Country Profile and Map

QUICK FACTS:

Official Name: Republic of Liberia
Area: 43,000 square miles, slightly larger than Ohio
Population (July 2009 est.): 3,441,790
Capital: Monrovia (pop. 1,010,970)
Annual growth rate (2008): 2.1%
Ethnic groups: indigenous African 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the US who had been slaves), Congo People 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves)
Religions: Christian 40%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 40%
Languages: English is the official language. There are 20 indigenous languages.
GDP (2008 est.): $836 million
Real GDP growth rate (2008 est.): 7.1%
Per capita GDP (2008 est.): $500
Natural resources: Iron ore, rubber, timber, diamonds, gold, and tin. The Government of Liberia believes there may be sizable deposits of crude oil along its Atlantic Coast.
Agriculture Products: Coffee, cocoa, sugarcane, rice, cassava, palm oil, bananas, plantains, citrus, pineapple, sweet potatoes, corn, and vegetables.

DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS

Literacy Rate (World Bank, 2007): 52%
Primary Completion Rate (World Bank, 2008): 55%
Life expectancy (World Bank, 2008): 58 years
Fertility Rate (World Bank, 2007): 5.1 births per woman
Infant Mortality, per 1,000 live births (World Bank, 2007): 157
Prevalence of HIV (World Bank, 2007): 1.7%
Access to an improved water source (World Bank, 2007): 64%
Income share held by the lowest 20% (World Bank, 2007): 6.4
Employment by sector (State Department): Agriculture--70%; industry--15%; services--2%. Employment in the formal sector is estimated at 15%.

USG REPRESENTATION:

Diplomatic Representation from the U.S.:
Chief of mission: Karl Albrecht (Acting)
Embassy: 502 Benson Street, Monrovia, Liberia
Telephone: [231] 77-054-826

USAID Representation from the U.S.:
Mission Director: Patricia Rader
USAID Mission: 502 Benson Street, Monrovia, Liberia
Telephone: [231]77-054-825 or 77-054-826
Telephone (VOIP): +1 202 216 6353

Additional Information:
State Department Country Profile: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6618.htm
CIA World Factbook Country Profile: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/li.html
USAID Country Profile: http://www.usaid.gov/locations/sub-saharan_africa/countries/liberia/
Government of Liberia: http://www.emansion.gov.lr/