Monrovia
Monrovia | |
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GMT) | |
Climate | Am |
Website | www |
Monrovia (/mənˈroʊviə/[4][5] is the capital and largest city of Liberia. Founded in 1822, it is located on Cape Mesurado on the Atlantic coast and as of the 2022 census had 1,761,032 residents, home to 33.5% of Liberia’s total population.[6] Its Metro Area including Montserrado and Margibi counties largely being urbanized, was home to 2,225,911 inhabitants as of the 2022 census. As the nation's primate city, Monrovia is the country's economic, financial and cultural center; its economy is primarily centered on its harbor and its role as the seat of Liberian government.
Etymology
Monrovia is named in honor of
History
Before 1816, the area around Cape Mesurado and the mouth of the Mesurado River was called Ducor. It had long been established as a crossroads and place of trade, and was inhabited by fishing, trading and farming communities of various ethnicities, including the Dey, Kru, Bassa, Gola, and Vai. The French cartographer and enslaver Chevalier des Marchais visited Ducor and the Cape in 1723, conducted business there and later published a map of the area.
In 1816, with the aim of establishing a self-sufficient colony for emancipated American slaves, something that had already been accomplished in
On January 7, 1822, a ship took these settlers to Dazoe Island (now called Providence Island) at the mouth of the Mesurado River. They subsequently went ashore at Cape Mesurado, and established a settlement they called Christopolis.[8][9] In 1824, the city was renamed Monrovia after
In 1845, there was a constitutional convention in Monrovia, at which the document was drafted that would be adopted two years later as the constitution of the newly independent and sovereign
At the beginning of the 20th century, 2,500 of Monrovia’s 4,000 residents were
In 1979, the
The First Liberian Civil War (1989 to 1997) and Second Liberian Civil War (1999 to 2003) severely damaged many buildings and nearly all the infrastructure in the city, particularly during the siege of Monrovia. There were major battles between Samuel Doe's government forces and Prince Johnson's forces in 1990, and during the National Patriotic Front of Liberia's assault on the city in 1992. During the wars, many children and youths were forced to be involved in the fighting, and were deprived of any schooling, and afterwards, many of them were left homeless.
In 2002,
In 2014, the city was affected by the
Geography
Monrovia lies along the Cape Mesurado peninsula, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mesurado River, whose mouth forms a large natural harbor. The Saint Paul River lies directly north of the city and forms the northern boundary of Bushrod Island, which is reached by crossing the "New Bridge" from downtown Monrovia. Monrovia is located in Montserrado County and is Liberia's largest city and its administrative, commercial and financial center.[16]
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification, Monrovia has a tropical monsoon climate (Am).[17] It is the wettest capital city in the world, with annual rainfall averaging 182 in (4,600 mm).[18] It has a wet season and a dry season, but gets precipitation even during the dry season. Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year, averaging around 79.5 °F (26.4 °C). The only slight difference are the high temperatures as they are around 81 °F (27 °C) in the winter and near 90 °F (32 °C) in the summer with lows being around 22–24 year-round.
Climate data for Roberts International Airport, 37 mi east of Monrovia, Liberia | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 35.0 (95.0) |
38.0 (100.4) |
37.0 (98.6) |
38.0 (100.4) |
35.0 (95.0) |
33.0 (91.4) |
36.0 (96.8) |
35.0 (95.0) |
32.0 (89.6) |
33.0 (91.4) |
36.0 (96.8) |
34.0 (93.2) |
38.0 (100.4) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 31.8 (89.2) |
32.0 (89.6) |
31.8 (89.2) |
31.5 (88.7) |
30.5 (86.9) |
28.3 (82.9) |
27.2 (81.0) |
26.8 (80.2) |
27.7 (81.9) |
29.4 (84.9) |
30.3 (86.5) |
30.0 (86.0) |
29.8 (85.6) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 26.2 (79.2) |
27.1 (80.8) |
27.6 (81.7) |
27.8 (82.0) |
27.4 (81.3) |
26.0 (78.8) |
25.1 (77.2) |
24.9 (76.8) |
25.4 (77.7) |
26.1 (79.0) |
26.7 (80.1) |
26.4 (79.5) |
26.4 (79.5) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 22.0 (71.6) |
23.4 (74.1) |
23.7 (74.7) |
23.8 (74.8) |
23.9 (75.0) |
23.4 (74.1) |
23.0 (73.4) |
22.9 (73.2) |
23.3 (73.9) |
23.2 (73.8) |
23.5 (74.3) |
22.5 (72.5) |
23.2 (73.8) |
Record low °C (°F) | 15.0 (59.0) |
18.0 (64.4) |
18.0 (64.4) |
21.0 (69.8) |
20.0 (68.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
17.0 (62.6) |
20.0 (68.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
16.0 (60.8) |
15.0 (59.0) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 51 (2.0) |
71 (2.8) |
120 (4.7) |
154 (6.1) |
442 (17.4) |
958 (37.7) |
797 (31.4) |
354 (13.9) |
720 (28.3) |
598 (23.5) |
237 (9.3) |
122 (4.8) |
4,624 (181.9) |
Average rainy days | 4 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 24 | 22 | 16 | 9 | 182 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
78 | 76 | 77 | 80 | 79 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 86 | 84 | 80 | 79 | 81 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 158 | 167 | 198 | 195 | 155 | 105 | 84 | 81 | 96 | 121 | 147 | 155 | 1,662 |
Source 1: Deutscher Wetterdienst (average temperature and extremes only)[19] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Danish Meteorological Institute[20] |
Neighborhoods
Monrovia comprises several districts spread across the Mesurado peninsula; the greater metropolitan area encircles the mouth of the marshy Mesurado River. The historic downtown area, centered on Broad Street, is at the very end of the peninsula; the major market district, Waterside, immediately to its north, faces the city's large natural harbor.
Northwest of Waterside is the large, low-income
Further east along the peninsula is the Sinkor section of Monrovia. Originally a suburban residential district, today Sinkor is the bustling midtown section of the city. It includes many diplomatic missions, major hotels, businesses, and residential neighborhoods, including informal communities such as Plumkor, Jorkpentown, Lakpazee and Fiamah. Sinkor is also home to the city's secondary airport, Spriggs Payne, and the area immediately next to the airport, called Airfield, is a major nightlife district for the whole city. East of the Airfield is the Old Road section of Sinkor, which is predominantly residential, and includes informal settlements such as Chugbor and Gaye Town.
At the southeastern base of the peninsula is the independent township of Congo Town, and to its east is the large suburb of
- Other neighborhoods and suburbs of Monrovia include
Notable people
- Henry Clifford Boles (1910–1979), American architect, active in Monrovia through the Point Four Program[21]
- Prince Johnson, Liberian politician
- Clarence Kparghai, Swiss ice hockey player
- Sio Moore, American football player
- Aloysius Wleh Penie, Liberian footballer
- Massimo Pigliucci (born 1964), ecological and evolutionary geneticist
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former president of Liberia
- Takun J, Liberian musician
- Charles Taylor, former president of Liberia
- Benoni Urey, Liberian businessman
- George Weah, Liberian president and former footballer
- Ashton Youboty, American football player
Economy
Monrovia's economy is dominated by its harbor - the Freeport of Monrovia - and as the location of Liberia's government offices. Monrovia's harbor was significantly expanded by U.S. forces during the Second World War and the main exports include latex and iron ore.
Materials are also manufactured on-site, such as cement, refined petroleum, food products, brick and tile, furniture, and chemicals. Located on Bushrod Island between the mouths of the Mesurado and Saint Paul rivers, the harbor also has facilities for storing and repairing vessels.
Transport
Boats link the city's Freeport of Monrovia, the country's busiest port, with Greenville and Harper.[22] The nearest airport is Spriggs Payne Airport, located less than four miles (6.4 km) from the city center. Roberts International Airport, the largest international airport in Liberia, is 37 miles (60 km) away in Harbel.[22]
Monrovia is connected with the rest of the country via a network of roads and railways. Monrovia is listed as the home port by between ten and fifteen percent of the world's merchant shipping, registered in Liberia under
In recent years (2005–present) the roads on many streets in Monrovia have been rebuilt by the World Bank and the Liberian Government. Private and public infrastructures are being built or renovated as reconstruction takes place.
Administration and government
Monrovia is situated in the
City corporations
- Monrovia City Corporation
- Paynesville City Corporation
Townships
- Barnesville
- Caldwell
- Congo Town
- Dixville
- Gardnersville
- Garworlon
- Johnsonville[citation needed]
- New Georgia
- West Point[29]
Borough
Former mayors include:
- W. F. Nelson, 1870s[30]
- C. T. O. King, 1880s and served three terms[31]
- H. A. Williams, 1890s[32]
- Arthur Barclay, 1892–1902[33]
- Gabriel M. Johnson, 1912–1913; 1920–1921[34][35]
- Thomas J.R. Faulkner, 1914–1918[36]
- Nathan C. Ross, 1956–1969[37]
- Ellen A. Sandimanie, 1970–1973[38]
- Ophelia Hoff Saytumah, 2001–2009
- Mary Broh, February 2009 – February 2013
- Henry Reed Cooper, March 2013 – July 2013
- Clara Doe-Mvogo, March 2014 – January 2018
- Jefferson Tamba Koijee, January 2018 – January 2024
Culture and media
Cultural attractions in Monrovia include the Liberian National Museum, the Masonic Temple, the Waterside Market, and several beaches. The city also houses Antoinette Tubman Stadium and the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, which boasts one of the largest stadiums in Africa, with seats for 40,000.[citation needed]
The newspaper industry in Monrovia dates back to the 1820s, with the founding of the
Monrovia also has radio and TV stations. Radio is the dominant source of news, because problems with the
Education
Monrovia is home to the
The American International School of Monrovia is located in Congo Town.[42]
Places of worship
The
Pollution
Pollution is a significant challenge in Monrovia.[44] Piles of household and industrial rubbish tend to build up. The World Bank pays sanitation companies to collect it, but collections are irregular.[44]
In 2013, the problem of uncollected rubbish in the Paynesville area of Monrovia became so acute that traders and residents burnt "the huge garbage piles that seemed on the verge of cutting off the main road" out of Monrovia to Kakata.[44]
Flooding brings additional environmental problems to residents: flood water picks up the waste that has been deposited in swamps at the edge of residential areas, and spreads it around.[44]
In 2009, only one-third of Monrovia's 1.5 million people had access to clean toilets.[45] Those without their own toilets defecate in the narrow alleyways between their houses, or on the beach, or into plastic bags that they dump onto nearby piles of rubbish or into the sea.[45]
Congested housing, a lack of any requirement that landlords provide working toilets, and virtually no urban planning "have combined to create lethal sanitation conditions in the capital".[46]
International relations
Twin towns – Sister cities
Monrovia is
See also
- John F. Kennedy Medical Center
- Palm Grove Cemetery
- Sacred Heart Cathedral, Monrovia
- Executive Mansion
General:
References
- ^ "Liberia: Counties, Major Cities, Towns & Urban Areas - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information".
- ^ "Liberia: Counties, Major Cities, Towns & Urban Areas - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information".
- ^ "Liberia: Counties, Major Cities, Towns & Urban Areas - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information".
- ^ "Definition of Monrovia". The Free Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-01-05. /mənˈroʊviə, mɒnˈroʊviə/)
- ^ "Define Monrovia". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2014-01-05. /mənˈroʊviə/
- ^ "Liberia: Counties, Major Cities, Towns & Urban Areas - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information".
- ^ "Map of Liberia, West Africa". World Digital Library. 1830. Retrieved 2013-06-02.
- ^ Roman Adrian Cybriwsky, Capital Cities around the World: An Encyclopedia of Geography, History, and Culture, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2013, p. 193
- ^ Britannica, Monrovia, britannica.com, USA, accessed on July 7, 2019
- ^ Dunn-Marcos, Robin; Kollehlon, Konia T.; Ngovo, Bernard; Russ, Emily (April 2005), Ranard, Donald A. (ed.), Liberians: An introduction to their history and culture (PDF), Washington, D.C.: Center for Applied Linguistics, archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-07-24
- ^ ISBN 9780415234795. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ISSN 0024-3019.
- ^ 2009 Peace warrior for Liberia Archived 2009-12-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "African women look within for change". CNN.com. 2010-09-23. Retrieved 2019-08-25.
- ^ "The terrifying mathematics of Ebola". Channel 4. 2014-09-11. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
- ^ a b "Liberia Housing Profile" (PDF). United Nations Human Settlements Programme. 2014. pp. 14–15, 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-10-17. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
- ^ "Climate: Monrovia - Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 2014-01-05.
- ^ The rain in Monrovia
- ^ "Klimatafel von Robertsfield (Int. Flugh.) / Liberia" (PDF). Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
- ^ "STATIONSNUMMER 65660" (PDF). Danish Meteorological Institute. Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 16, 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
- ISBN 978-1-135-95629-5.
- ^ a b Timberg, Craig (March 12, 2008). "Liberia's Streets, Spirits Brighten; Four Years After War's End, Battered W. African Nation Begins a Slow Reawakening". The Washington Post. pp. A8.
- ^ "Greater Monrovia, Liberia - Administrative Boundaries Overview" (PDF). ReliefWeb. Liberia Institute of Statistics & Geo-Information Services. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
- ^ a b "THE TRANSFORMATIVE ROLE OF CITY-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST EBOLA AND BEY OND IN GREATER MONRO VIA, LIBERIA" (PDF). Cities Alliances. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 November 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
- ^ "Montserrado County Development Agenda, 2008-2012" (PDF). emansion.gov.lr/. Republic of Liberia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
- ^ "THE LIBERIA COUNTRY PROGRAMME" (PDF). Cities Alliance. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
- ^ "A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CITY OF MONROVIA - By: Madam Ophelia Hoff Saytumah City Mayor of Monrovia". Monrovia City Corporation. 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
- ^ "ORDINANCE NO. 4". TLC Africa. Archived from the original on 2017-10-16. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "The First Greater Monrovia City Forum" (PDF). Cities Alliance. 2017. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-06-13. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
- ^ "Trustees of Donations for Education in Liberia Records: 1842-1939". Massachusetts Historical Society. Archived from the original on 30 December 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
- ISBN 1-59221-294-8.
- ^ Payne, Daniel Alexander (1922). A history of the African Methodist Episcopal church: being a volume supplemental to A history of the African Methodist Episcopal church. Book Concern of the A.M.E. Church. p. 181.
- ^ Liberia Bulletin, American Colonization Society, 1904
- ^ "African Series Introduction: Volume VIII: October 1913--June 1921". The Marcus Garvey and UNIA Papers Project. UCLA. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
- OCLC 27727681.
- OCLC 1050127437.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ "Nathan Ross; Was Mayor Of Monrovia". The Washington Post. January 28, 2003.
- ^ Thompson, Era Bell (January 1972). "Liberian Lady Wears Three Hats". Ebony. pp. 54–62.
- ^ "UNMIL – Misión de las Naciones Unidas en Liberia". www.unmil.org. Archived from the original on January 10, 2007.
- ^ Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) Goes Nation-Wide. Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine 19 November 2008. Executive Mansion
- ^ About us. Archived 2008-09-10 at the Wayback Machine STAR radio. Retrieved on October 13, 2008.
- ^ Home page. American International School of Monrovia. Retrieved on April 7, 2015. "Old Road, Congo Town, Monrovia, Liberia, Africa | P.O. Box 1625"
- ^ J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ‘‘Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices’’, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 1716
- ^ a b c d "Monrovia’s ‘Never-Ending’ Pollution Issues In 2013", Edwin M. Fayia III, The Liberian Observer, December 30, 2014. Archived December 26, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "LIBERIA: Disease rife as more people squeeze into fewer toilets", IRIN News, 19 November 2009.
- ^ "LIBERIA: No relief as most Monrovians go without toilets", IRIN News, 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Taipei - International Sister Cities". Taipei City Council. Archived from the original on 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
Bibliography
External links
- City Map
- Map of Greater Monrovia showing population densities
- Texts on Wikisource:
- "New International Encyclopedia. 1905.
- "Monrovia, Liberia". Encyclopedia Americana. 1920.
- "Monrovia". Collier's New Encyclopedia. 1921.
- "