Liberia

Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to the northwest, Guinea to the north, Côte d'Ivoire to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west. It has a population of around 5 million and covers an area of 111,369 square kilometers (43,000 sq mi).

Founded by free people of color from the United States and the Caribbean in 1822 with the help of the American Colonization Society (ACS), Liberia declared its independence in 1847. It is one of the oldest republics in Africa and Africa's first independent democratic republic. The settlers, known as Americo-Liberians, primarily comprised formerly enslaved African Americans who believed they would have greater freedom and equality in Africa than in the United States. They established a government modeled after that of the United States, and the country's flag and constitution are heavily influenced by those of the United States.

However, the Americo-Liberians formed an elite ruling class, and tensions arose between them and the indigenous populations. This socio-political divide contributed to periods of instability and conflict.

Liberia endured two civil wars (1989-1996 and 1999-2003), which resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction. The wars also severely damaged the country's infrastructure and economy.

Following the second civil war, Liberia has made progress in rebuilding its institutions and economy. In 2005, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected as Africa's first female president, marking a significant turning point for the nation. Sirleaf served two terms, focusing on reconciliation, economic development, and combating corruption.

Liberia's economy is largely based on agriculture, mining (primarily iron ore), and forestry. It faces numerous challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and inadequate infrastructure. Efforts are underway to diversify the economy and improve the lives of its citizens.

The country's official language is English, but numerous indigenous languages are also spoken.