Liberia People Profile 2012

English is the official language. It and various pidgin tongues based on English are spoken by 30 per cent of the population; most of the people speak African languages. Most Liberians are animists. There are also some Christians and some Muslims.

Most Liberians are descended from indigenous peoples, peoples who lived in the area before Liberia became a country. The government divides these peoples into 16 ethnic groups, which are officially called “tribes.” About 3 per cent of the people are descendants of freed slaves and are sometimes called Americo-Liberians. The only large city is Monrovia, the capital.