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The Republic of Liberia

History

Government Observers

Country Facts

Situated in West Africa, Liberia is Africa's oldest republic. In the early nineteenth century The American Colonization Society embarked on a plan to resettle freed slaves, from the United States and the West Indies, in Africa. To this end, they purchased land from the leaders of the local Bassa ethnic group, on what was then known as the "Grain Coast." In 1820, the first African-American repatriates arrived on the purchased land, which later became known as Liberia. The first several decades of settlement were plagued by high mortality rates and nearly the first eighty years were marked by intermittent conflict between the settlers and the indigenous inhabitants. During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Liberian government also had to defend itself against the French and British who were attempting to colonize the republic. The relative weakness of the republic's strength, in comparison to that of the British and the French, is signaled by the fact that by the end of the nineteenth century Liberia had lost almost half of its land to these two colonial powers. In 1911, Liberia came under U.S. protection and the relationship between the two countries strengthened during World War II when Liberia served as host to several American military bases.

During the period prior to 1980 Liberia's government was led by a series of Americo-Liberian civilian leaders, however, this trend was interrupted by intermittent coups starting in 1980. Civilian rule was restored in 1985, but by 1989 another coup, this time led by current President Charles Taylor, ensued and was followed by a bloody civil war. In 1997, civilian rule was once again restored with President Taylor emerging as the victor of the presidential elections. In addition, the United Nations undertook a massive program for the return of Liberian refugees from other West African nations. Liberia is still in the midst of recovering from the devastating economic and social turmoil caused by the civil war and as a result, the direction of this long-standing republic's future remains uncertain.

Chairman's Statement:

Diamonds indigenous to Liberia are found in both diamondiferous kimberlite and alluvial mining centers. Western Liberia has the most significant potential for producing kimberlite diamonds. The most productive areas for alluvial mining are located in and around Gbapa and Takpormah. Of the diamonds produced in Liberia, approximately 25% are of gem quality and 40% are of near gem quality, with the remaining 35% ranked as industrial quality.

President: Her Excellency Ellen JOHNSON-SIRLEAF

Deputy Minister of Land, Mines, & Energy: Eugene H. SHANNON

Ministry Of Lands, Mines And Energy

P.O. Box 10-9024, 1000

Monrovia, Liberia

Telephone: +231 22 1580

Fax: +231 22 6281

Population: 3,685,076

Capital: Monrovia

Major languages: English (official language), Indigenous languages (many of which form part of the Niger-Congo language group)

Major religions: Christianity, Islam, Indigenous Belief Systems

Life expectancy: 56 years (men), 61 years (women)

Monetary unit: 1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 cents

Main exports: Diamonds, iron ore, rubber, timber, coffee, cocoa

Average annual income: Not available

Internet domain: .lr

International dialing code: +231