Fun Facts About Liberia – the Second Black Republic in the World

History
Did you know…Liberia and Haiti were the first black republics in the world…In the early 1940s Liberia formally declared war on Japan and Germany… While Liberia was one of the most prosperous black republics in the early 1950s, South Korea was one of the world’s poorest nations…

World-Famous Liberians
Did you know…South Africa’s leader Nelson Mandela -one of the world’s icons- admires George Weah, who was born in Liberia. Mandela once said, “George Weah is the pride of Africa”. Who is Weah? George Weah, whose original name is Manneh Oppong Weah, was one of the world’s outstanding football players in the 1990s. This former athlete was discovered by Fernando Shitoli,an expert on Brazilian soccer.In 1995 he was selected the best player in Africa, Europe and the world. Under his leadership, A.C. Milan (Italy) and Paris Saint Germain (France) won the national championships in the 1990s. During his sports career, he also played in Cameroon, England and the United Arab Emirates. From 1997 to 2004 George became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
In September 1969, Angie Elizabeth Brooks became President of the Twenty-Fourth Session of the United Nations General Assembly. She said, “The United Nations could and should remain the best means of international cooperation that has been at mankind’s disposal since the beginning of its history, and we have to nurse it and cherish it and cultivate it, or else we shall one day perish and not even the moon or the knowledge of space will save us.

National Symbol
Did you know…The pygmy hippopotamus has become a national symbol of Liberia…

Tourism
Did you know…The Sapo National Park has been chosen as one of the 261 natural wonders of the world. The Park’s spectacular scenery has made it one of country’s most popular attractions. This sanctuary contains one of the richest ecosystems on the African continent, and it has long been famous for its pygmy hippopotamus. Animals in the park also include elephants, Liberian mongooses, African golden cats, leopards, African civets, zebras, grey parrots, chimpanzees, African fish eagles and monkeys. This park -an area the size of Los Angeles, California- is one of the largest and most intact natural areas in West Africa.

Women & Power
Did you know…Lady Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf -the “Mother of Democracy in Liberia”- is the second female President in the country. This nation -one of the world’s poorest nations- has more female leaders, Presidents or Prime Ministers, than Norway, Sweden and South Korea. Liberia’s President is a well-known campaigner for women’s rights in Africa. She has ambitious projects for women and children. The Liberian leader once said, “Sensitivity to human needs. Maybe that comes from being a mother and interacting with other women, many of whom carry the biggest burden in times of both war and peace…”
Ruth Perry had the opportunity to become Liberia’s first female President in 1996.

Democracy
Did you know…Like Canada, Spain and Ireland, Liberia is a democratic country.This tiny country held its first multi-party election in 2005.

The United States & Liberia
Did you know…Many of the people of Liberia are of American origin…Washington supports the democracy in Liberia. In 2008 America’s President George Bush arrived in Monrovia, Liberia’s capital, for an official visit. This visit gave the Liberian government an air of respectability. Liberia has always maintained close diplomatic ties with Washington. Several American leaders have visited Monrovia. In 1943 Franklin Delano Roosevelt went to Liberia. At the invitation of American president Dwight D. Eisenhower, President William Tubman (1944-1971) visited the United States in 1954…Edwin Barclay, Liberia’s President, was the first black president to spend a night in the White House…

Geography
Did you know…Liberia (43, 000 sq mi) is bigger than Tennessee (42,146 sq mi).

Entertainment
Did you know…Sebah Esther Tubman was one of the “most beautiful girls in Africa” in the late 1990s. Sebah, Miss Liberia, was third runner-up at the 49th Miss World in London in 1999. She defeated 90 delegates, including Miss United States, Natasha Allas, and Miss United Kingdom, Nicola Willoughby…

Human Development
Did you know…The human development in Liberia today is considerably better than it was before the democratic government came to power in the mid-2000s…

Anti-apartheid Policy
Did you know…In the 20th century Liberia fought against apartheid in South Africa. In July 1976 the Liberian government supported the anti-apartheid boycott in Montreal ’76. Between 1976 and 1977 Liberia protested against the presence of Miss South Africa at the Miss World…

Economy
Did you know… More than 70 per cent of the country’s trade is with the United States, Belgium, Japan and South Korea…This nation is one of the biggest exporters of iron-ore in Africa…Curiously Liberia has one of the major merchant fleets in the Third World…

The Capital City
Did you know…Monrovia, country’s capital, was named in honor of James Monroe ,one of the first Presidents of the United States (1817-1825).

The United Kingdom and Liberia
Did you know…Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited the country in the early 60s…

Political Leaders
Did you know…William Tubman was one of Africa’s best Presidents. During his government, Liberia became one of the most stable countries in the Third World. His government strongly supported that women should participate in political life… Former President William Tolbert (1971-1980) was a close friend to Billy Graham, an evangelist leader in America.

The United Nations and Liberia
Did you know…This African nation signed the United Nations Charter in San Francisco in 1945…