Africa’s oldest republic, established more than two centuries ago by freed American slaves, Liberia suffered from years of turmoil caused by tribal strife and exacerbated by the intrusion of kinsmen from neighboring states.

Hopes of recovery when Charles Taylor became president in July 1997 in an election declared free and fair by foreign observers, were dashed as he abused his powers and civil war resumed.

In August 2003 Taylor was forced to step down and go into exile and 2005 Dr. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf became Africa’s first female head of state when she won a hotly contested election against world soccer star George Weah. The new government has aggressively pursued foreign investors to reinvigorate the economy.

Country Profile

The Republic of Liberia has a hot and humid monsoon climate lasting from April to November. The coastline is straight, with shallow, mangrove-fringed lagoons and no natural harbors. The land rises from the broad coastal plain to a plateau and high mountain ranges on the northern borders.

Diamonds are extracted from the river valleys and timber and rubber from the forests. Some 30 indigenous groups belong to three cultural or linguistic groupings-the Mande and Atlantic Mel in the northern half of the country and the Kru (or Kruan) in the southern half of the country.

The Liberians of African-American lineage, who dominated the country’s politics from the 1820s to 1980, account for only 5% of the total population and are concentrated around Monrovia and other coastal centers. There are also small groups of Lebanese and Ful (Fulani) on these cities and towns.

English is the official language but a Creole version referred to as Merico or Liberian English is the mother tongue of the Americo-Liberians. More than 70% of the population profess ethnic religious beliefs, 20% practice the Muslim faith and 10% are Christians.

Business Activity

Agriculture

Rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugar cane, bananas, sheep, goats, timber.

Industries

Rubber and palm oil processing, diamonds.

Natural Resources

Iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold.

Exports

$1.2 billion (est. 2006): diamonds, iron ore, rubber, timber, coffee, cocoa.

Imports

$7.1 billion (est. 2006): fuel, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs.

Major Trading Partners

Malaysia, US, South Africa, South Korea, Poland, Spain, Japan, China, Singapore.

Source: Les de Villiens, Africa 2009, Ninth Edition (A publication of The Corporate Council on Africa and Business Books International)