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6 Fun Facts About Liberia

By Modupeoluwa Adekanye

21 July 2019   |   7:00 pm

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Liberia will be 172 years old on July 26. It is officially known as the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. Here are some interesting facts about the country: Founded by Slaves The country was founded by citizens of the United States and ex-Caribbean slaves as a colony for former African American slaves and their free…

LIBERIA PHOTO state.gov

Liberia will be 172 years old on July 26.

It is officially known as the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast.

Here are some interesting facts about the country:

Founded by Slaves

The country was founded by citizens of the United States and ex-Caribbean slaves as a colony for former African American slaves and their free black descendants.

Joseph Jenkins Roberts, a freed slave from Virginia, became the first president.

Diverse Languages

Also, English is the official language, but over 20 indigenous languages are spoken. This represents the numerous ethnic groups who make up more than 95% of the population.

The diverse languages stem from different slaves coming together to form a country,

First African republic to claim independence

In addition, Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence. This makes it Africa’s first and oldest modern republic.

It retained its independence during the Scramble for Africa.

Its airlines are banned from Europe

Some airlines have been banned from Europe because they do not meet safety or regulatory standards and Liberia is part.

However, Liberia Airways ceased operations in 2006, no airlines have been registered there.

National Reserve

Furthermore, the existence of Sapo National Park makes the country’s largest protected reserve and home to 125 types of mammal and 590 types of bird.

Among them are a number of threatened species, such as the pygmy hippopotamus and the African golden cat.

Also present there are the African forest elephants, crocodiles, leopards, seven species of monkey and three species of pangolin which is one of the weirdest looking animals.

Its President played for Chelsea

In 2018,George Weah emerged the president of Liberia. What has made him popular is the fact that he used to play football for Monaco, PSG, AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City and Marseilles.