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Monrovia
Monrovia is the capital and largest city of Liberia, located on the Atlantic coast at Cape Mesurado in Montserrado County. It serves as the country's political, administrative, economic, and cultural center. According to the 2022 census, the city has a population of approximately 1.76 million, while the greater metropolitan area exceeds 2.2 million people, accounting for roughly one-third of Liberia's total population and representing the country's most densely populated region.
AI overview
Monrovia is the capital and largest city of Liberia, serving as the country's center for politics, administration, economy, and culture. With a population of approximately 1.76 million in the city proper and over 2.2 million in its metropolitan area, Monrovia is home to about one-third of Liberia's people and is the country's most densely populated region.
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Place details
- Locality
- Monrovia
- Region
- Montserrado County
- Country
- Liberia
- Population
- 1,542,549
Travel guide
Understand
thumb|Liberian Capitol Building From the harbor city's establishment in 1822 to Liberia's 1847 declaration of independence, the American Colonization Society resettled approximately 3200 former African-American and Caribbean slaves and their descendants. The city was named Monrovia in 1824 after US president James Monroe, then a prominent supporter of the colony. Approximately 29% of the Liberian population live in the 5-square-mile (13 km²) capital city.
There are a number of merchants lining the streets of downtown, selling used clothes, household wares, and DVDs. Waterside market is the largest local indoor/outdoor market, with narrow walkways between busy stalls. There are two large, well-stocked supermarkets in the city center to offer a surprising selection of Western foods.
Despite its woes, Liberia has the feeling of a country on the ascent. Billboards line the streets, inviting citizens to pay their taxes to make their country stronger and to take pride in their success. It is not cliché to say that Liberians are extremely friendly, so the streets are vibrant.
Get around
Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive but there have been rumors of robberies and pickpocketing in taxis. If you do take a taxi, don't take a shared taxi but rather hire one just for yourself.
Do
thumb|Beach at West Point, Monrovia.
Eat
Dining options in Monrovia are reasonable, although anything other than Lebanese and Liberian tends to be expensive, but there are a few reasonable places.
There are hundreds of "cook shops" serving Liberian fare, but if you're yearning for something other than spicy sauces and rice, consider the following (in no particular order):
Go next
Careysburg is a town founded by freed slaves in 1859, about 30 minutes from Monrovia. The sleepy city and nearby townships have examples of homes and churches built in the style of the American South, set against a cool, lush landscape. The Quelu and Wulki Farms both offer accommodations with swimming pools and horseback riding.
Travel guide from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0)
~19 min read
Article
20 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- History
- Geography
- Climate
- Neighborhoods
- Notable people
- Economy
- Transport
- Administration and government
- Culture and media
- Education
- Places of worship
- Pollution
- International relations
- Twin towns – Sister cities
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Bibliography
- External links
Monrovia is the capital and largest city of Liberia, located on the Atlantic coast at Cape Mesurado in Montserrado County. It serves as the country's political, administrative, economic, and cultural center. According to the 2022 census, the city has a population of approximately 1.76 million, while the greater metropolitan area exceeds 2.2 million people, accounting for roughly one-third of Liberia's total population and representing the country's most densely populated region.
The city was founded in 1822 by the American Colonization Society as a settlement for formerly enslaved and freeborn African Americans and was named after James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States. Monrovia became the capital of the Republic of Liberia following the country's declaration of independence in 1847. Early settlement centered on Providence Island before expansion to the mainland, and the city developed as the primary seat of political power and administration during the 19th and 20th centuries.
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