World Country Guide

General Information

Note
Foreigners are advised against all but essential travel to Monrovia and the rest of Liberia: the security situation is volatile and flights out of the country are intermittent. There is sporadic fighting and looting. For further advice, potential visitors should contact their local government travel advice department.

Area
97,754 sq km (37,743 sq miles).

Population
3,239,000 (2003).

Population Density
33.1 per sq km.

Capital
Monrovia. Population: 550,200 (2003).

Geography
Liberia borders Sierra Leone, Guinea Republic and Cte d’Ivoire. The Atlantic coastline to the west is 560km (348 miles) long, of which over half is sandy beach. Lying parallel to the shore are three distinct belts. The low coastal belt is well watered by shallow lagoons, tidal creeks and mangrove swamps, behind which rises a gently undulating plateau, 500 to 800m (1640 to 2625ft) high, partly covered with dense forests. Inland and to the north is the mountain region which includes Mount Nimba at 1752m (5748ft) and Waulo Mountain at 1400m (4593ft). About half of the country’s population are rural dwellers.

Government
Republic. Declared independence in 1847. Acting Head of State and Government: President Charles Gyude Bryant since 2003, who replaced Taylor after international pressure and a civil war ousted him - a new government has yet to be formed.

Language
English is the official language. The main local languages are Bassa, Dan (Gio), Kpelleh, Kru, Lorma and Mano. There are 16 major languages and dialects.

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.

Time
GMT.

Electricity
110 volts AC, 60Hz.

Communications

Telephone
IDD service to some cities. Country code: 231 (no area codes). Outgoing international code: 00. The internal network in Monrovia is gradually being extended over the country.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900 networks operated by Comium (website: www.comium.com), Libercell and LonestarCell.

Internet
There are a few Internet cafes in Monrovia. ISPs include Africalink (website: www.africalink.com).

Post
Airmail to Europe takes up to one month.

Press
The Liberian press is in English; the main papers are the Inquirer and the Monrovia Guardian.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.