countries/LI

Liberia

sovereignFIPS: LI|Edition: 2013|165 fields

COMMUNICATIONS(7 fields)

Broadcast media

3 private TV stations; satellite TV service available; 1 state-owned radio station; about 15 independent radio stations broadcasting in Monrovia, with another 25 local stations operating in other areas; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.lr

Internet hosts

7 (2012) country comparison to the world: 228

Internet users

20,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 194

Telephone system

general assessment: the limited services available are found almost exclusively in the capital Monrovia; fixed-line service stagnant and extremely limited; telephone coverage extended to a number of other towns and rural areas by four mobile-cellular network operators domestic: mobile-cellular subscription base growing and teledensity reached 50 per 100 persons in 2011 international: country code - 231; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

3,200 (2011) country comparison to the world: 213

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.394 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 138

ECONOMY(38 fields)

Agriculture - products

rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (manioc), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber

Budget

revenues: $380.9 million expenditures: $427.1 million (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13.52% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 13.75% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-918.8 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $-953 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$349.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $447.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

Liberia is a low income country heavily reliant on foreign assistance for revenue. Civil war and government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around the capital, Monrovia. Many businesses fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them, but with the conclusion of fighting and the installation of a democratically elected government in 2006, several have returned. Liberia has the distinction of having the highest ratio of direct foreign investment to GDP in the world. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products, primarily raw timber and rubber and is reviving those sectors. Local manufacturing, mainly foreign-owned, had been small in scope. President JOHNSON SIRLEAF, a Harvard-trained banker and administrator, has taken steps to reduce corruption, build support from international donors, and encourage private investment. Embargos on timber and diamond exports have been lifted, opening new sources of revenue for the government and Liberia shipped its first major timber exports to Europe in 2010. The country reached its Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative completion point in 2010, and nearly $5 billion of international debt was permanently eliminated. This new status will enable Liberia to establish a sovereign credit rating and issue bonds. Liberia's Paris Club creditors agreed to cancel Liberia's debt as well. The IMF has completed the sixth review of Liberia's extended credit facility, bringing total disbursements to over $379 million. The African Development Bank approved a grant of $48 million in 2011 to support economic governance and competitiveness. Rebuilding infrastructure and raising incomes will depend on generous financial and technical assistance from donor countries and foreign investment in key sectors, such as infrastructure and power generation. The country has achieved high growth during 2010-12 due to favorable world prices for its commodities.

Exchange rates

Liberian dollars (LRD) per US dollar - 73.52 (2012 est.) 72.23 (2011 est.) 71.4 (2010 est.)

Exports

$774.8 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 $645.7 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee

Exports - partners

China 24%, US 15.3%, Spain 11%, Algeria 6.5%, Thailand 4.5%, Malaysia 4.1%, France 4% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.711 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.645 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $2.442 billion (2011 est.) $2.264 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 125.6% government consumption: 15.2% investment in fixed capital: 25% investment in inventories: 0% exports of goods and services: 27.5% imports of goods and services: -93.3% (2011 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 76.9% industry: 5.4% services: 17.7% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$700 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 $600 (2011 est.) $600 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

8.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 7.9% (2011 est.) 6.1% (2010 est.)

Gross national saving

NA (2012 est.) -36.6% of GDP (2011 est.) -30.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 30.1% (2007)

Imports

$2.275 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 $2.068 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods; foodstuffs

Imports - partners

South Korea 26.7%, China 24.4%, Singapore 23.2%, Japan 16.1% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.8% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 8.5% (2011 est.)

Labor force

1.372 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 133

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 70% industry: 8% services: 22% (2000 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

80% (2000 est.)

Public debt

0.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 0.4% of GDP (2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$664.1 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 $560.2 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$201 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 $201 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$3.574 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $2.912 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$521.9 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 $475.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$408.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $433.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

22.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Unemployment rate

85% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 200

ENERGY(23 fields)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

588,000 Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 209

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 153

Electricity - consumption

311.6 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 209

Electricity - installed generating capacity

197,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Electricity - production

335 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 160

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3,533 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Refined petroleum products - exports

23.37 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,673 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 196

GEOGRAPHY(20 fields)

Area

total: 111,369 sq km country comparison to the world: 104 land: 96,320 sq km water: 15,049 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Tennessee

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers

Coastline

579 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m

Environment - current issues

tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.13 cu km/yr (55%/37%/8%) per capita: 43.66 cu m/yr (2005)

Geographic coordinates

6 30 N, 9 30 W

Geography - note

facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture

Irrigated land

21 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 1,585 km border countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km

Land use

arable land: 4.04% permanent crops: 1.62% other: 94.34% (2011)

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 200 nm

Natural hazards

dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)

Natural resources

iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower

Terrain

mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast

Total renewable water resources

232 cu km (2011)

GOVERNMENT(21 fields)

Administrative divisions

15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe

Capital

name: Monrovia geographic coordinates: 6 18 N, 10 48 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1847 (at independence); latest drafted 19 October 1983, revised version adopted by referendum 3 July 1984, effective 6 January 1986; amended 2011 (2011)

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Liberia conventional short form: Liberia

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Deborah R. MALAC (since 20 July 2012) embassy: U.S. Embassy, P.O. Box 98, 502 Benson Street, Monrovia mailing address: P.O. Box 98, Monrovia telephone: [231] 77-677-7000 FAX: [231] 77-677-7370

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jeremiah Congbeh SULUNTEH (since 25 April 2012) chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437 FAX: [1] (202) 723-0436 consulate(s) general: New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006); Vice President Joseph BOAKAI (since 16 January 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF (since 16 January 2006); Vice President Joseph BOAKAI (since 16 January 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 11 October and 8 November 2011 (next to be held in 2017) election results: Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF reelected president; percent of vote, second round - Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF 90.7%, Winston TUBMAN 9.3%

Flag description

11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a white five-pointed star appears on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the stripes symbolize the signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence; the blue square represents the African mainland, and the star represents the freedom granted to the ex-slaves; according to the constitution, the blue color signifies liberty, justice, and fidelity, the white color purity, cleanliness, and guilelessness, and the red color steadfastness, valor, and fervor note: the design is based on the US flag

Government type

republic

Independence

26 July 1847

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of a chief Justice and 4 associate justices) note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction for all constitutional cases judge selection and term of office: chief justice and associate justices appointed by the president of Liberia with consent of the Senate; judges can serve until age 70 subordinate courts: judicial circuit courts; special courts including criminal, civil, labor, traffic; magistrate and traditional or customary courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of common law (based on Anglo-American law) and customary law

Legislative branch

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (73 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 11 October 2011 (next to be held in 2014); House of Representatives - last held on 11 October 2011 (next to be held in 2017) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UP 10, NPP 6, CDC 3, APD 2, NUDP 2, LDP 1, LP 1, NDC 1, NDPL 1, independents 3; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UP 24, CDC 11, LP 7, NUDP 6, NDC 5, APD 3, NPP 3, MPC 2, LDP 1, LTP 1, NRP 1, independents 9

National anthem

name: "All Hail, Liberia Hail!"

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 July (1847)

National symbol(s)

white star

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Peace and Democracy or APD [Marcus S. G. DAHN] Congress for Democratic Change or CDC [Geraldine DOE-SHERIFF] Liberia Destiny Party or LDP [Nathaniel BARNES] Liberty Party or LP [Isreal ARKINSAYAN] Liberia Transformation Party or LTP [Julius SUKU] Movement for Progressive Change or MPC [Simeon FREEMAN] National Democratic Coalition or NDC [Dew MAYSON] National Democratic Party of Liberia or NDPL [D. Nyandeh SIEH] National Patriotic Party or NPP [Theophilus C. GOULD] National Reformist Party or NRP [Maximillian T. W. DIABE] National Union for Democratic Progress or NUDP [Emmanuel LOMAX] Unity Party or UP [Varney SHERMAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

other: demobilized former military officers

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

INTRODUCTION(1 fields)

Background

Settlement of freed slaves from the US in what is today Liberia began in 1822; by 1847, the Americo-Liberians were able to establish a republic. William TUBMAN, president from 1944-71, did much to promote foreign investment and to bridge the economic, social, and political gaps between the descendants of the original settlers and the inhabitants of the interior. In 1980, a military coup led by Samuel DOE ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles TAYLOR launched a rebellion against DOE's regime that led to a prolonged civil war in which DOE was killed. A period of relative peace in 1997 allowed for elections that brought TAYLOR to power, but major fighting resumed in 2000. An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted the resignation of former president Charles TAYLOR, who faces war crimes charges in The Hague related to his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war. After two years of rule by a transitional government, democratic elections in late 2005 brought President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF to power. She subsequently won reelection in 2011 in a second round vote that was boycotted by the opposition and remains challenged to build Liberia's economy and reconcile a nation still recovering from 14 years of fighting. The United Nations Security Council in September 2012 passed Resolution 2066 which calls for a reduction of UN troops in Liberia by half by 2015, bringing the troop total down to fewer than 4000, and challenging Liberia's security sector to fill the gaps.

MILITARY(6 fields)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 815,826 females age 16-49: 828,484 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 524,243 females age 16-49: 544,349 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 36,585 female: 38,516 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Navy, Air Force

Military expenditures

0.8% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 147

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

PEOPLE AND SOCIETY(37 fields)

Age structure

0-14 years: 43.6% (male 876,696/female 863,873) 15-24 years: 17.8% (male 345,357/female 363,746) 25-54 years: 31.3% (male 622,806/female 624,707) 55-64 years: 4.3% (male 84,252/female 87,250) 65 years and over: 3% (male 60,288/female 60,728) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

35.75 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Child labor - children ages 5-14

total number: 177,160 percentage: 21 % (2007 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

20.4% (2007) country comparison to the world: 33

Contraceptive prevalence rate

11.4% (2007)

Death rate

10.12 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 84.9 % youth dependency ratio: 79.3 % elderly dependency ratio: 5.6 % potential support ratio: 17.8 (2013)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 88% of population rural: 60% of population total: 73% of population unimproved: urban: 12% of population rural: 40% of population total: 27% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 147

Ethnic groups

Kpelle 20.3%, Bassa 13.4%, Grebo 10%, Gio 8%, Mano 7.9%, Kru 6%, Lorma 5.1%, Kissi 4.8%, Gola 4.4%, other 20.1% (2008 Census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.5% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

HIV/AIDS - deaths

3,600 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

37,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Health expenditures

19.5% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 1

Hospital bed density

0.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

total: 70.93 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 17 male: 75.25 deaths/1,000 live births female: 66.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages

English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written or used in correspondence

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 57.81 years country comparison to the world: 197 male: 56.2 years female: 59.47 years (2013 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 60.8% male: 64.8% female: 56.8% (2010 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever animal contact disease: rabies (2013)

Major urban areas - population

MONROVIA (capital) 882,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

770 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 8

Median age

total: 17.9 years male: 17.7 years female: 18.1 years (2013 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.1 (2007 est.)

Nationality

noun: Liberian(s) adjective: Liberian

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.8% (2008) country comparison to the world: 161

Physicians density

0.01 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

3,989,703 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Population growth rate

2.56% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Religions

Christian 85.6%, Muslim 12.2%, Traditional 0.6%, other 0.2%, none 1.4% (2008 Census)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 29% of population rural: 7% of population total: 18% of population unimproved: urban: 71% of population rural: 93% of population total: 82% of population (2010 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 11 years male: 13 years female: 9 years (2000)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.92 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 5.1% country comparison to the world: 132 male: 3.4% female: 6.6% (2010)

Urbanization

urban population: 48.2% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 3.43% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES(4 fields)

Disputes - international

although civil unrest continues to abate with the assistance of 18,000 UN Mission in Liberia peacekeepers, as of January 2007, Liberian refugees still remain in Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Ghana; Liberia, in turn, shelters refugees fleeing turmoil in Cote d'Ivoire; despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict continues to spread into neighboring states who can no longer send their migrant workers to Ivorian cocoa plantations; UN sanctions ban Liberia from exporting diamonds and timber

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets; corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 54,621 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2013) IDPs: undetermined (civil war from 1990-2004; post-election violence in March and April 2011; unclear how many have found durable solutions; many dwell in slums in Monrovia) (2012)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Liberia is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; most victims are Liberian and are exploited within the country, where they are forced into domestic servitude, begging, prostitution, street vending, agricultural work, and diamond mining; a small number of Liberian men, women, and children are trafficked to Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and the US, while trafficking victims are brought to Liberia from neighboring West African countries, including Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Nigeria tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Liberia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has increased its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts and achieved its first conviction under its 2005 anti-trafficking law; the government has failed to make adequate efforts to identify and protect trafficking victims and has not adopted or implemented the standard operating procedures for assisting victims finalized by the anti-trafficking secretariat in 2012; the referral of victims to NGOs for protective services is inconsistent (2013)

TRANSPORTATION(8 fields)

Airports

29 (2013) country comparison to the world: 117

Airports - with paved runways

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 14 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 2,771 country comparison to the world: 2 by type: barge carrier 5, bulk carrier 662, cargo 143, carrier 2, chemical tanker 248, combination ore/oil 8, container 937, liquefied gas 92, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 526, refrigerated cargo 102, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 10, vehicle carrier 27 foreign-owned: 2,581 (Angola 1, Argentina 1, Australia 1, Belgium 1, Bermuda 4, Brazil 20, Canada 2, Chile 9, China 4, Croatia 1, Cyprus 9, Denmark 8, Egypt 3, Germany 1185, Gibraltar 5, Greece 505, Hong Kong 48, India 8, Indonesia 4, Israel 34, Italy 47, Japan 110, Latvia 5, Lebanon 1, Monaco 8, Netherlands 31, Nigeria 4, Norway 38, Poland 13, Qatar 5, Romania 3, Russia 109, Saudi Arabia 20, Singapore 22, Slovenia 7, South Korea 2, Sweden 12, Switzerland 25, Syria 1, Taiwan 94, Turkey 16, UAE 37, UK 32, UK 22, Ukraine 10, Uruguay 1, US 53) (2010)

Pipelines

oil 4 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Buchanan, Monrovia

Railways

total: 429 km country comparison to the world: 115 standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge note: most sections of the railways were inoperable because of damage suffered during the civil wars from 1980 to 2003, but many are being rebuilt (2008)

Roadways

total: 10,600 km country comparison to the world: 134 paved: 657 km unpaved: 9,943 km (2000)