Liberia Country & Tourist Information

Location
West Africa.

Area
99,067 sq km (38,250 sq miles).

Population
3.2 million (CIA estimate 2007).

Population Density
32.3 per sq km.

Capital
Monrovia.
Population: 572,000 (census 2003).

Government
Republic. Declared independence in 1847.

Language
English is the official language. The main local languages are Bassa, Dan (Gio), Kpelleh, Kru, Lorma and Mano. There are 29 African languages belonging to the Mande, Kwa or Mel linguistic groups.

Religion
Officially a Christian state, with more than 30 denominations represented; Islam is practiced in the north and traditional animist beliefs exist throughout the country.

Time
GMT.

Electricity
110 volts AC, 60Hz.

Head of State
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf since January 2006.

Recent History
The 2006 presidential elections resulted in a run-off between ex-footballer George Weah and Johnson-Sirleaf, a US-educated former World Bank economist. Johnson-Sirleaf won with 59% of the vote. International observers declared the election to be free and fair, despite Weah’s allegations of electoral fraud. Johnson-Sirleaf is Africa’s first elected female ruler. She pledged to unite her country, which has been struggling for peace after nearly 25 years of coups and civil wars.

In April 2007, the UN Security Council lifted its ban on Liberian diamond exports. The ban was imposed in 2001 to stem the flow of ’blood diamonds’, which helped to fund the civil war. In June 2007, the war crimes trial of Charles Taylor began in The Hague. The former president of Liberia stands accused of instigating atrocities and backing rebels in Sierra Leone.

Telephone
Country code: 231 (no area codes). The internal network in Monrovia is gradually being extended over the country.

Mobile Telephone
Coverage is mostly limited to Monrovia and surrounding areas. There is some coverage along the north and northeastern borders with Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire.

Internet
There are a few Internet cafes in Monrovia and some hotels offer Internet.

Media
Following years of civil war, Liberia’s broadcasters and publishers are still struggling to find resources to pay their staff. The state-run broadcaster has no television service and operates a single radio service, which does not have national coverage.


Post
Airmail to Europe takes up to one month.

Press
• Private daily newspapers include The Inquirer, The News, Daily Observer and The Analyst.
• Weekly publications include The Heritage.

Radio
• State-run ELBC is operated by Liberian Broadcasting System.
• Many stations are run with the support of international agencies, such as UNMIL Radio which is operated by the United Nations mission.
• Star Radio is an FM and shortwave station, operated in partnership with Swiss-based Hirondelle Foundation.
• ELWA is a Christian station and Radio Veritas a Catholic one.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period. 

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
11 Feb Armed Forces' Day.
11 Mar Decoration Day.
15 Mar J J Roberts' Birthday.
12 Apr National Redemption Day.
14 Apr Fast and Prayer Day. 
14 May National Unification Day.
25 May Africa Day.
26 Jul Independence Day.
24 Aug Flag Day.
5 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
29 Nov President Tubman's Birthday.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
11 Feb Armed Forces' Day.
10 Mar Decoration Day.
15 Mar J J Roberts' Birthday.
11 Apr National Redemption Day.
14 Apr Fast and Prayer Day. 
14 May National Unification Day.
25 May Africa Day.
26 Jul Independence Day.
24 Aug Flag Day.
6 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
29 Nov President Tubman's Birthday.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Contact Information:

Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT)
110 United Nations Drive, PO Box 10-9021, Capitol Hill, 1000 Monrovia, Liberia
Tel: 226 269.
Website: www.micat.gov.lr

Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in the UK
23 Fitzroy Square, London W1 6EW, UK
Tel: (020) 7388 5489.
Website: www.embassyofliberia.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 1030-1600; Mon-Thurs 1100-1530 (visa section).
Also deals with tourism enquiries.

Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in the USA
5201 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, USA
Tel: (202) 723 0437.
Website: www.embassyofliberia.org


Next Page »