000|publisher=H. Holt|isbn=0-8050-2621-5|oclc=27727681}}</ref>
* [[Thomas J. R. Faulkner|Thomas J.R. Faulkner]], 1914–1918<ref name="burrowes"/>
* Nathan C. Ross, 1956–1969<ref>{{cite news|title=Nathan Ross; Was Mayor Of Monrovia|date=January 28, 2003|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>
* [[Ellen A. Sandimanie]], 1970–1973<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Thompson|first=Era Bell|date=January 1972|title=Liberian Lady Wears Three Hats |magazine=Ebony |pages=54–62 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C3VNev1_SpIC&pg=PA54}}</ref>
* [[Ophelia Hoff Saytumah]], 2001–2009
* [[Mary Broh]], February 2009 – February 2013
* [[Henry Reed Cooper]], March 2013 – July 2013
* Clara Doe-Mvogo, March 2014 – January 2018
* Jefferson Tamba Koijee, January 2018 – January 2024

==Culture and media==
[[File:Monrovia, Liberia - panoramio (53).jpg|thumb|Broad Street, Monrovia at night]]
Cultural attractions in Monrovia include the [[Liberian National Museum]], the [[Masonic Order of Liberia|Masonic Temple]], the Waterside Market, and several beaches. The city also houses [[Antoinette Tubman Stadium]] and the [[Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex]], with [[stadium seating|seats]] for 22,000.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

The newspaper industry in Monrovia dates back to the 1820s, with the founding of the ''[[Liberia Herald]]'', one of the first newspapers to be published in Africa. Today, numerous [[tabloid (newspaper format)|tabloid]]-style newspapers are printed daily or bi-weekly, most are 20 pages or less. The ''[[Daily Talk]]'' is a compilation of news and Bible quotations written daily on a roadside blackboard in the [[Sinkor]] section of Monrovia.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}}

Monrovia also has radio and TV stations. Radio is the dominant source of news, because problems with the [[Grid (electricity)|electric grid]] make watching television more difficult. [[UNMIL]] Radio has been broadcasting since October 2003, and is the only 24 hour radio station in Liberia. It reaches an estimated {{frac|2|3}} of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unmil.org/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110095400/http://www.unmil.org/content.asp?ccat=radio|url-status=dead|title=UNMIL – Misión de las Naciones Unidas en Liberia|archive-date=January 10, 2007|website=www.unmil.org}}</ref> The state-owned [[Liberia Broadcasting System]] broadcasts nationwide from its headquarters in Monrovia.<ref>[http://www.emansion.gov.lr/press.php?news_id=950 Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) Goes Nation-Wide.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722152013/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/press.php?news_id=950 |date=2011-07-22 }} 19 November 2008. Executive Mansion</ref> [[STAR radio]] broadcasts at 104 FM.<ref>[http://www.starradio.org.lr/content/view/481/27/ About us.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910044813/http://www.starradio.org.lr/content/view/481/27/ |date=2008-09-10 }} STAR radio. Retrieved on October 13, 2008.</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Fendell.jpg|thumb|An aerial view of the [[University of Liberia]] Fendell campus, on the outskirts of Monrovia]]

Monrovia is home to the [[University of Liberia]], along with [[African Methodist Episcopal University]], [[United Methodist University]], [[Stella Maris Polytechnic]], and many other public and private schools. Medical education is offered at the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine, and there is a nursing and paramedical school at the Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts.

[[K-12|Kindergarten through twelfth grade]] education is provided by the [[Monrovia Consolidated School System]], which serves the greater Monrovia area. Schools include Monrovia Central High School, Bostwain High School, D. Twe High School, G. W. Gibson High School and William V. S. Tubman High School.

The [[American International School of Monrovia]] is located in [[Congo Town (Liberia)|Congo Town]].<ref>[http://www.aismonrovia.com/ Home page]. [[American International School of Monrovia]]. Retrieved on April 7, 2015. "Old Road, Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia, Africa | P.O. Box 1625"</ref>

== Places of worship ==   
The [[places of worship]] in Monrovia are predominantly [[Christianity|Christian]] churches and temples. These include the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia]] ([[Catholic Church]]), [[the United Methodist Church in Liberia]] ([[World Methodist Council]]), the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational convention ([[Baptist World Alliance]]) and the [[Assemblies of God]].<ref>J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ‘‘Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices’’, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 1716</ref> In October 2021, The [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]] announced plans to construct a temple in Monrovia.[https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2021-10-03/temples-announced-reactions-october-2021-general-conference-228655] The city also has [[Islam|Muslim]] mosques.

==Pollution==
{{Further|Environmental issues in Liberia}}
[[File:Mesurado River (6831730706).jpg|thumb|Dwellings along the [[Mesurado River]] in Monrovia. Discarded plastics can be seen washed up on the bank opposite the buildings.]]

[[Pollution]] is a significant challenge in Monrovia.<ref name="liberianobserver.com">[http://www.liberianobserver.com/environment/monrovia’s-‘never-ending’-pollution-issues-2013 "Monrovia’s ‘Never-Ending’ Pollution Issues In 2013"], Edwin M. Fayia III, The [[Liberian Observer]], December 30, 2014. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226052254/http://www.liberianobserver.com/environment/monrovia%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98never-ending%E2%80%99-pollution-issues-2013 |date=December 26, 2016 }}</ref> Piles of household and industrial rubbish tend to build up. The [[World Bank]] pays sanitation companies to collect it, but collections are irregular.<ref name="liberianobserver.com"/>

In 2013, the problem of uncollected rubbish in the [[Paynesville, Liberia|Paynesville]] area of Monrovia became so acute that traders and residents burnt "the huge garbage piles that seemed on the verge of cutting off the main road" out of Monrovia to [[Kakata]].<ref name="liberianobserver.com"/>

Flooding brings additional environmental problems to residents: flood water picks up the waste that has been deposited in swamps at the edge of residential areas, and spreads it around.<ref name="liberianobserver.com"/>

In 2009, only one-third of Monrovia's 1.5 million people had access to clean toilets.<ref name="LIBERIA: Disease rife"/> Those without their own toilets defecate in the narrow alleyways between their houses, or on the beach, or into plastic bags that they dump onto nearby piles of rubbish or into the sea.<ref name="LIBERIA: Disease rife">[http://www.irinnews.org/report/87110/liberia-disease-rife-as-more-people-squeeze-into-fewer-toilets "LIBERIA: Disease rife as more people squeeze into fewer toilets"], [[The New Humanitarian|IRIN News]], 19 November 2009.</ref>

Congested housing, a lack of any requirement that landlords provide working toilets, and virtually no urban planning "have combined to create lethal sanitation conditions in the capital".<ref name="LIBERIA: No relief">[http://www.irinnews.org/report/81536/liberia-no-relief-as-most-monrovians-go-without-toilets "LIBERIA: No relief as most Monrovians go without toilets"], [[The New Humanitarian|IRIN News]], 19 November 2008.</ref>

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Africa#Liberia|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Liberia}}

===Twin towns – Sister cities===
Monrovia is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
* {{flagicon|ROC}} [[Taipei]], [[Taiwan]]<ref name="Taipei twinnings">{{cite web |url=http://web.tcc.gov.tw/eng/sister_cities.htm |title=Taipei - International Sister Cities |access-date=2013-08-23 |publisher=Taipei City Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102035422/http://web.tcc.gov.tw/eng/sister_cities.htm |archive-date=2012-11-02}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Dayton, Ohio]], [[United States]]

==See also==
{{Portal|Liberia}}
* [[John F. Kennedy Medical Center (Liberia)|John F. Kennedy Medical Center]]
* [[Palm Grove Cemetery]]
* [[Sacred Heart Cathedral, Monrovia]]
*[[Executive Mansion (Liberia)|Executive Mansion]]

'''General:'''
* [[History of Liberia]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{See also|Timeline of Monrovia#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Monrovia}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Monrovia}}
* [http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/EART/maps/monrovia.jpg City Map]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110715132341/http://www.pureone.com/Products/pc/Liberia/Population/LIB043_Population_density_by_Community_for_Greater_Monrovia_04-10-03.pdf Map of Greater Monrovia showing population densities]
* {{Wikisource-inline|list=
** {{Cite NIE|wstitle=Monrovia|year=1905 |short=x |noicon=x}}
** {{Cite Americana|wstitle=Monrovia (Liberia)|display=Monrovia, Liberia|year=1920 |short=x |noicon=x}}
** {{Cite Collier's|wstitle=Monrovia|year=1921 |short=x |noicon=x}}
}}

{{List of African capitals}}
{{James Monroe}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Spoken Wikipedia|Monrovia.ogg|date=2019-6-19}}

[[Category:Monrovia| ]]
[[Category:Capitals in Africa]]
[[Category:James Monroe]]
[[Category:Mesurado River]]
[[Category:Montserrado County]]
[[Category:Populated places established by Americo-Liberians]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 1820s]]
[[Category:Populated places in Liberia]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Liberia]]
[[Category:Saint Paul River]]
[[Category:1822 establishments in Africa]]