Facts and Figures, Geography/Environment, Counties/People

General Facts and Figures

a. Geography Liberia is situated in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean. The landscape is characterized by mostly flat to rolling coastal plains, which rise to rolling plateau and low mountains in the northeast. The climate is tropical: hot and humid. Winters are dry with hot days and cool to cold nights. Summers are wet and cloudy with frequent heavy showers.

b. Culture Liberia was traditionally noted for its hospitality and academic institutions, cultural skills and arts and craft works.

c. Borders Guinea 563 km, Cote d’Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km

d. Population 3,317,176 (July 2003 est.)

e. Demographics

(1) The population of over 3 million comprises 16 indigenous ethnic groups and various foreign minorities. The Kpelle in central and western Liberia is the largest ethnic group. The Liberian constitution restricts citizenship only to people of Negro descent. Political upheavals and civil war have brought about a steep decline in living standards.

(2) The country currently has an approximate 85% unemployment rate.

f. GDP per capita $939.35 per person