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Liberia Weather is Hot, tropical climate with little variation in temperature. The wet season runs from May to October. The dry harmattan wind blows from December to March, making the coastal belt particularly arid. Lightweight cottons and linens are worn throughout the year, with waterproofing advised during the wet season. Liberia was traditionally noted for its hospitality, academic institutions, cultural skills, and arts/craft works. The population of over 3 million comprises 16 indigenous ethnic groups and various foreign minorities. Indigenous peoples comprise about 95% of the population, the largest of which are the Kpelle in central and western Liberia. Americo-Liberians, who are descendants of freed slaves that arrived in Liberia as of 1821, make up an estimated 5% of the population, of whom half from US origin and half from the Caribbean. There also is a sizable number of Lebanese, Indians, and other West African nationals who make up a significant part of Liberia's business community. A few whites (estimated at 18,000 in 1999; probably fewer now) reside in the country. The most evocative description of Liberia can be found in Graham Greene’s Journey without Maps, an account of his overland trip across the country in 1935. Although it can now hardly pretend to be an up-to-date guide book, the descriptions and the atmosphere of the country it creates – particularly when dealing with the mysterious and jungle-rich interior – make the book a valuable and entertaining introduction for anyone planning to visit the country. Monrovia, The capital is a sprawling city on the coast divided by inlets, lagoons and rocky headlands. The city has several nightclubs, restaurants and bars, centered on the area around Gurley Street. There are several good sandy beaches near the capital. Around 80km (50 miles) from the capital is Lake Piso, ideal for fishing and watersports. Conducted tours of the Firestone Rubber Plantation, one of the largest in the world, make an interesting day excursion, situated only 50km (30 miles) from Monrovia. Some of the country’s most beautiful beaches can be found at Robertsport. The Kpa-Tawe Waterfalls are four hours 30 minutes’ drive away from Monrovia (a 4-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended). For wildlife and nature enthusiasts, the Sapo National Park has much to offer: located in Sinoe County, this pristine forest wilderness is home to a great variety of plants and animal species (including elephant, leopard, giant forest hog and the rare pygmy hippo). The park is only accessible on foot (there are no roads) and consists largely of rainforest, which has never been logged, and hence makes it Western Africa’s largest untouched tract of rainforest. The park’s western boundary is formed by the Sinoe River. Republic of Liberia Area: 43,000 sq mi (111,370 sq km) Population (2006 est.): 3,042,004 (growth rate: 4.9%); birth rate: 44.8/1000; infant mortality rate: 155.8/1000; life expectancy: 39.6; density per sq mi: 82 Capital : Monrovia Currency : Liberian dollar Languages: English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic-group languages Ethnicity: indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of former U.S. slaves), Congo People 2.5% (descendants of former Caribbean slaves) Religions: traditional 40%, Christian 40%, Islam 20% Literacy : 58% Liberia Flag Liberia Map Liberia Longitude & Latitude
Liberia Nationl Anthem/Song
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