Liberia

Liberia is a West African country colonized by freed former slaves from the USA in the 19th century. There are a multitude of languages and ethnic groups, such as Kpelle, Bassa, Grebo, Gio, Mano, Kru, Lorma, Kissi, and Gola. The past 30 years have been marked by political instability, but for the last eight years or so the situation has been levelling out. Liberia is fairly flat, with a mostly hot and rainy climate, and a lot of forests and rivers. Natural resources, including iron ore, rubber and timber, are a major part of the economy. The palm oil industry is controversial because of its effects on human settlements and the environment.

Sapo National Park, the only park in the country, contains primary rainforest. It also has a still impressive array of wildlife including pygmy hippos, chimps, and forest elephants, even if its selection was larger 35 years ago. The National Museum in Monrovia has many exhibits with educational content about ethnography and history, as well as artwork.

Rice is a big staple in Liberia, as are plantains and cassava. Okra, sweet potato leaves, coconut, and citrus fruits are typical produce items. Fish is popular, and goat meat is often eaten in stews. Baking is rare in Africa, but common in Liberia thanks to its historical relationship with the United States. Spices and fruits are a key part of those recipes. When you’ve got a fresh ginger cookie or a slice of banana cream of wheat bread, you’ve got it pretty good.