21 May 2013 Last updated at 08:59 ET

Liberia profile

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Civil war in the 1990s destroyed Liberia's economy, left 250,000 dead and created thousands of refugees

• Full name: Republic of Liberia
• Population: 4.2 million (UN, 2012)
• Capital: Monrovia
• Area: 99,067 sq km (38,250 sq miles)
• Languages: English, 29 African languages belonging to the Mande, Kwa or Mel linguistic groups
• Major religions: Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs
• Life expectancy: 56 years (men), 59 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 cents
• Main exports: Diamonds, iron ore, rubber, timber, coffee, cocoa
• GNI per capita: US $330 (World Bank, 2011)
• Internet domain: .lr
• International dialling code: +231