POPULATION:
2 million
LITERACY RATE:
35%
SELF DEFENSE FORCES:
Liberian Democratic Army
LANGUAGES:
English (official), Niger-Congo language group about 20 local languages come from this group 
ETHNIC GROUPS:
Americo-Liberians, Aborigines
BORDERING COUNTRIES:
Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone 
Liberia- Since becoming a modern country Liberia has never been under the control of any outside power.  Originally settled by freed American slaves the country has held close ties to the U.S. ever since, especially for its Iron, for which they are totally dependent on the U.S..
  In the mid 90's conflict in the country finally came to an end with a peace treaty ending the nearly twenty year long civil war that had been plaguing the country.  Elections were held and President Micheal Barnes was elected in a land slide.  The country was in ruins, and in many places it still is, but in a stroke of genius Barnes was able to procure lucrative trade rights with Europe and the U.S. and its landlocked neighbors.  This gave them a seat of power on the continent, as now any of the surrounding land locked countries must import and export their goods through Liberia.  It was through this deal that Liberia was finally able to start turning itself around, and the country was very careful not to favor any one country over the other.   When the wasting plague hit, it decimated the country, however because of its trade importance the country was the first to receive foreign aid and the situation was brought under control.

Just as Liberia again started rebuilding it was besieged by hostilities with Nigeria, who was envious of the exclusive trade agreements Liberia possessed.  For ten years their were minor conflicts and maritime confrontations, then in 2018 it all came to a head when Nigerian special forces mined the Liberian harbor.  This led to war between the two countries.  Recently Ghana has allied itself with Nigeria.   Currently  both Liberia and Nigeria are financially draining themselves fighting this war, while Ghana seems to be only minimally involved in the military confrontation.  Relations with the countries in between; most notably Cote d'Ivoire, are becoming increasingly strained as the tensions of being caught in the crossfire are intensifying.
 
 

(Written by Deric "D" Bernier.)