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There are other small hotels near Monrovia, some located at beautiful beaches. A very popular one is Caesar Beach Motel located on Caesar s Beach, off the highway from Robert International Airport.
Other well-known beaches include Barnes Beach, Kenema Beach and Sugar Beach.
In Congotown, off the main boulevard leading into and out of Monrovia, is Gertylue Park Motel and Gertylue Floral Park. Eighty-eight miles east of Monrovia in Buchanan is Louiza Hotel.
Hotel Wakolor serves visitors/tourists preferring views of the country outside Monrovia. Situated in Robertsport, 73 miles (122 km) west of Monrovia and 108 miles (180 km) from Roberts International Airport, it is a short way from Lake Piso, a location which can afford the visitor the opportunity to go boating, fishing or basking on Massating Island in the lake.
TRAVEL WITHIN LIBERIA
The road system connects those of Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Most of the roads are still laterite and travel can be difficult in the wet season.
Means of Transportation
Taxis and buses are by far the most popular means of travel. There are numerous taxis make journeys between towns at regular fares. Taxis do not have meters and can carry several passengers whom they pick up and alight en route. Fares are fixed.
Small or mid-size busses and larger busses are operated by the Monrovia Transit Authority (MTA). Charters are possible and can be arranged with the operator of the vehicle. In Liberia traffic travels on the right!
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HISTORY
Liberians are generally candid, amicable, and cordial. In West Africa, Liberians are regarded as amongst the friendliest and most hospital people. For visitors, names of ethnic groups and African dialects which are liable to be encountered may be useful. These include Krahn and Grebo (Grand Gedeh and Maryland), Kru and Bassa (Sinoe, Grand Kru and Grand Bassa), Dan/Gio and Mahn/Mano (Nimba), Vai and Lorma (Cape Mount and Lofa), and Kpelle and Gola (Bong and Montserrado). By dreams, indeginous systems of writing were invented. Dwaki Bukele (Vai tribe) invented such a system. Other scripts are Bassa Vah (invented by Di Widah), Kpelle by chief Gbili of Sonoyea, and Bond Lorma by Widoh Zobo from Lofa County. Though it happens that one area (county) is heavily populated by one or more ethnic groups, there are communities of the various enthnic groups scattered throughout the country. With an estimated annual growth rate of 3.3 percent, Liberia s population stands now at about 2.5 million.
Established in 1822 and is independent since 1847. Liberia is the First Republic of Africa and the Oldest democracy on the African continent. It played an important role as a model for African colonies, seeking for indepence. The majority of its citizens trace their ancestry to African tribes. Until around the year 1000, Liberia was one huge tropical forest. In the inlands only some small tribes lived. Between 500 - 1076, people from Ghana Empire with traditional African religion, flew to Liberia and it is assumable that in the early 10th century, the first people from Sudan entered the coastal regions and settled down. Some centuries later tribes from Ghana and Islam people from Mali followed, after wars devastated their countries. Around the 12th century tribes from Congo and Ethiopia flew to Liberia, people from the Empire of Songhei in 1491 and Moors in 1591. This explains the many tribes and languages in Liberia. Members of the Kru tribe (originated from northern Africa) have a long standing seafaring tradition. Some Kru members were reported in 1869 when the Suez Canal was built and in 1880 in central America, digging the Panama Canal.
In 1364 the first Europeans from France (called Normans) landed in Bassa and Sinoe, followed in 1461 by Pedro de Cintra, a Portugese sailor who kidnapped a man near Cape Mesurado to Portugal (actually the first act of slavery). The Portugese named many of the capes and rivers in west Africa. In the 16th century the Dutch arrived in Liberia, followed by the English in 1626. The Portugese came for the malaguetta pepper, the English for the grain and the Dutch to buy gold.
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COUNTIES
GRAND GEDEH:
Krahn tribe, Grebo tribe: world famous Grebo Masks, Bodio rituals, Poro & Sande societies. The Krahn and Grebo called the aboriginals: Baboo or Blewe.
GRAND KRU:
LOFA:
Voinjama (trade/capital) 'Reed Dolls of Loma', Diamond Industry
MARGIBA:
MARYLAND:
Peninsula.
Harper Port, Cape Palmas, Lake Shepard, Dead Island
MONTSERRADO:
Monrovia (capitol), Cape Meserado (or Ducor), Providence Island, Bushroad Island, Gomez Island (opposite to Providence),
Meserado River.
NIMBA:
Lamco Iron Mine, Nimba Mountains (Mount Wuteve with 1.380 m at
Yekepa is the biggest mountain). 2nd highest peak is Wologisi Mountain. Mount Nimba is a 1 mile high iron ore mountain
with the highest grade iron deposit in the world. Lake Tileh (in Sanniquellie) is the largest man-made lake in Liberia.
Nimba has the best climate of Liberia.
RIVER CESS:
Rivercess (sometimes spelled River Cess) is one of Liberia's 15 counties. Rivercess is the county's capital.
RIVER GEE:
River Gee is one of 15 counties of Liberia. It was created in 2000 from the southern portion of Grand Gedeh County.
Fish Town is the county's capital.
SINOE:
Called Mississippi from 1836-1842.
Greenville (capital), Port, Sinoe River, Putu Mountains, Tropical virgin rainforest, Sapo National Park
(325 sq.km/325.760 acres big: pygmy hippo, forest elephants, duiker, leopards, buffaloes (bushcows), red river hogs,
bushbuck, chimpanzees and other primates, etc.
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