Facts and Figures, Geography/Environment, Counties/People

Economy

a. Currency Liberian dollar (LRD)

b. Currency Code LRD

c. Economy - overview

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 restoration of the infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy depend on the settlement of civil warfare, the implementation of sound macro- and micro-economic policies, including the encouragement of foreign investment, and generous support from donor countries.

d. Exports – commodities Rubber, timber, iron, diamonds,

cocoa, coffee .

e. Exports – partners Germany 54.8%, Poland 8.9%,

France 8.5%, China 4.9%, Italy 4.5%, US 4.2% (2002).

f. Fiscal year Calendar year.

g. GDP $3.116 billion (2002 est.)

(per capita) $939.35 per person

h. GDP – Composition 74%

by sector (agriculture)

j. GDP – Composition 7%

by sector (industry)

k. GDP – Composition 19% (2001 est.)

by sector (services)

l. GDP – real growth rate 2% (2002 est.)

m Gross National Income $0.4591277 billion (2001)

(per $ GDP) $14.73 per $100

(per capita) $138.40 per person

n. Imports – commodities Fuels, chemicals, machinery,

transportation equipment, manufactured goods; foodstuffs

o. Imports – partners South Korea 30.3%, Japan

19.1%, Germany 15.6%, France 9.1%, Singapore 7.9% (2002).

p. Industries Rubber processing, palm oil

processing, timber, diamonds.

r. Inflation (2000-2003) 10%

s. Inflation rate (consumer prices) 15% (2002 est.)

t. Population below poverty line 80%

(per $ GDP) 0.25 per $ 10 million

(per capita) 24.11 per 1 million people

Government

a. Administrative 15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gparbolu divisions Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount,

Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe

(per capita) 4.52 per 1 million people

b. Capital city Monrovia

c. Constitution 6 January 1986

d. Executive branch (cabinet) Cabinet appointed by the president

and confirmed by the Senate

e. Executive branch President Gyude BRYANT (since 14

October 2003); note – the president is both the chief of state and head of government.

f. Executive branch (elections) President elected by popular vote for

a six-year term (renewable); election last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held NA 2005).

g. Executive summary President: Charles Ghankay Taylor

(1997) NPP The president is elected for a six year term by the people. The government is formed by the NPP.

h. 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.

j. Flag modification 26 July 1847

k. Government type Republic

l. Independence 26 July 1847