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) Rubber

2) Iron ore

3) Diamonds

4) Gold

5) 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