Discover Liberia: Fun Facts About Africa's First Republic

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Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast, bordered by Sierra Leone to its northwest, Guinea to its north, Ivory Coast to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean to its south and southwest. It has a population of around 5.5 million and covers an area of 43,000 square miles (111,369 km2). Liberia is a fascinating country with a culture and heritage unlike any other. Here are some interesting facts about this resilient nation:

Historical and Cultural Facts

  1. Africa's Oldest Republic: Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847, making it Africa's first recognized independent state. The next African country to become an independent state was South Africa in 1910, after it declared separation from the British. Liberia's independence was very early compared to other countries in the region. Several monuments in Monrovia are a testament to this impressive fact, including the Joseph Jenkins Robert Memorial and the Centennial Pavilion.
  2. Founded by Freed African Americans: Liberia began in the early 19th century as a project of the American Colonization Society (ACS). Between 1822 and 1861, around 15,000 African Americans settled in Liberia. Liberia was founded in 1821 by the American Colonization Society as a home for formerly enslaved people from the United States. The motivations behind this movement were many. Some of these motivations were criticized by abolitionists who argued that the removal of formerly enslaved people from the United States strengthened the institution of slavery.
  3. Modeled After the U.S.: Because many people who traveled to Liberia were educated in the United States, the Liberian political system is very similar to the United States' system of governance.
  4. Flag Similar to the USA's: Liberia has historical ties with the United States and there is a clear resemblance of the Liberian flag to the American flag. A single star symbolises Liberia’s freedom and status as the first independent state in Africa.
  5. English is the Official Language: Liberia’s official language is English due to its historical connection to the United States. In addition to English, over 20 other languages are spoken in the country. There are wide varieties of the English language. Liberian English is the most formal variety, but Kru Pidgin, Liberian Creole, Merico, and Caribbean English are also commonly spoken.
  6. Monrovia's Original Name: The original name of Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, was Christianopolis. The city was named in his honor due to his support for the establishment of Liberia as a colony for freed African American slaves. The capital has a population of over one million people. Monrovia is named after U.S. president-James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States.

Unique Wildlife and Natural Wonders

  1. Home to Rare Endangered Animals: Liberia is home to many rare and endangered animals, such as the Diana Monkey, Upper Guinea Red Colobus, Western Chimpanzee, and the Pygmy Hippopotamus.
  2. 700 Bird Species: Liberia has an extraordinary variety of bird species, with different landscapes from which to spot the 700 bird species found in the country. Even more, Liberia has 700 bird species which include a bird that is slightly larger than a honey bee. More specifically, Liberia is home to the bee warbler.
  3. Butterfly Diversity: Amongst the Gorgeous Forests and Jungles of Liberia are 800+ Butterfly Species. Like Liberia’s wealth of bird species, many butterfly species live here as well! In the East Nimba Nature Reserve, for example, you can find the largest butterfly in Africa, the Giant African Swallowtail. Scientists believe there are even more species that haven’t been discovered yet!
  4. Second-Largest Tropical Rainforest: Liberia's Sapo National Park is most certainly, one of the 261 natural wonders of the world. Secondly, it contains the second largest area of primary tropical rain forest in West Africa. Lastly, Sapo National Park harbors the highest mammal species diversity in the world. As the second-largest area of protected primary tropical rainforest in West Africa, it is little wonder that Sapo National Park features an astonishing 590 types of birds. These include threatened species such as the white-breasted guinea fowl and the white-necked rockfowl. The African fish eagle, the gray parrot, great blue turaco, egrets, hornbills, kingfishers, rollers, and sunbirds can also be found in Sapo National Park. Located in the southeast and the country’s first national park, Sapo National Park is also home to the pygmy hippo, forest elephants, and chimpanzees.
  5. Tropical Forest: Liberia has more than 6.6 Million Hectares of Tropical Forest. Liberia holds most of the remaining Upper Guinean Forest, and this enchanting rainforest is one of the country's most incredible assets. The Upper Guinean Forest of West Africa is a global biodiversity hotspot. According to Conservation International, around the world, 36 areas qualify as hotspots.
  6. The endangered pygmy hippopotamus: The endangered pygmy hippopotamus, or pygmy hippo, can be found in Sapo National Park. Liberians call it a “water cow”.

Emerging Tourist Destinations

  1. Emerging Tourist Destinations: The Liberian government believes that tourism is an important part of the economy. Because of this, the government supports the tourism industry in Liberia. There are already many adventures waiting for you to discover. Check out Liberia’s top ten attractions to start planning your trip.
  2. Surfing Hotspot: Liberia is gaining recognition as an emerging destination for surfers, thanks to its impressive and relatively untouched surfing spots along the Atlantic coast. When asked about the best surfing locations in Africa, only some would know to list Liberia as one of them. Liberia is emerging as one of Africa’s leading surf destinations.
  3. Robertsport: Robertsport, in particular, is Liberia’s most famous surf spot, known for its long, consistent waves that attract surfers from around the world. Robertsport in Northwestern Liberia has an active local surfing community and attracts people from around the world who want to ride the waves in a remote and beautiful setting. Robertsport is a small fishing village 3-5 hours from Monrovia. Here, the point break waves of the Atlantic have created exceptional conditions for surfers. The country’s tropical climate and warm waters make it a comfortable surfing destination, with the best waves typically appearing between May and October during the rainy season.
  4. Untouched Beaches: The beaches of Liberia are spectacular but difficult to reach. Liberia's beaches have built a name as one of the best surf sights in Africa. Some beaches have golden untouched sands, clear waters, and perfectly formed waves.

Political and Economic Facts

  • First Female President: Liberia was the first African country to elect a female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in 2005. Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the first woman to be elected head of state of an African country.
  • George Weah as President: Liberia's President is George Weah, an outstanding footballer who was born in Clara Town, Liberia. Former professional footballer George Weah became Liberia’s president in 2018. He is the first African player to win the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or titles.
  • Flag of Convenience: Approximately, one in ten of the world’s ships are registered in Liberia and fly its flag in order to avoid taxes and stricter employment regulations. The practice is known as “flag of convenience”. Liberia operates one of the world’s largest flag of convenience registries, making it highly beneficial for ships to fly the Liberian flag. The Liberian registry was established in 1948 and has since grown into one of the largest and most widely used in global shipping. The country’s regulatory framework offers flexibility and economic incentives, such as simplified labor laws and lower operating costs.
  • Firestone Rubber Plantation: Liberia is home to one of the largest rubber plantations in the world, known as the Firestone Rubber Plantation. The world’s largest rubber plantation is located in Liberia. Rubber production has been a significant part of Liberia’s economy, and the Firestone plantation has played a crucial role in this sector. The plantation produces natural rubber latex, which is a key raw material for tire manufacturing and various rubber products.

Other Interesting Facts

  • One of Three Non-Metric Countries: Liberia is one of only three countries that doesn’t use the metric system of measurement. In Liberia, people commonly use non-metric measurements for various aspects of daily life, including distance (miles), weight (pounds), and volume (gallons). However, the country has made efforts to transition to the metric system, especially in government and educational contexts.
  • Oprah Winfrey's Ancestry: The one and only, Oprah Winfrey had traced her ancestors back to Liberia. Her hometown is the Liberian region of Kpelle.
  • Cavalla River: The longest river in Liberia is named after a fish called the Cavalla. It is a kind of horse mackerel. Similarly, it forms part of the Liberia-Cote d’Ivoire border and is 515 km long. It flows back to the Cote d'Ivoire border and ends in the Gulf of Guinea.

Liberia is a resilient country. After overcoming two civil wars, the country still has interesting historical, cultural and landmark events to flaunt.

Discovering Liberia Culture History and Natural Beauty

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