Liberia extends from between 4.21°N and 8.34°N to 7.27°W and 11.31°W. It is roughly rectangular measuring about 510 km (317 mi) in length from northwest to southeast, with a width of about 275 km (171 mi). The coastline is about 680 km (423 mi), including river mouths ad inlets up to one kilometre wide.[2]
In the west, the coast is low and sandy, but in the central and eastern parts of the country it is sandy and rocky and of moderate relief, frequently broken by the mouths of the rivers. The coastal plain varies in width, being narrow between Monrovia and Buchanan, but being much wider in the west and in the Cestos Valley in the centre, narrowing again in the eastern end of the country.[1]
Further inland the land rises, sometimes with escarpments, to a plateau some 300 to 400 m (1,000 to 1,300 ft) above sea level. This is divided by the river valleys and there are hilly ridges between some of the river valleys. The land rises further in the north and northwest of the country, with mountains that exceed 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in several places, the highest point in the country being in the Wologizi Range at 1,440 m (4,724 ft).[2]
The total length of Liberia's land borders is 1,587 kilometers (986 mi): 310 kilometers (190 mi) with Sierra Leone on the northwest, 560 kilometers (350 mi) with Guinea to the north, and 716 kilometers (445 mi) with Ivory Coast. Liberia claims an Exclusive Economic Zone of 249,734 km2 (96,423 sq mi) and 200 nmi (370 km; 230 mi).
The lowest point on Liberia is at sea level on the Atlantic Ocean. The highest point on Liberia is 1,440 metres or 4,724 feet above sea level at Mount Wuteve.
The mining industry of Liberia has witnessed a revival after the civil war which ended in 2003.[3] Gold, diamonds, and iron ore form the core minerals of the mining sector with a new Mineral Development Policy and Mining Code being put in place to attract foreign investments.[4] In 2013, the mineral sector accounted for 11% of GDP in the country and the World Bank projected a further increase in the sector by 2017.[5]
Mining sector is considered the prime mover for the economic growth of the country and its exploitation has to be appropriately balanced with sustainable environmental preservation of its rich biodiversity.[6] Apart from iron ore extractions, cement, diamond, gold, and petroleum resources have also been given due importance to enrich the economy of the country.
Environmental issues in Liberia include the deforestationoftropical rainforest, the hunting of endangered species for bushmeat, the pollution of rivers and coastal waters from industrial run-off and raw sewage, and the burning and dumping of household waste.
In March 2024, the World Bank released the Liberia Country and Climate Development Report (CCDR), which highlights the severe threat posed by global climate change to Liberia's stability and economic growth. The report outlines the country's vulnerabilities, including its reliance on natural resources, limited fiscal space, and inadequate infrastructure. It warns that without proactive intervention, climate change could shrink Liberia's economy by 15% and push an additional 1.3 million people into poverty by 2050. Conversely, the report suggests that targeted adaptation efforts could significantly improve resilience for up to 800,000 individuals. The CCDR details a strategy for climate action, focusing on four main themes: climate risks and readiness, essential infrastructure, human development, and sustainable land management. It also calls for improved access to finance, leveraging both concessional funding and private sector investment, to support Liberia's pursuit of inclusive growth and poverty reduction.[10][11]
This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.
