History
The American Colonization Society promoted resettling freed American slaves in Africa. Resettlement began in 1822.

The Americo-Liberians, although a minority of the population, were the dominant group in Liberia until 1980. In 1980 President William Tolbert was executed during a coup.

Civil war began in 1989 when Charles Taylor of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia led an uprising against the government. The war ended in 1996 and Taylor won the presidential election in 1997. Further unrest led to civil war again in 1999. A peace agreement was signed in August 2003 and Charles Taylor was exiled to Nigeria.

Towards the end of 2005 Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf won the Liberian presidential elections. She became the first woman elected as an African head of state.

Economy
Liberia's economy has suffered from damage to its infrastructure caused by civil war. International sanctions have been imposed on exports such as diamonds (previously sold to finance the purchase of armaments).

Liberia's agricultural sector earns a high percentage of the country's Gross Domestic Product and provides a livelihood for a large proportion of the working population.

Principal agricultural products are coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava, palm oil, sugarcane, and bananas. Sheep and goats are reared.

Industries include hydropower, mining, diamonds, timber, rubber processing and palm oil processing. (2008)

Arts
Americo-Liberians only make up a small percentage of the population. There are around sixteen ethnic groups in Liberia's indigenous population, each with its own traditions and culture.

In many cases, histories and culture are transmitted by storytelling and song. The University of Liberia has encouraged efforts to preserve histories and local knowledge.

Music and dance are important to all groups. The National Cultural Center in Kendeja is the home to the Liberian Cultural Dance Troupe.

Sport
Football is the national sport in Liberia. Basketball is also played.

Holidays
All religious holidays are celebrated. Independence Day is on 26 July (1847).

News
News from Liberia is available in Newslink.

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