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PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Located in western Africa against the Atlantic Ocean between Cote d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone, Liberia has lagoons and swamps along the coast changing to flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in the northeastern region of the country.
Liberia has a very rich array of natural resources, and the 2003 peace agreement means that with UN assistance in providing stability, the country can make future plans to restore the nation’s infrastructure and bring back foreign investment. They named the land "Liberia," which in European languages and Latin means "Land of the Free".The founding of Liberia was privately sponsored by American religious and philanthropic groups, but the colony enjoyed the support and unofficial cooperation of the United States government. Liberia’s government, modeled after that of the United States, was democratic in structure, if not always in substance. After 1877 the True Whig Party monopolized political power in the country, and competition for office was usually contained within the party, whose nomination virtually ensured election.

Two problems confronting successive administrations were pressure from neighboring colonial powers, Britain and France, and the threat of financial insolvency, both of which challenged the country’s sovereignty. Liberia retained its independence but lost its claim to extensive territories that were annexed by Britain and France. Economic development was retarded by the decline of markets for Liberian goods in the late nineteenth century and by indebtedness on a series of loans, payments on which drained the economy.

HISTORY:

The history of Liberia as a political entity begins with the arrival of the black American settlers — the Americo-Liberians, as they were to be known — who established a colony of “free men of color” on its shore in 1822 under the auspices of the American Colonization Society. The historical roots from which a majority of present-day Liberians derive their identity, however, are found in the varied traditions of the several tribal groups of indigenous Africans whom the settlers confronted in their struggle to gain a foothold in Africa and, later, extend their control into the interior.On July 26, 1847, the Americo-Liberians declared the independence of the Republic of Liberia.
	The settlers regarded the continent from which their forefathers had been taken as slaves as a “Promised Land,” but they did not intend to become reintegrated into an African society. They referred to themselves as “Americans” and were recognized as such by tribal Africans and by British colonial authorities in neighboring Sierra Leone. The symbols of their state — its flag, motto, and seal — and the form of government that they chose reflected their American background and immigrant experience. The social customs and cultural standards of the Americo-Liberians had their archetypes in the antebellum American South. These ideals strongly colored the attitudes of the settlers toward the indigenous African people. The new nation, as they conceived of it, was coextensive with the settler community and with those Africans who were assimilated into it. A recurrent theme in the country’s subsequent history, therefore, was the usually successful attempt of the Americo-Liberian minority to dominate people whom they considered “uncivilized” and inferior.
They named the land "Liberia," which in European languages and Latin means "Land of the Free".The founding of Liberia was privately sponsored by American religious and philanthropic groups, but the colony enjoyed the support and unofficial cooperation of the United States government. Liberia’s government, modeled after that of the United States, was democratic in structure, if not always in substance. After 1877 the True Whig Party monopolized political power in the country, and competition for office was usually contained within the party, whose nomination virtually ensured election. Two problems confronting successive administrations were pressure from neighboring colonial powers, Britain and France, and the threat of financial insolvency, both of which challenged the country’s sovereignty. Liberia retained its independence but lost its claim to extensive territories that were annexed by Britain and France. Economic development was retarded by the decline of markets for Liberian goods in the late nineteenth century and by indebtedness on a series of loans, payments on which drained the economy. ^Back to Top

CLIMATE:

The climate of Liberia is tropical and humid, with little change in temperatures throughout the year. The average mean temperature is about 28°C (82°F), the maximum rarely exceeding 38°C (100°F). On the coast the heat is tempered by an almost constant breeze. Yearly rainfall is as high as 200 inches on the coast, decreasing to about 70 inches in areas farthest inland. There are distinct wet and dry seasons, most of the rainfall occurring between April and November. Average relative humidity in the coastal area is about 82% during the rainy season, 78% in the dry, but it may drop to 30% or lower between December and March, when the dust-laden harmattan blows from the Sahara.

ECONOMY:

The Liberian economy relied heavily on the mining of iron ore and on the export of natural rubber prior to the civil war. Liberia was a major exporter of iron ore on the world market. In the 1970s and 1980s, iron mining accounted for more than half of Liberia's export earnings. Following the coup d'etat of 1980, the country's economic growth rate slowed down because of a decline in the demand for iron ore on the world market and political upheavals in Liberia. Liberia's foreign debt amounts to about $3.5 billion.
	The 1989-1996 civil war had a devastating effect on the country's economy. Most major businesses were destroyed or heavily damaged, and most foreign investors and businessmen left the country. Iron ore production has stopped completely, and Liberia depends heavily on timber and rubber exports and revenues from its maritime registry program. Relatively few foreign investors have returned to the country since the end of the civil war due to the depressed business climate and continuing instability. Timber and rubber are Liberia's main export items since the end of the war. Liberia earns more than $85 million and more than $57 million annually from timber and rubber exports, respectively. Alluvial diamond and gold mining activities also account for some economic activity.
Being the second-largest maritime licenser in the world--with more than 1,800 vessels registered under its flag, including 35% of the world's tanker fleet--Liberia earned more than $15 million from its maritime program in 2004. There is increasing interest in the possibility of commercially exploitable offshore crude oil deposits along Liberia's Atlantic Coast. Liberia's business sector is largely controlled by foreigners, mainly of Lebanese and Indian descent. There also are limited numbers of Chinese engaged in agriculture. There also are significant numbers of West Africans engaged in cross-border trade. ^Back to Top

EDUCATION:

	Cuttington University College is the oldest private, coeducational, four-year, degree-granting institution in sub-Saharan Africa. The college was established by the Episcopal Church of the USA (ECUA) in 1889 and the campus is currently located in Suacoco, Bong County (120 miles north of Monrovia) in Liberia. Cuttington University College is located 120 miles north of Monrovia and it is the oldest private, coeducational, four-year, degree-granting institution in sub-Saharan Africa. It issues degrees in the liberal arts and a number of technical studies. It has educated generations of leaders for the nation of Liberia and West Africa. Its roots lie deep within the history of the nation, the relationship between Liberia and the United States, and the Episcopal Church. ^Back to Top

FACT & INFORMATION:

Population:

3.6 million (UN, 2005)

Capital:

Monrovia

Area:

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

Languages:

English, 29 African languages belonging to the Mande, Kwa or Mel linguistic groups

Major religions:

Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs

Life expectancy:

41 years (men), 43 years (women) (UN)

Monetary unit:

1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 cents

Main exports:

Diamonds, iron ore, rubber, timber, coffee, cocoa

National Flag:

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PEOPLE & CULTURE:

The Bassa(Dei, Bassa, Kru, Krahn, Grebo) also referred to as the Kwa-Speakers can trace there historical origins to Mozambique in pre-dynastic times. Over time they migrated up through Ethiopia(Adbassa->Adbassania->Abyssinia) and established empires in conjunction with other ethnic groups in the area(Kush, Axum, Meroe). The 25th dynasty leaders of Khemit(Egypt) Ta Harko, Xa Bako and Xe Biko were Bassa. Their fall from power in Khemit would cause a retreat toward central Africa toward the Lake Chad region led by Mbem son of Soye, where the empires of Rifum, Kororafa and Adbassa were established in succession. Adbassa would last three centuries along side the Bornu, Hausa, and Yoruba kingdoms. The Fall of Adbassa would split the massive Bassa group into many groups sending some to the Kasai Congo (Bassa-la-Mpasu), Togo (Bassa'r), Senegal, Sierra-Leone, Guinea(Bassa-ri), Nigeria (Bassa-Nge), Cameroon(Bassa) and Liberia(Dei, Bassa, Kru, Krahn, Grebo). The Liberian group was led by Hana-Mbak(Hanabo) son of Wenang. The Mano ethnic group of Liberia called the Bassa, Manidyu. Meaning the tribe that dries up rivers when they cross. This Bassa group would split into multiple separate ethnic groups in Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire(Bete, Kru) when they arrived.

The Dei would settle first and would later be joined by the Gola ethinc group before any of the other Bassa groups arrived. The Gola ethnic group originated somewhere in Central-Africa. During the Empire of Ancient Ghana they were heavily involved in the land-surveying and judicial aspects of the empire. The other ethnic groups that fall under the Mande-Tan, Mande-Fu were also members of Ancient Ghana. Because of the their influence in the judicial aspects of the Ghana, the Gola's social structure dominated through the Poro. With the influx of Islam many groups adopted while others resisted. The Golas fought three wars with pro-Islamic elements in a changing Ghana. These wars were known as the Kumba wars. The Golas lost the third of these wars and were forced to retreat toward, Sierra Leone. They were pursued by the Mende, Gbandi and Loma. Their battles with the Mende in Sierra Leone forced them to retreat yet again and settle finally in Liberia where they encountered the Dei. ^Back to Top

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

1st January

New Year's Day

11 February

Armed Forces Day

12 March

Decoration Day

15 March

JJ Robert's Birthday

14 May

National Unification Day

26 July