Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d'Ivoire. Founded in 1822 and declaring independence on July 26, 1847, it holds the distinction of being Africa's oldest republic and was never subjected to colonial rule, having been established by the American Colonization Society as a settlement for free-born Black people and formerly enslaved individuals from the United States. The capital city, Monrovia, is named after U.S. President James Monroe, reflecting the profound American influence on Liberia's constitution, government structure, and culture. Despite a challenging history involving civil wars in the late 20th century, Liberia is a resilient nation with a diverse, rich tropical environment and a developing economy focused on agriculture and mining.