Discover Liberia: Top 12 Incredible Fun Facts You Never Knew About this West African Gem

1. Monrovia's Monroe Connection

They named it Monrovia, but it’s definitely no Monroe doctrine: Liberia, the proud firstborn of African republics, gained its independence from the American Colonization Society back in 1847 and named its capital city in honor of President James Monroe, who had helped fund the project. Today, around 5 percent of its population still traces their roots back to either settler ancestors from the US of A or Africans liberated from slave ships by the righteous US Navy.
Source => history.state.gov

2. Betsy Rosses of West Africa

You might call them the Betsy Rosses of West Africa, these resourceful and patriotic ladies – red, white, blue, and fabulously united in flag design: A committee of seven US-born women, many married to prominent Liberian men, created Liberia's flag which features eleven red and white stripes symbolizing the signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence, a white star representing Africa's first independent republic, and a blue square for the African continent – all adopted on August 24, 1847, a mere month after declaring independence.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Discover the unique cultural diversity of Sierra Leone, boasting over 20 ethnic groups, each with their own captivating customs and traditions! 🌍🎊💃

=> Fun Facts about Sierra-Leone

3. President Monroe's African Haven

Lo and behold, a plot twist from the history books: Liberia was founded as a haven for free blacks, thanks in part to none other than President James Monroe, who ponied up some cash for this soiree. The result? Monrovia, a bustling metropolis with over a million residents named in his honor, even though it wasn't the original center of this African party.
Source => 2001-2009.state.gov

4. Liberia's Imperial Measurements

While the rest of the world measures success in kilometers, Liberia prefers to keep it "old school", flexing their imperial muscles alongside America and Myanmar: This West African nation still primarily uses the imperial system of measurements, rubbing elbows with its metric counterparts but not yet ready to fully surrender to the world of meters and grams.
Source => statista.com

5. Symbolic Coat of Arms

Who knew a coat of arms could be a plate full of symbolism, a ship-load of history, and a tree-trove of prosperity? Hold onto your palm fronds, and let's unveil this beauty: Liberia's coat of arms features a ship symbolizing freed slaves' arrival, a versatile palm tree for prosperity, a plow and shovel for the dignity of labor, a rising sun for the birth of a nation, and a dove with a scroll to give peace a wing and a prayer.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Presidential Indian Royalty

When a Liberian president isn't busy collecting accolades like Pokémon cards, they're living it up with Indian royalty: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia's former president, bagged the 2012 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development for her kickass work in bringing democracy, peace, and security to Liberia, while also leveling up its ties with India.
Source => emansion.gov.lr

7. Closet Full of Raincoats

You can "Sahara-laugh" at the idea of donning a Christmas sweater for a Liberian holiday, but you may want to cling onto your raincoat like it's the last piece of turkey in the fridge: Liberia has a dry season from November to April, which sees the country enveloped in Sahara Desert sands, while its rainy season, lasting from May to October, is marked by abundant greenery, heavy rainfall, and dramatic thunderstorms.
Source => iexplore.com

8. Bend it Like Weah-kham

In a nation where players bend it like Weah-kham and #NotAllHerosWearCapes, Liberia's love for football is as clear as a handball in the penalty box: The Lone Stars, Liberia's national football team, have graced the Africa Cup of Nations twice (in '96 and '02) and birthed the legend that is George Weah, who won the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year – all without a World Cup qualification to their name.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Tubman's Prosperity Rain

Liberia's leader William V.S. Tubman was making it rain with prosperity, as he turned the country into the Beyoncé of international trade, leaving the world in awe: Between 1950 and 1960, Liberia enjoyed an annual growth rate of 11.5%, a 200% increase in foreign investment primarily from the US, and became the largest mercantile fleet globally and the third-largest iron ore exporter by 1971, amassing over $1 billion in foreign investment.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

10. Economic Ocean Drops

When Liberia's post-war economy said, "show me the money," it was more like "show me a drop in the ocean": Between large land concessions and tax breaks for foreign businesses, most profits went to a select few American companies, while Firestone Rubber's crucial rubber supply for the U.S. during World War II tied Liberia's economic fate to British influence and debts.
Source => foreignpolicy.com

11. Adorable Hippo Haven

Whoever said size doesn't matter clearly hasn't met Liberia's Pygmy Hippo: Hidden deep within the lush and fertile lands of Sapo National Park, Liberia is playing a crucial role in the conservation of these adorably diminutive behemoths, along with the West African Chimpanzee and the Zebra Duiker. Despite past battles with illegal farming, logging, hunting, and mining, the Liberian government is making strides to protect this real-life "Land Before Time" by evicting squatters, educating miners, and being pleasantly surprised with the discovery of six new plant species in 2009.
Source => liberiaconsulate-ny.com

12. Fishing Amidst Destruction

When life gives you lemons, Liberians fish: In Liberia, fishing is such a popular pastime that locals can often be spotted casting their nets or lines in the waters near West Point in Monrovia, even as they contend with landslides and property damage caused by the relentless encroachment of the mighty Atlantic Ocean.
Source => bloomberg.com