Monrovia

People

Monrovia is Liberia's largest city; in 1995, its metropolitan population was estimated at 962,000. It is estimated that more than one-third of the country's population lives within 80 kilometers (50 miles) of the city.

The major demographic divide in Liberia is the distinction between the country's indigenous residents and the descendants of freed American slaves, known as Americo-Liberians. The indigenous peoples (found mainly in the interior) outnumber Americo-Liberians (who live mainly on the coastal areas) by a ratio of about 30 to one.

All 16 of Liberia's major ethnic groups can be found among the population of Monrovia, with the most numerous being the Bassa, who belong to the Kwa linguistic group. Monrovia also has a foreign population consisting of both Africans and Europeans.