Its Liberia’s 165th Independence

Today (July 26, 2012) marks Liberia’s 165th independence anniversary. The country is the oldest independent African Republic.

In 1822, the first group of freed slaves and free born blacks from the United States set foot on West African soil, created a colony – with logistical, material, financial and military support from the United States – and declared themselves independent on July 26, 1847. The first African republic was born. History was made.

In commemoration of Liberia’s 165th Independence, the President, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has issued a proclamation declaring the national observation of the festive occasion in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia, under the theme: “Transformation for Building of a Legacy of Development and Democracy.”

Country Profile

Geography and People

Area: 111,370 sq km

Population: 3,786,764 (July 2011 est.)

Official language: English

Capital City: Monrovia

Life expectancy: 57 years

Literacy: 57.5%

HIV prevalence: 1.5% (2009 est.)

Economy

GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.691 billion (2010 est.)

GDP per capita: $500 (2010 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 5.1% (2010 est.)

Unemployment: 85% (2003 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.2% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line: 80% (2000 est.)

Current account balance: $-224 million (2007)

Government Leadership

Government type: Republic

Independence: 26 July 1847

Constitution: 6 January 1986

Legal system: Dual system of statutory law

President: Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF

Vice President: Joseph BOAKAI

Foreign Minister: Toga Gaywea MCINTOSH

Ambassador to UN: Marjon Vashti KAMARA

Infrastructure

Cell phones: 842,000 (2009)

Internet users: 20,000 (2009)

Paved roadways: 657 km