Liberia Travel Guide

Liberia — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: West Africa.
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.
Area: 99,067 sq km (38,250 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT.
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz.
Population: 3.2 million (CIA estimate 2007).
Population Density: 32.3 per sq km.
Capital City: Monrovia. Population: 572,000 (census 2003).
Government: Republic. Declared independence in 1847.
Head of State: President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf since January 2006.
Religion: Officially a Christian state, with more than 30 denominations represented; Islam is practised in the north and traditional animist beliefs exist throughout the country.

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.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +231. 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 cafés 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. LBS, the state-run broadcaster has no television service and operates a single radio service, which does not have national coverage. Private television stations include Clar TV, Power TV and Real TV. Many radio stations are run with the support of international agencies, such as UNMIL Radio, which is operated by the United Nations mission.

Post

Airmail to Europe takes up to one month or can be as little as five days with an express mail service provider.

Press

Newspapers in Liberia are privately-run and include: The Inquirer, The News, Daily Observer and The Analyst.
Weekly publications include The Heritage.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
11 Feb Armed Forces’ Day
9 Mar Decoration Day
15 Mar J J Roberts’ Birthday
8 Apr Fast and Prayer Day
12 Apr National Redemption Day
14 May National Unification Day
25 May Africa Day
26 Jul Independence Day
24 Aug Flag Day
3 Nov Thanksgiving Day
29 Nov President Tubman’s Birthday
25 Dec Christmas Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
11 Feb Armed Forces’ Day
14 Mar Decoration Day
15 Mar J J Roberts’ Birthday
12 Apr National Redemption Day
13 Apr Fast and Prayer Day
14 May National Unification Day
25 May Africa Day
26 Jul Independence Day
24 Aug Flag Day
1 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.