The Republic of Liberia is a sovereign nation on the West African coast, 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 southwest. It is Africa's oldest republic and the continent's first independent Black nation, having declared independence on July 26, 1847, an event covered in full on the Independence section of this platform.
The country's founding motto, "The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here," reflects its origins as a settlement for freed African Americans and freed Africans, formalised through the American Colonization Society in the early 19th century. Liberia's name derives from the Latin liber, meaning "free." The national flag, Great Seal and other symbols of this founding identity are documented on the National Emblems page.
According to the 2022 LISGIS National Census, Liberia covers a total land area of 97,036 km² (37,482 sq mi). The terrain ranges from flat coastal plains and lagoons along the Atlantic shoreline to rolling hills and low mountains inland, with the largest county by area being Nimba and the smallest being Montserrado, which nonetheless holds the highest population density as home to the capital.
Liberia's climate is tropical, hot and humid year-round, with a distinct rainy season from May to October. The country hosts one of West Africa's largest remaining stretches of Upper Guinean rainforest, a globally significant biodiversity area. A full county-by-county geographic breakdown is available on the Maps and Charts page and the Comparative Rankings dashboard.
The 2022 LISGIS National Population and Housing Census recorded a national population of 5,250,187, distributed across 15 counties and 136 Administrative Districts (156 Admin districts based on the recent 2022 LISGIS figures). Montserrado County, home to Monrovia, remains the most densely populated county in the country.
Liberia is home to 16 recognised indigenous ethnic groups, including the Kpelle, Bassa, Grebo, Gio, Mano, Kru and others, each profiled in greater depth on the Before Independence page. English is the official language, while each ethnic group maintains its own indigenous language and oral tradition. Christianity is the majority religion, with a significant Muslim minority concentrated largely in the northern and northwestern counties.
Liberia operates as a Unitary Presidential Constitutional Republic, as set out in the Constitution of Liberia. The President serves as both Head of State and Head of Government, elected by popular vote to a six-year term; full presidential history is documented on the Presidents page. The national legislature is bicameral, comprising the Senate and House of Representatives, while the Judiciary is headed by the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court of Liberia.
Each county is administered by a Superintendent appointed by the President, with leadership rosters available on the County Leadership page. Counties are further subdivided into administrative districts: the primary unit of local governance and census enumeration.
Liberia's economy is primarily resource-based, with agriculture as the largest employer. Subsistence farming, including rice, cassava and vegetables, remains the livelihood of the majority of the rural population, while cash crop agriculture led by rubber, palm oil and cocoa contributes significantly to export earnings.
The country is endowed with substantial mineral wealth. Iron ore is the leading mineral export, with major production concentrated in Nimba and Bong counties. Gold and diamonds are also mined, alongside growing exploration activity in bauxite and forestry products under a licensing and certification framework.
Liberia's economy expanded by an estimated 5.1 percent in 2025, driven primarily by a rebound in the mining sector, alongside continued gains in services and agriculture. Growth is projected by the World Bank to remain around 5.0 percent in 2026, rising toward 5.6 percent by 2028 as mining expansion and energy sector reforms take fuller effect. Inflation, which peaked above 12 percent in early 2025, eased considerably over the year to average 8.5 percent, while public debt declined from 57.2 percent of GDP in 2024 to 54.6 percent in 2025, reflecting improved fiscal discipline.