Liberia
Guides, Tours |
| Short Information | Capital: Monrovia
Language: English
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF, XAF) | |
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 General details about Liberia |  CAPITAL CITY OF Liberia: Monrovia
LANGUAGE OF Liberia: English
CURRENCY OF Liberia: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF, XAF)
COMMENTS ABOUT Liberia:
Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the west coast of Africa.
Cities : Monrovia (capital), Greenville, Harper, Paynesville
Best Places : Sapo National Park
Eat : falafel sandwiches, abundant local fish, palm butter, casava leaf, potato greens, chock rice, jollof's rice, fuf, soup, roasted fish, fried plantain chips, banana bread,
Electricity : 120V/60Hz (USA & European plugs. NOTE: so bring adaptors for both)
Time zone : GMT
Calling code : +231
In August 2003, a comprehensive peace agreement ended 14 years of civil war and prompted the resignation of former president Charles TAYLOR, who was exiled to Nigeria. The National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) - which is composed of rebel, government, and civil society groups - assumed control in October 2003. Chairman Gyude BRYANT, who was given a two-year mandate to oversee efforts to rebuild Liberia, heads the new government. The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which maintains a strong presence throughout the country, completed a disarmament program for former combatants in late 2004, but the security situation is still volatile and the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country remains sluggish.
CLIMATE OF Liberia: tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers
RELIGION OF Liberia: indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
POPULATION OF Liberia: 3,390,635 (July 2004 est.)>
CULTURA OF Liberia: Liberia was traditionally noted for its hospitality, academic institutions, cultural skills, and arts/craft works— Liberia has a long, rich history in textile arts and quilting. The free and former US slaves who emigrated to Liberia brought with them their sewing and quilting skills. The 1843 Liberian census indicated a variety of occupations, including hatter, milliner, seamstress and tailor. Liberia hosted National Fairs in 1857 and 1858 in which prizes were awarded for various needle arts. One of the most well-known Liberian quilters was Martha Ann Ricks, who presented a quilt featuring the famed Liberian coffee tree to Queen Victoria in 1892.
ECONOMY OVERVIEW OF Liberia: Civil war and misgovernment have destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Many businessmen have fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Some have returned, many will not. 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. Local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. The departure of the former president, Charles TAYLOR, to Nigeria in August 2003, the establishment of the all-inclusive National Transition Government of Liberia (NTGL), and the arrival of a UN mission are all encouraging signs that the political crisis is coming to an end. The restoration of infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy depend on the implementation of sound macro- and micro-economic policies, including the encouragement of foreign investment, and generous support from donor countries.
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