Republic of Liberia

Wealth and National Well-Being

Country Comparisons: chart

World Factbook: "Civil war and government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around the capital, Monrovia. Many businesses fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them, but with the conclusion of fighting and the installation of a democratically-elected government in 2006, some have returned. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products - primarily raw timber and rubber."

Estimated per capita GDP (2010 U.S. dollars)
2010: $500 (ranks 225th)

Labor force in agriculture
2000: 70%

Infant mortality (deaths before the age of one year per 1,000 live births)
2011: 74.52 deaths
2005: 128.87

Average life expectancy at birth
2011: 57 years
2005: 47.69

People

Population:
July 2011: 3.79 million

Birth and death rates
2011: birtsh 37.25, deaths 10.62

Living in an urban area
2010: 48%

Density estimated in 2005: 36 persons per square kilometer.

Ethnic groups
2008 census: Kpelle 20.3%, Bassa 13.4%, Grebo 10%, Gio 8%, Mano 7.9%, Kru 6%, Lorma 5.1%, Kissi 4.8%, Gola 4.4%, other 20.1%

Religion
2008 census: Christian 85.6%, Muslim 12.2%, Traditional 0.6%, other 0.2%, none 1.4%

Literancy (age 15 and older)
2003: males 73.3%, females 41.6%

Geography

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone. 579 kilometers of coastline. Tropical, hot and humid. Slightly larger in area than Tennessee.

Government

Chief of state and head of government: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (president) since 16 January 2006, Harvard University, Unity Party.

The president is elected by popular vote for a six-year term and elligble for a second term. Legislature is bicamera: the Senate with 30 members and the House of Representtives with 64 members. Members are elected by popular vote; senators for nine-year terms, house members of six-year terms.

Capital: Monrovia.

Recent History

1847: Settlement of freed slaves from the US becomes an independent republic. 1980, a military coup led by Samuel Doe begins a decade of authoritarian rule.

December 1989, Charles Taylor launches a rebellion against Doe's regime that leads to a prolonged civil war in which Does is killed.

1997: Charles Taylor elected president.

2000: Fighting resumes. An August 2003 peace agreement ends the war. Taylor faces war crimes charges.

November 14, 2005: "There's no running water in Monrovia or anywhere else in Liberia; there's no electricity, except that which is provided by generators; there's no land line telephones; there's no sewage system and the road system is completely decrepit." Mike McGovern International Crisis Group.

In late 2005, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is elected president. She is a new hope for those who want democracy and peace for Liberia. She assumes office on January 16, 2006. The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) maintains a strong presence throughout the country,

SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/