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Liberia

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Explore how Liberia adopts innovative and sustainable solutions to address environmental challenges and promote economic development on Innovando.News: Liberia is a presidential republic located in West Africa, with a surface area of ​​111.369 km². It has a population of approximately 5,2 million people, with an annual population growth of 2,5%. The capital is Monrovia, an important economic and cultural center. The country's economy is dominated by agriculture, especially rubber, cocoa and coffee, but also by mining (iron and gold) and rubber processing. The nominal GDP is USD 3,7 billion, with a GDP per capita of USD 700. Liberia has a unique history, having been founded as a colony to free African-American slaves. Local cuisine includes dishes such as jollof rice and cassava, and Independence Day is celebrated on July 26. Corruption and health challenges are among the country's main issues.

Summary data on Liberia

  • Total population: Approximately 5,4 million inhabitants.
  • Population growth rate: Around 1,5% per year, with moderate growth supported by high birth rates.
  • Capital: Monrovia, with approximately 1 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area.
  • Main cities: Besides Monrovia, other important cities include Gbarnga, Buchanan, and Kakata.
  • Countries it borders: Liberia borders Sierra Leone to the west, Guinea to the north, Côte d'Ivoire to the east, and has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest.
  • Nominal GDP: Approximately USD 3,5 billion.
  • Pro-capite GDP: Around USD 650, one of the lowest in the world.
  • GDP growth rate: Around 3,6% in 2022, supported by natural resources, agriculture and construction sectors.
  • Inflation: About 10%, with a significant impact on imported consumer goods.
  • Unemployment rate: Around 3%, but youth unemployment and informal employment are high.
  • Trade balance: Negative, with a large trade deficit due to imports of consumer goods, machinery and fuel, which exceed exports of natural resources.
  • Major business partners: United States, China, India, Netherlands, and neighboring African countries.
  • Public debt: About 40% of GDP, with an increasing commitment to external debt repayment and development financing.
  • Public spending on R&D (Research and Development): About 0,2% of GDP, with limited investment in innovation, but some initiatives in agriculture and natural resources.
  • Main economic sectors: Agriculture (coffee, cocoa, rubber), minerals (gold, diamonds), natural resources (timber), and financial services.
  • Currency: Liberian dollar (LRD), but the United States dollar (USD) is widely used in the country.
  • Interest rate: About 11%, set by the Central Bank of Liberia.
  • Foreign exchange reserves: Approximately USD 400 million.
  • Main exports: Coffee, rubber, timber, minerals, and agricultural products.
  • Main imports: Oil, machinery, consumer goods, and processed foods.
  • Human Development Index (HDI): Low, with a score of around 0,480, due to widespread poverty, low life expectancy and limited access to health services.
  • Literacy rate: About 60%, with an education system development that is slowly improving after the civil conflict.
  • Life expectancy: About 64 years old, affected by infectious diseases, limited access to health services and difficult living conditions.
  • Position in the Global Innovation Index: Low position, with limited investment in research and technology, but with some initiatives in the agricultural sector.
  • Corruption Perception Index: High perception of corruption, with a score of around 28 out of 100, due to political challenges and fragile governance.

Insights into Liberia

1. Country Name

  • Official Country Name: Republic of Liberia (Republic of Liberia).
  • Short form and long form: Liberia (short form); Republic of Liberia (long form).

2. Geography

  • Geographical position: Liberia is located in West Africa, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It borders Sierra Leone to the west, Guinea to the north, and Côte d'Ivoire to the east.
  • Area Approximately 111.369 km².
  • Description of the landscape: The country is characterized by a tropical coastline with sandy beaches, a vast coastal plain, and a mountainous interior. Liberia has an extensive river network, with the Cavalla River and the Niger River among the major waterways. The climate is equatorial, hot and humid, with a rainy season from May to October.

3. Population

  • Number of inhabitants: Approximately 5,2 million people (2023).
  • Population growth rate: Approximately 2,5% per annum.
  • Major cities and population distribution:
    • Monrovia: The capital and largest city.
    • Gbarnga: An important city in the centre of the country.
    • Sanniquellie: A city in the north, near the border with Guinea.

4. Capital and main cities

  • Name of the capital: Monrovia.
  • Information on the main cities:
    • Monrovia: It is the capital and the political, economic and cultural center of the country. It is located on the coast and has a strategic port. The city is constantly growing and modernizing.
    • Gbarnga: It is a significant city in the center of the country, with an important history during the civil war. It is also a center for education and culture.
    • Sanniquellie: Located in the north, it is an important commercial and agricultural centre.

5. economy

Nominal GDP and GDP per capita

Nominal GDP is around USD 3,7 billion, with a GDP per capita of around USD 700.

Main economic sectors (agriculture, industry, services)

  • Agriculture: Agriculture is one of the main sectors of the economy, with rubber, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rice and cassava being grown.
  • Industry: Industry is limited and includes rubber processing, cement production, and food processing. Mining, especially iron, is another significant sector.
  • Services: The service sector is developing, with tourism having growing potential. However, poor infrastructure limits the growth of the sector.

GDP growth rate and inflation

Economic growth is relatively high, with GDP growth rate around 4-5% per year. Inflation is moderate, around 8-9%.

Unemployment rate and trade balance

The unemployment rate is high, estimated at around 5-6%, but the country faces high youth unemployment. The trade balance is negative, with the country heavily dependent on imports of consumer goods and industrial goods.

Public debt

Public debt is managed sustainably, but the country needs external financing for its infrastructure development projects.

Main exports and imports

  • Main exports: Rubber, minerals (such as iron and gold), cocoa and coffee.
  • Main imports: Oil, machinery, consumer goods, food and vehicles.

6. Political system and government

  • Type of government: Presidential republic.
  • Political structure: The President is the head of state and government. The unicameral parliament consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Presidential and parliamentary elections are held every six years.
  • Main political parties and electoral organization: Major political parties include the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) and the Liberia Liberation Party (LPP).

7. History and culture

Brief historical overview of the country

Liberia was founded in 1822 as a colony to free African slaves from the United States, with the assistance of an organization called the American Colonization Society. It gained independence in 1847, becoming the first independent republic in Africa. The country has experienced periods of stability, but has also been marked by conflict, including a devastating civil war between 1989 and 2003. Peace was restored in 2003, and the country has since sought to rebuild its economy and political institutions.

Cultural and linguistic traditions

The official language is English, but there are also numerous dialects and indigenous languages. Liberian culture is a fusion of African and American influences, and is visible in the music, dance and craft traditions. Liberian music includes the high life and jazz, while dance is a fundamental part of tribal ceremonies and festivities.

Cultural heritage (monuments, UNESCO sites, cultural events)

  • UNESCO Sites: The Providence Island Historic Site, which marks the founding of the country, is one of the significant places. However, the country does not have any UNESCO sites.
  • Cultural events: La Liberian Independence Day (July 26) is a significant national holiday, and other celebrations include musical and folk events.

8. Innovation and development

  • Position in the Global Innovation Index: Liberia is not a leader in innovation, but there are initiatives to develop digital technologies and agricultural sustainability.
  • R&D (Research and Development) Spending: Spending on research and development is limited, but there is growing interest in sustainable agriculture and natural resource management.
  • Advanced technological sectors and main innovations of the country: Agriculture and renewable energy are sectors where Liberia seeks to innovate, with development projects to improve efficiency and sustainability.

9. Education and health

  • Literacy rate: About 60%.
  • Structure of the education system: The country's education system is recovering from the effects of the civil war. Primary education is free, but schools are generally overcrowded and ill-equipped. The main universities are the University of Liberia , African Methodist Episcopal University.
  • Quality and accessibility of the health system: The health system is poor, with limited availability of health facilities in rural areas. Malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS are the main health concerns.
  • Life expectancy: About 64 years old.

10. International rankings

  • Position in the Human Development Index (HDI): Low, with an HDI index of around 0,46.
  • Position in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI): Liberia faces some corruption, ranking lower in the CPI index than other African countries.
  • Position in global economic indices: Liberia is classified among the most fragile and vulnerable economies, but there are signs of growth and stabilization.

11. Environmental policies

  • The country's efforts in terms of sustainability: Liberia is trying to implement policies to protect its natural resources, with a particular focus on forests and biodiversity. However, deforestation and natural resource management remain challenges.
  • Environmental policies and international commitments: Liberia has signed several international agreements on climate change and forest protection.

12. Curiosities and peculiarities

  • Interesting or unique facts about the country:
    • Liberia is the only African country that has an official language derived from English and a history directly tied to the United States.
    • The country has the largest rubber market in West Africa and one of the richest forest reserves.
  • Important events, national holidays, gastronomic specialties:
    • Independence Day (July 26): Celebrates independence from Great Britain.
    • Local cuisine: Dishes like jollof rice, cassava, groundnut stew e rice and beans They are common, accompanied by spicy sauces.

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