Liberia

Part of speech: noun, proper noun

Definitions

1. A sovereign country located on the west coast of Africa known for its history as a settlement for freed American and Caribbean slaves ; a nation with Monrovia as its capital and a political system based on a presidential republic ; a state recognized for its diverse ethnic groups and significant rubber and iron ore industries
2. An independent West African republic established in the 19th century for resettlement of emancipated Blacks from the United States ; a territory with a tropical climate, rich natural resources, and a mixed economy ; a political entity notable for its unique cultural heritage and English as the official language
3. A country along the Atlantic Ocean in Liberia, noted for its foundation by freed African-American slaves in the early 1800s ; a republic with a democratic government and a population consisting of multiple indigenous ethnicities ; a region historically significant for its role in African colonization and for its production of natural commodities like rubber and timber

Etymology: The name of the country is a deliberate coinage, built from the Latin word for "free." In 1822 the American Colonization Society began settling freed African Americans on the West African coast, and the settlement was named Liberia. The Latin "līber" meant "free," and the English suffix "-ia" has long been used to form place names, so the word is essentially "the land of freedom," a name chosen to stress the purpose of the enterprise. The settlement grew into the Republic of Liberia, which declared independence in 1847, making it one of the oldest republics in Africa. Its population, however, has always included many indigenous ethnic groups, and the name's origin in the colonization project remains a point of historical discussion.

Synonyms: Republic of Liberia, West African country