Republic of Liberia
Presented by Mounir Siaplay
Liberia
Liberian History
• The Grain Coast is located on the West Coast of
Africa.
• The area became known as Grain Coast in the
15th Century because of its “grains of Paradise”,
seeds of pepper which became a major export
item to Europe.
• Due to the Slaves revolt for freedom and
equality on the Caribbean Islands and on the
shores of the United States, the American
Colonization Society was found in 1816.
Liberian History (Cont.)
• The objective of the organization was to return
free slaves to Africa in order for the slaves to be
reintegrated into their culture.
• In 1822, the first free Slave arrived in Sierra
Leone and Later in Liberia.
• The free slaves renamed the Grain Coast
Liberia because they came to search for Liberty.
• The Capital City was called Monrovia after U.S.
President James Monroe who helped passed a
bill for $100,000 to return free slaves to Africa.
Liberian History (Cont.)
• On July 26, 1847, Liberia became the first
Republic in Africa.
• In 1848, England and France were the first
countries to accept Liberian Independence.
• However, the United States recognized Liberian
Independence in 1862 because U.S. leaders at
the time especially in the Southern part of U.S.
did not want to accept that blacks could govern
themselves. Moreover, they did not want a black
ambassador sent to Washington, D.C.
Liberian History (Cont.)
• The descendents of free slavers account for
about 5 percent of the Liberian Population.
• They became known as Americo-Liberian and
became part of the elite class due to knowledge,
education, and experienced of the western
culture.
• The Americo-Liberian class ruled Liberia since
independence in 1847.
Liberian History (Cont.)
• Due to mass corruption, exploration of
natural resources, and denying indigenous
people better education system, health,
political equality etc., the Americo-Liberian
ruling class were removed through a Coup
D’ Etat in 1980 by indigenous people.
• However, corruption and tribalism became
a major problem during the 1980s.
Liberian History (Cont.)
• On December 25, 1989, Liberia experienced its
first civil war. The civil war was led by Charles G.
Taylor. In 1997, Charles G. Taylor became the
22nd president of the Republic of Liberia.
• Between 1999-2003 another civil war begun and
Charles G. Taylor resigned due to the
international community pressure to restore
order in Liberia on August 10, 2003.
• On October 11, 2005, Liberian are going to the
poll to vote for the 23rd president of Liberia.
Liberian Government System
Liberia has three branch of government:
1) Executive Branch – head by the
president who is elected for six year
renewable term.
2) Legislative Branch – consist of 26
senators and 64 house of representative.
3) Judicial Branch – Supreme Court judges
are appointed for life. The laws consist
both common and tribal laws.
People
• The population of Liberia is about 3.4
million.
• There are sixteen Ethnic groups that
comprise of 95 percent of the population.
• 5 percent from descendants of free slaves
from the United States and the Caribbean
Islands.
Religion
Liberian religious Beliefs include:
• Indigenous = 40%
• Christian = 40%
• Muslim = 20%
Climate
• Liberia is hot and humid.
• Average temperature range from 63
degree F to 87 degree F.
• Annual rain fall is 177 inches.
• There are two seasons: Rain and Dry
seasons.
Resources
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Rubber
Iron ore
Diamonds
Gold
Timber
Map of Liberia
Flag Description:
11 equal horizontal stripes of red
(top and bottom) alternating with
white; there is a white five-pointed
star on a blue square in the upper
hoist-side corner; the design was
based on the US flag
Flag of Liberia
Seal of Liberia
Bong Mine