Liberia, State of West Africa; 111,000 km2, 4.8 million residents (2019).Liberia borders in the northwest to Sierra Leone, in the north to Guinea and in the east to the Ivory Coast and in the southwest has a 570 km long coast towards the Atlantic. The capital is Monrovia (1.1 million residents, 2010).
Country facts
- Republic of Liberia / Republic of Liberia
- Country abbreviation: LR
- Area: 111 000 km2
- Population (2019): 4.8 million residents
- Capital: Monrovia
- Main languages: English, kpelle
- State: Republic
- Head of State and Head of Government: George Weah (President)
- Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 674
- GNI per capita (2018): US $ 600
- Currency unit: 1 Liberian dollar = 100 cents
- Currency code: LRD
- Country number (telephony). 231
- Internet domain name: lr
- Time difference compared to Sweden: −1
- National Day: July 26 (Independence Day, 1847)
Nature
- Land use: forest (18%), agricultural land (4%), other (78%)
- Highest mountain: Wuteve (1,380 m asl)
Population
- Population density (2019): 43 residents per km2
- Natural population growth (2019): 2.4%; birthrate 32 ‰, deathrate 8 ‰
- Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (42%), 15-64 (55%), 65- (3%)
- Life expectancy (2019): men 62 years, women 65 years
- Infant mortality (2019): 55 per 1,000 live births
- Population forecast 2050: 9 million residents
- HDI (2017): 0.435 (place 181 of 189)
- Urbanization rate (2019): 51%
- Most populous city (2010): Monrovia (1.1 million residents)
Business
- Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (34%), industry (14%), service (52%)
- Exports (2017): US $ 260 million
- Main export products: rubber, timber, iron ore, diamonds
- Main exporting countries: Germany, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates
- Imports (2017): US $ 1,166 million
- Main import products: fuel, chemicals, machinery
- Main importing countries: Singapore, China, South Korea
- Railway network (2010): 430 km
Liberia consists of a 25–35 km wide, sandy coastal plain with marshland that has within it a 30 km wide hill area. Thereafter, a highland, which ends with a mountainous region with, among other things, Nimbabergen. The country has tropical rainforest climate with monsoon character.
The executive power is held by the president, who is the head of state, head of government and commander-in-chief and who is elected in general elections for six years. The legislative power is held by Parliament, which is divided into two chambers. The members of the House of Representatives are elected in general elections for six years, while each county appoints two members of the Senate for a term of nine years.
Liberia’s economy is largely focused on primary production and is therefore greatly affected by variations in world market prices. The 13-year civil war meant a significant destruction of the country’s economic infrastructure, but since the peace settlement in 2003, the economy has been rebuilt; major investments in the former thriving iron industry are planned. The country’s most important export product is raw rubber. The registration of merchant vessels has long accounted for a large part of the state income.
Liberia Map
