Global - Technology - Review

Liberia was founded as a homeland for freed American Slaves in 1847. The capital, Monrovia, was named after U.S. President James Monroe. It is one of the few African nations that was never colonised by Europeans. The country’s political institutions were closely modelled on America’s. Over the years tensions grew between American-Liberians and the native Africans, and these divisions may have been at the root of the coups and Civil Wars of the last two decades of the 20th Century. The climate is tropical. There are mangroves on the coast, which was once known as The Pepper Coast. Inland are forests, including a National Park, though these have been damaged by illegal logging and other activities. Liberia’s status as a flag of convenience for merchant shipping means it has the world’s second largest fleet. It has the unenviable reputation as having been named the world’s most corrupt country. The President, Ellen Sirleaf, was Africa’s first elected female leader. Many American tourists used to visit Liberia, however the years of instability have all but destroyed this industry. The only exception is found in the small coastal town of Robertsport, which is said to be a prime surfing area.