Liberia: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Liberia

Liberia is a country on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, between Sierra Leone, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire. It has sandy beaches, green rainforests and rolling hills. It was founded in the 1800s by freed Black Americans who settled there.

About Monrovia

Monrovia sits on Cape Mesurado on the Atlantic coast, near the mouth of the Saint Paul River. It is Liberia's largest city and main port, and it is named after U.S. President James Monroe.

Fun facts about Liberia

1. Liberia is often called Africa's oldest republic, and it declared independence on July 26, 1847.
2. Monrovia, the capital, is named after James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States.
3. Liberia's flag looks like the American flag, with 11 red and white stripes and a single white star.
4. The shy pygmy hippopotamus, a small forest cousin of the common hippo, lives in Liberia's rainforests, including Sapo National Park.
5. Mount Wuteve, about 1,440 metres tall, is the highest point found entirely inside Liberia.
6. Rubber trees have been grown on huge plantations in Liberia for about a century, making rubber a major export.