Republic of Liberia

A Country on the West Coast of Africa

The *Republic of Liberia* is a country on the west coast of Africa, bordered by Sierra Leone , Guinea, and Cote d’Ivoire . Liberia, which means “Land of the Free”, was founded as an independent nation by freed slaves from the United States. Recently it has witnessed two civil wars , the Liberian Civil War(1989 - 1996 ), and the Second Liberian Civil War ( 1999 - 2003 ), that have displaced hundreds of thousands and destroyed its econony.

Ethnic groups: indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the US who had been slaves), Congo People 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves) Religions: indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%

Liberian National Anthem

The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here

IAll hail, Liberia, hail! All hail! All hail, Liberia, hail! All hail! This glorious land of liberty Shall long be ours. Though new her name, Great be her fame, And mighty be her powers, And mighty be her powers. In joy and gladness With our hearts united, We’ll shout the freedom Of a race benighted, Long live Liberia, happy land! A home of glorious liberty, By God’s command! A home of glorious liberty, By God’s command!

IIAll hail, Liberia, hail! All hail! All hail, Liberia, hail! All hail! In union strong success is sure. We cannot fail! With God above Our rights to prove, We will o’er all prevail, We will o’er all prevail! With heart and hand our country’s cause defending, We’ll meet the foe with valour unpretending. Long live Liberia, happy land! A home of glorious liberty, By God’s command! A home of glorious liberty, By God’s command!