Liberia
Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to its northwest, Guinea to its north, Ivory Coast to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean to its south and southwest. It has a population of around 5.5 million and covers an area of 43,000 square miles (111,369 km2). The official language is English. Over 20 indigenous languages are spoken, reflecting the country's ethnic and cultural diversity. The capital and largest city is Monrovia.
Some of the key events about Liberia
- 1822Establishment of Liberia as a colony for freed African American slaves, displacing indigenous peoples
- 1847Liberia declared independence, becoming Africa's first independent republic
- 1847Declaration of independence led to tensions between Americo-Liberians and indigenous population
- 1862The United States officially recognized Liberia as an independent nation
- 1904Liberia's first hospital, the government hospital in Monrovia, was established
- 1920Forced labor practices on rubber plantations exposed, leading to international scandal
- 1926Firestone Tire and Rubber Company established a large rubber plantation, boosting the economy
- 1944William V.S. Tubman was elected president, ushering in an era of economic growth and modernization
- 1958Liberia's first commercial iron ore mine began operations, significantly increasing exports
- 1980Violent military coup overthrew the government, ending Americo-Liberian political dominance
- 1989The University of Liberia celebrated its centennial, marking 100 years of higher education in the country
- 1989First Liberian Civil War began, resulting in widespread violence and destruction
- 1990Execution of the president and government officials broadcast on national television
- 1996Brutal battle for control of Monrovia left thousands dead and much of the city destroyed
- 1999Second Liberian Civil War erupted, further destabilizing the country
- 2003United Nations accused Liberian government of supporting rebels in neighboring Sierra Leone
- 2005Liberia held its first post-war democratic elections, marking a return to peace
- 2011President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in promoting peace
- 2014Ebola virus epidemic severely impacted Liberia, causing thousands of deaths and economic disruption
- 2018Liberia achieved its first peaceful transfer of power in 74 years through democratic elections
Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.
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