Liberia is a country in West Africa founded, established, and controlled by citizens of the United States and ex-Caribbean slaves a colony for former African American slaves and their free black descendants.It was established in 1821 even though they didn’t declare independence until July 26, 1847. The United States finally accepted and Liberia gained independence on February 5, 1862. Liberia was also the first nation to gain its independence, although it wasn’t the only independent state in Africa at the time. There are 17 ethnic groups - Kpelle, the largest group; Bassa, Gio, Kru, often fishermen; Grebo, Mandingo, often in trade and transport; Man, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Belleh, Mende, and Dey. The population is 4,730,437
