Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/137.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 13KB | 332 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\liberia.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Liberia"}


{4}Note: Years of civil strife have destroyed much of Liberia's economic infrastructure, made civil
administration nearly impossible, and brought economic activity virtually to a halt. The
deterioration of economic conditions has been greatly exacerbated by the flight of most business
people with their expertise and capital. Civil order ended in 1990 when President Samuel Kanyon
DOE was killed by rebel forces. The ensuing civil war persisted until August 1995 when the major
factions signed the Abuja peace accord and, in September 1995, formed a transitional coalition
government under Wilton SANKAWULO. The war was resumed in April 1996, when forces loyal to
faction leaders Charles TAYLOR and Alhaji KROMAH attacked rival factions in Monrovia, further
damaging the capital's already dilapidated infrastructure and causing panic among the remaining
foreign residents, thousands of whom sought refuge in US facilities. Prospects for peace became
extremely uncertain again.


{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Liberia, click {z,"-12.462118,3.976791,-6.317553,8.713158",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra
Leone

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 111,370 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 96,320 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly larger than Tennessee

{2}Land boundaries:{4}
{3}total:{4} 1,585 km
{3}border countries:{4} Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km

{2}Coastline:{4} 579 km

{2}Maritime claims:{4}
{3}territorial sea:{4} 200 nm

{2}International disputes:{4} none

{2}Climate:{4} tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy
summers with frequent heavy showers

{2}Terrain:{4} mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast
{3}lowest point:{4} Atlantic Ocean 0 m
{3}highest point:{4} Mount Wuteve 1,380 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 1%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 3%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 2%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 39%
{3}other:{4} 55%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} 20 sq km (1989 est.)

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} tropical rain forest subject to deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity;
pollution of rivers from the dumping of iron ore tailings and of coastal waters from oil residue and
raw sewage

{2}natural hazards:{4} dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)

{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 2,109,789 (July 1996 est.)

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 45% (male 475,138; female 470,970)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 52% (male 557,855; female 532,143)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 3% (male 35,544; female 38,139) (July 1996 est.)

{2}Population growth rate:{4} 2.13% (1996 est.)

{2}Birth rate:{4} 42.72 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 11.95 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} -9.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
{3}note:{4} until the Ghanaian-led peace negotiations are successful, many Liberian refugees will be
unable to return from exile

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.03 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.01 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 1.05 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 0.93 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 108.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 58.59 years
{3}male:{4} 56.05 years
{3}female:{4} 61.22 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 6.23 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Liberian(s)
{3}adjective:{4} Liberian

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano,
Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, and Bella), Americo-Liberians 5% (descendants of former
slaves)

{2}Religions:{4} traditional 70%, Muslim 20%, Christian 10%

{2}Languages:{4} English 20% (official), Niger-Congo language group about 20 local languages come
from this group

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 38.3%
{3}male:{4} 53.9%
{3}female:{4} 22.4%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} Republic of Liberia
{3}conventional short form:{4} Liberia

{2}Type of government:{4} republic

{2}Capital:{4} Monrovia

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 13 counties; Bomi, Bong, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand
Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, Sinoe

{2}Independence:{4} 26 July 1847

{2}National holiday:{4} Independence Day, 26 July (1847)

{2}Constitution:{4} 6 January 1986

{2}Legal system:{4} dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern
sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector

{2}Suffrage:{4} 18 years of age; universal

{2}Executive branch:{4}
chief of state and head of government: Chairman of the Council of State Wilton SANKAWULO
(since NA September 1995); president was to be elected for a six-year term by universal suffrage
at the end of 1995; election last held 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA August 1996); results -
Samuel Kanyon DOE (NDPL) 50.9%, Jackson DOE (LAP) 26.4%, other 22.7%
{3}note:{4} constitutional government ended in September 1990 when President Samuel Kanyon DOE
was killed by rebel forces; civil war ensued and in August 1995 the Abuja peace accord was
signed by the major warring factions; a transitional coalition government under Wilton
SANKAWULO was formed in September 1995; presidential elections are scheduled for August
1996
{3}cabinet:{4} Cabinet was selected by the leaders of the major factions in the civil war

{2}Legislative branch:{4} unicameral Transitional Legislative Assembly, the members of which are
appointed by the leaders of the major factions in the civil war
{3}note:{4} the former bicameral legislature no longer exists and is unlikely to be reconstituted soon

{2}Judicial branch:{4} Supreme Court

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} National Democratic Party of Liberia (NDPL), Augustus CAINE,
chairman; Liberian Action Party (LAP), Emmanuel KOROMAH, chairman; Unity Party (UP),
Joseph KOFA, chairman; United People's Party (UPP), Gabriel Baccus MATTHEWS, chairman;
National Patriotic Party (NPP), Charles TAYLOR, chairman; Liberian Peoples Party (LPP), Dusty
WOLOKOLLIE, chairman

{2}International organization participation:{4} ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Konah K. BLACKETT
{3}chancery:{4} 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone]
{3}consulate(s) general:{4} New York

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador (vacant); Chief of Mission William MILAM
{3}embassy:{4} 111 United Nations Drive, Monrovia
{3}mailing address:{4} P. O. Box 100098, Mamba Point, Monrovia
{3}telephone:{4} [231] 226-370
{3}FAX:{4} [231] 226-148

{2}Flag:{4} 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white
five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US
flag


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} Civil war since 1990 has destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially
the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Businessmen have fled the country, taking capital and
expertise with them. Many will not return. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests,
and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products,
while local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. Political instability
threatens prospects for economic reconstruction and repatriation of some 750,000 Liberian
refugees who have fled to neighboring countries. The continued political turmoil has prevented
restoration of normal economic life, including the re-establishment of a strong central government
with effective economic development programs. The economy deteriorated further in 1995.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $2.3 billion (1994 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} 0% (1994 est.)

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $770 (1994 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} NA%
{3}industry:{4} NA%
{3}services:{4} NA%

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 50% (1994 est.)

{2}Labor force:{4} 510,000 including 220,000 in the monetary economy
{3}by occupation:{4} agriculture 70.5%, services 10.8%, industry and commerce 4.5%, other 14.2%
{3}note:{4} non-African foreigners hold about 95% of the top-level management and engineering jobs

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} NA%

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $225 million
{3}expenditures:{4} $285 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.)

{2}Industries:{4} rubber processing, food processing, construction materials, furniture, palm oil
processing, iron ore, diamonds

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} NA% (1993-94)

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 330,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 440 million kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 143 kWh (1993)

{2}Agriculture:{4} rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep,
goats; timber

{2}Illicit drugs:{4} increasingly a transshipment point for heroin and cocaine

{2}Exports:{4} $530 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
{3}commodities:{4} iron ore 61%, rubber 20%, timber 11%, coffee
{3}partners:{4} US, EC, Netherlands, Singapore

{2}Imports:{4} NA (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
{3}commodities:{4} mineral fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured
goods; rice and other foodstuffs
{3}partners:{4} US, EC, Japan, China, Netherlands, ECOWAS, South Korea

{2}External debt:{4} $1.9 billion (1993 est.)

{2}Economic aid:{4}
{3}recipient:{4} ODA, $NA

{2}Currency:{4} 1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 cents

{2}Exchange rates:{4} Liberian dollars (L$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (officially fixed rate since 1940); market
exchange rate of US$1 - L$50 (October 1995), L$7 (January 1992), market rate floats against the
US dollar

{2}Fiscal year:{4} calendar year


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 490 km (single track); note - three rail systems owned and operated by foreign steel and
financial interests in conjunction with Liberian Government; one of these, the Lamco Railroad,
closed in 1989 after iron ore production ceased; the other two have been shut down by the civil
war
standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 145 km 1.067-m gauge

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 10,029 km
{3}paved:{4} 600 km
{3}unpaved:{4} 9,429 km (1987 est.)

{2}Ports:{4} Buchanan, Greenville, Harper, Monrovia

{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 1,601 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 59,449,296 GRT/98,819,081 DWT
{3}ships by type:{4} barge carrier 2, bulk 411, cargo 121, chemical tanker 108, combination bulk 28,
combination ore/oil 56, container 143, liquefied gas tanker 77, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil
tanker 463, passenger 42, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 64, roll-on/roll-off cargo 23, short-
sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 48
{3}note:{4} a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 59 countries among which are US 253,
Japan 172, Norway 165, Germany 149, Greece 137, Hong Kong 114, UK 78, China 49, Monaco
41, and Cyprus 34 (1995 est.)

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 39
{3}with paved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 1
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 1
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 29
{3}with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 2
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 6 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} less than 25,000 (1991 est.)

{2}Telephone system:{4} telephone and telegraph service via microwave radio relay network; main
center is Monrovia; most telecommunications services inoperable due to insurgency movement
{3}domestic:{4} NA
{3}international:{4} satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0

{2}Radios:{4} 622,000 (1992 est.)

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 5 (1987 est.)

{2}Televisions:{4} 51,000 (1992 est.)


{1}Defense{4}

{2}Branches:{4} NA; the ultimate structure of the Liberian military force will depend on who is the victor
in the ongoing civil war

{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 479,274
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 256,200 (1996 est.)

{2}Defense expenditures:{4} exchange rate conversion - $14 million, 2.9% of GDP (1993)