Geography & environment — Liberia
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Liberia: Africa
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Africa
- Geographic Coordinates
6 30 N, 9 30 W
- Total Area
43,000 Square Miles 111,369 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
37,189 Square Miles 96,320 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
5,810 Square Miles 15,049 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
985 Miles 1,585 Kilometers
- Border Countries
Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km
- Coastline
360 Miles 579 Kilometers
Physical geography
- Terrain
mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast
- Highest Point
1,380 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Mount Wuteve 1,380 m
- Lowest Point Location
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
- Natural Resources
iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower
- Irrigated Land
8 Square Miles 21 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
Liberia is so situated in the Tropics as to be directly in the path of the seasonal winds. From May through November, the prevailing monsoon winds drop most of the nearly 200 inches of rain received annually in the capital city of Monrovia. From December through April, the red, dust-laden harmattan winds originating over the Sahara Desert prevail. The transition periods between the seasons are punctuated by violent thunderstorms and sudden torrential downpours. Temperatures average 81°F; humidity averages 82%. There is little variation over the course of the year. Precautions must be taken against mildew and rust caused by the heat, constant humidity, and the corrosive salt air of the coast.
- Terrain
mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast
- Location
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
- Total Area
43,000 Square Miles 111,369 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
tropical rain forest deforestation
soil erosion
loss of biodiversity
pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage
- Environment - International Agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation