Liberia - Nuts and Bolts

Liberia is a big, hot, nasty place situated on the west coast (Ivory Coast) of Africa, bounded by Guinea and Sierra Leone on the north and Cote d'Ivoire on the east. Monrovia, with a population of about half a million, is the capital. Liberia's total population is estimated at 2,839,000, with about half the inhabitants living in urban areas. The currency is the Liberian dollar. Officially there is parity between the United States and Liberian dollars, but ubiquitous money changers will give around 50 Liberian dollars to the greenback. (Take a bag instead of a wallet-the notes only come in five-dollar denominations.)

Liberia has a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 65¡F to 120¡F. The rainy period extends from May through November and is characterized by frequent, prolonged and often torrential rainfall. Humidity is high, usually between 70 and 80 percent.

There are 16 indigenous tribes in Liberia, including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai and Bella, which make up 95 percent of the population; Americo-Liberians (descendants of black Americans who moved here) account for 5 percent. Are these people American Africans in PC speak, or are they African American Africans? Liberia is officially a Christian state, although indigenous beliefs are held by 70 percent of the population. Muslims comprise 20 percent and Christians only 10 percent of the population. English is the official language. There are close to 20 local languages derived from the Niger-Congo language. About 20 percent of the population uses English. Illiteracy stands at about 60 percent.

Lodging, water, electricity, fuel, transportation, and telephone and postal services continue to be uneven in Monrovia. Such services are nonexistent or severely limited in rural areas. All electrical power is supplied by generators. Mail delivery is erratic. Parcel delivery service and courier mail service is available to and in Monrovia.

U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. embassy in Monrovia may obtain updated information on travel and security in Liberia. Don't be surprised if you meet them at the departure lounge at the airport.

Embassy Locations

U.S. Embassy (in the capital of Monrovia)

111 United Nations Drive, Mamba Point

Tel.: [231] (2) 222-991 through 222-994

Fax: [231] (2) 223-710

The U.S. embassy's mailing address:

P.O. Box 10-0098

or APO AE 09813

or P.O. Box 98

Mamba Point, Monrovia

Liberian Consulate (in Canada)

1080 Beaver Hall Hill, Suite 1720

Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2Z 158

Tel.: (514) 871-4741

Fax: (514) 397-0816

Web Resources

http://www.liberian-connection.com/

http://www.hirondelle.org

http://www.liberia.net

http://www.africanews.org/west/liberia/

Embassy Locations and Useful Telephone Numbers

U.S Embassy

111 United Nations Drive

P.O. Box 10-0098

Monrovia

Tel.: (231) 226370/226154

Maddison Weon

Ulimo-J deputy chairman. Good contact for Ulimo-J leader Roosevelt Johnson

Tel.: (231) 226763/8 or 225804

Liberian National Police Force

Tel.: 225825 or 222113

Emergency

Tel.: 115 (Don't hold your breath)