Monrovia

According to the Köppen climate classification , Monrovia is located in the tropical monsoon climate zone. Throughout the year, a huge amount of precipitation falls on this territory (about 5140 mm per year). The climate is characterized by the presence of both the rainy season and the dry season. However, even during the dry season, precipitation is observed (although rainfall is decreasing). The temperature remains relatively stable throughout the year and fluctuates around 26 ° C.

The first mention of Monrovia dates back to the 60s of the 16th century . In those years, Portuguese sailors gave the settlement, which already existed in this territory, the name port of Mezurada. In 1821 , in order to create an independent colony, blacks freed from slavery arrived in Africa from the United States , who became the first American settlers in the area. They landed on the island of Cherbro , which today belongs to the state of Sierra Leone . Local residents did not differ in special hospitality, and many settlers died in fierce battles with the natives. In 1822, the surviving Americans were rescued by their compatriots, who had also arrived in Africa, and transported to the port of Mezurada, where they founded the settlement of Christopolis. In 1824, the city ​​was renamed Monrovia in honor of American President James Monroe , who was an active supporter of the policy of transporting blacks freed from slavery to Liberia, believing that this could smooth out the process of emancipation of black people in America. Thus, Monrovia became the only capital in the world (not counting Washington ), named after the American president.

In 1845, a congress of the American Society of Colonists was held in Monrovia, at which the project was approved, after 2 years becoming the official constitution of the independent and sovereign Republic of Liberia ^[1] .

At the beginning of the 20th century, Monrovia was divided into 2 parts: Monrovia proper, which sheltered the bulk of the American-Liberian population and was built in the spirit of the architecture of the South USA , and Krutown, inhabited by the Kru , Bass , Rowing and others ^[2] . At that time, of the 4,000 inhabitants of the capital, 2,500 were American-Liberians. By 1926, migration to Monrovia began to actively pick up representatives of various ethnic groups from other parts of the country, whose main goal was to find work ^[2] .

In 1979, Monrovia hosted a conference of member countries of the Organization of African Unity , led by then-President of Liberia, William Tolbert . During his reign, Tolbert was able to implement the state housing program in Monrovia and halve the tuition at the University of Liberia. In 1980, as a result of a military coup, Tolbert was deposed from the presidency, and many of his allies were taken into custody.

The city was badly damaged during the First (1989-1996) and Second (1999-2003) civil wars. Monrovia suffered particularly great damage during the blockade, which lasted from July 18 to August 14, 2003. Many buildings were destroyed, and almost the entire infrastructure of the city was destroyed. The largest clashes occurred in 1990 between supporters of the Samuel Doe government and allies of Prince Johnson, and also in 1992 during the siege of the city by the Liberian National Patriotic Front. At the end of hostilities, a huge number of children were left without parents and a roof over their heads, and young people lost the opportunity to finish their education.

In 2002, on the territory of the fish market in Monrovia, Leima Gboui organized a mass peaceful performance by Liberian women, during which the fairer sexes who came to the capital from all over the country, prayed and sang ^[3] . This movement in 2003 contributed to the end of the Second Civil War and the election of the President of the country, Helen Johnson-Serlif . Thus, Liberia became the first African country led by a woman president ^[4] .

There are two international airports in the city. Monrovia is the only duty free port in West Africa. The city receives significant income from the transit of goods to neighboring countries. Cargo turnover is about 12 million tons per year. Food, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, cement industries, and fishing are developed.

Since the second half of the XIX century, the heads of the city were:

• V. F. Nelson, 1870s ^[5]
• S. T. O. King, 1880s ^[6]
• H. A. Williams, 1890s ^[7]
• Arthur Burkeley, 1892-1902 ^[8]
• Gabriel M. Johnson, 1920s ^[9]
• Nathon S. Ross, 1956-1969 ^[10]
• Ellen A. Sandymani, 1970s (first female mayor) ^[11]
• Ophelia Hoff Saitume, 2001-2009
• Mary Bro, 2009-2013 ^[12]
• Klara Do-Mvo, since 2014

Places such as the National Museum of Liberia, the Masonic Temple of Monrovia , the coastal market and several beaches can attract tourists to Monrovia. The city also houses the Antoinette Tubman Stadium, which seats 10,000 people, and the Samuel Canyon Dow sports complex (40,000-seat stadium, one of the largest in Africa).

Monrovia is home to the University of Liberia, Cuttington College and other public and private educational institutions. Medical education can be obtained at the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine, and the basics of paramedicine and patient care are taught at the Tubman Institute of Medicine.

Monrovia is the only capital in the world, besides Washington, named after the American president.

• George Weah - Liberian politician, famous football player ( Liberia striker)
• Seku Olise - Nigerian and Liberian footballer , right attacking midfielder of the “Kuban”
• Wilton Sankavulo - Liberian politician, writer; Chairman of the Council of State of Liberia (1995-1996)

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