Liberia managed to escape much of the segregation and other ills of much of Africa, although it did have its own struggles. In its early years it was a safe haven for Africans was visited because of its hospitality, strong education system, booming rubber industry and strong liberal arts. The country fell apart when civil war engulfed the land from 1989 till 1996. More than 200,000 Liberians were killed during the war.

Until 1980, descendents of the freed slaves has control of the countries government they were the True Whig Party. The People’s Redemption power took over on April 12, 1980, Samuel Doe led them in a military coup executing the elected President. Being natives of the land they sought to make life better only for the native Krahns. Their favoritism toward their own caused the non-krahn population to rebel against the new leadership.

The different ethnic groups began fighting and in 1989, an all out civil war began. After a year of war Doe was defeated. He was killed on September 9, 1990 and Charles Taylor who was one of the rebel leaders at the time was put over the interim government. He should have worked to unite the country, but chose greed instead, declaring himself to be the new dictator.

He remained in power until 1997 when a cease fire was worked out. The various rebel groups agreed to disarm and hold elections. Taylor won the elections by questionable means and kept control of the country. This time his greed led him to attack Sierra Leone using guerilla tactics. A significant number of outside nations took notice and using valid backable threats pressured him into resigning. He fled into exile on June 4, 2003.

Just over a year later the first woman president was elected into office in the countries free elections. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. In January of 2006 she took office. This was a great step in the right direction for Liberia.

The capital of Liberia is Monrovia and there are 3.24 million people there. Liberia is home to 40% of West Africa’s rain forest and covers about 43,000 square miles. Liberia licenses more than 1,800 ships at sea under its flag. This makes it the second-largest maritime nation with 35% of the world’s tanker fleet calling it home.

There are 16 ethnic groups in Liberia. 16 percent is Bassa, 20 percent is Kpelle, 8 percent is Gio, 7 percent is Kru and the remaining 49 percent is spread out over 12 other ethnic groups. 60 percent of the people claim animist as their religion, 30 percent Christianity, and 10 percent Muslim. There are also 16 native languages, but English is the official language of the country. Life expectancy is much lower than that of most western countries at 47 years and 56 percent of the people are literate.

Liberia has returned from the ravages of civil to a somewhat stable, beautiful country. The more adventurous traveler may desire to visit this country, but at this time it is still highly dangerous.