The Republic of Liberia is a nation on the southern curve of the West African coast between Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. The country was founded in 1822 as a refuge for freed American slaves, although only about 15,000 slaves were returned as residents. Organized as a republic in 1847, Liberia is the only West African nation that was never colonized. Sadly, a bitter and tragic civil war tore the country apart from 1989 to 2003. A UN peacekeeping force aided reconstruction from 2003 to 2018. Port facilities at Monrovia were rebuilt by the UN Joint Logistics Centre. The coastline of Liberia has only a few natural harbors. Monrovia has always been the major port. In the 1950s a second port was established at Buchanan for the shipment of iron ore, although these operations ceased in the 1990s. Efforts are being made to redevelop both ports. In early 2007 the lighthouses were inspected to assess what would be needed to restore them to service. However, little was done and in June 2012 a visiting team from the International Maritime Organization reported that lighthouse restoration was "one of the major challenges facing the maritime sector of Liberia." Restoration and operation are the responsibility of the Liberia Maritime Authority. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume D of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 113.
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![]() Cape Palmas Light, Harper, 2005 photo copyright Chipo Nyambuya; used by permission |
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Information available on lost lighthouses:
Notable faux lighthouses:
Adjoining pages: North: Sierra Leone | East: Côte d'Ivoire
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Posted September 9, 2005. Checked and revised April 18, 2024. Lighthouses: 11. Site copyright 2024 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.