Here are some interesting facts about Liberia for kids which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.
Liberia is a country located in West Africa and borders the North Atlantic Ocean. The country lies north of the equator and belongs to the Northern Hemisphere.
Liberia borders three countries: Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d'Ivoire. Sierra Leone lies to the Northwest, Guinea to the North and Côte d'Ivoire to the East of the country.
The longest border is shared with Côte d'Ivoire over 778 km/ 483 miles.
The coastline of Liberia along the North Atlantic Ocean is 579 km/ 360 miles long and thus the country has the longest coastline of all West African countries.
Liberia is slightly smaller than Honduras and about the size of Bulgaria. Liberia is also slightly larger than the state of Virginia/ USA.
Liberia's name comes from the Latin word 'liber' which means freedom or liberty. Liberia was the first African country to declare independence in 1847.
Liberia has a hot equatorial and tropical climate with a wet season from May to October and a dry season from November to April. Liberia experiences some of the highest annual rainfall in Africa, particularly in the coastal region and thus the region has rich fertile soils that are important for agriculture.
The ocean current that flows along the coast of Liberia is the Guinea Current. This current brings cooler waters from the South Atlantic Ocean and helps moderate the temperatures along the coast of Liberia. The current keeps the coastal areas relatively cooler compared to inland regions.
The Guinea Current is also known as the West African Coastal Current. The Guinea Current and prevailing winds influence the distribution of rainfall along the coast of Liberia.
This supports lush vegetation and diverse ecosystems along the coast of Liberia.
The national animals of Liberia is the lion.
Liberia is home to dense rainforests which are important habitats for diverse plant and animal species. There are over 700 bird species in Liberia and the country is home to chimpanzees, African forest elephants, and also pygmy hippos can be found here.
The pygmy hippopotamus and the western chimpanzee live in the forests and swamps of Liberia and is smaller than the common hippopotamus. It is an endangered animal due to poaching, disease and habitat loss. Also the African Forest Elephant is under threat due to habitat loss and poaching for their precious ivory.
The giant pangolin is the largest species of pangolin and is found in forests of Liberia. The giant pangolin belongs to the vulnerable species as they are poached for scales and meat.
Liberia is often referred to as the oldest republic in Africa, as it was founded in 1847 by freed slaves from the United States. The country was founded and settled with the support of a private organisation from the United States of America known as the American Colonisation Society! They encouraged the repatriation of freed slaves and freeborn people to the African continent although many of the freeborn coloured people who only knew America did not want to be transported back to Africa and be repatriated.
More than 28 ethnic group with various languages live in Liberia. The largest ethnic group are the Kpelle people which account for about one third of the population.
English is the official language of Liberia, but more than 30 indigenous languages spoken throughout the country. Amongst the indigenous languages are Kpelle, Bassa and Dan.
About 50% of the population of Liberia lives in and around the capital city and in Nimba county. The biggest cities are: Monrovia (1 million inhabitants), Gbarnga (56,000 inhabitants), Buchanan (50,000 inhabitants), Kanta (42,000 inhabitants) and Kakata with over 30,000 inhabitants.
Christianity is practiced by most of the population, most of the Christians are Protestants. Islam is practised by about 20% of the Liberians. Traditional indigenous religions remain strong in Liberia. Almost half of all people practice these indigenous religions and conduct traditional rituals.
Liberia has a wealth of traditional stories and proverbs. Storytelling is a cherished tradition and is used to teach social norms, values, and traditions to the younger generation.
Masks are important in traditional rituals and thus mask making is a much valued craft. Liberia is also famous for its wooden carvings and fabric weaving.
Traditional Liberian music and dance play an important role in the country's culture. Traditional drumming and the famous "Liberian stomp" dance are important features.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, born in 1938, is Liberia's foremost politician who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011. She was the first female head of state in Africa when she was elected as President of Liberia in 2006. She was Liberia's president until 2018.
Football is the most popular sport in Liberia. The national team is known as the "Lone Stars". George Weah, a former professional soccer player with Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, was the former President of Liberia from 2018 until 2024.
Liberia is one of the 45 least developed countries according to the UN. These countries are usually referred to as LDCs. Three out of 10 people live in poverty and the vast majority of the population earn less than 10 US-Dollar per day!
However, Liberia is rich in natural resources including iron ore, gold, diamonds, timber, and rubber. A vast rubber plantation, operated by the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, has been a major economic driver in Liberia since the early 20th century.
The Port of Monrovia, located in the capital city of Monrovia, is the largest and busiest port in Liberia. It serves as a major hub for trade and commerce, handling various imports and exports.
The main agricultural produce are: cassava, rice, bananas, sugar cane, corn, taro and plantains.
The main trading partners of Liberia are China, Guyana, Japan and South Korea. In Europe, Poland and Switzerland are among the dominant importers of Liberian products.
Liberian cuisine is influenced by both African and American cultures, with popular dishes including rice, cassava, palm butter soup, and fried plantains.
Rice is the country's staple food. Liberian cuisine also heavily features tropical fruits, vegetables, and local fish.
Typical food in Liberia:
We hope you enjoyed our Facts about Liberia. We will add more info about this stunning country soon. Now enjoy our other pages with facts about other African countries...
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