LIBERIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21296, 24 September 1932, Page 4 (Supplement)

LIBERIA

By ALLAN JAMES CRAIG. Ivaituna. (Junior prize-winning essay. Stamp Contest) In 1820 (lie American Colonisation Society sent out a number of freed slaves to settle on the island of Sherboro. However, (lie unhealthiness of tho climato at Sherboro compelled tho negroes to move; so in 1822 these negroes were granted a piece of land on tho Grain Coast in West Africa, between Sierra Leone and the French Ivory Coast. This piece of land is now known as the Liberian Republic. The independence of tho colony was declared in 1847, and was formally recognised by England and France in 1848, and by the United States of America in 1862. The boundaries of tho Republic were determined by tho Anglo-Liberian agreements of 1845-1892, and finally in 1910. The area of Liberia is 40,000 square miles and tho population is about 2,000,000, 20,000 of whom are the civilised negroes. Tho capital of the Republic is Monrovia. The products of Liberia are coffee, ivory, sugar and palm oil. Liberian stamps were first issued in 1860. Tho most valuable Liberian 6tamps were issued in 1867, but they are not very valuable. The stamps give one a good idea of the animals and birds of the state. The elephant and the hippopotamus are pictured on some of the stamps issued in 1892, whilo later issues showmore animals. On some of the Stamps are pictures of a President Johnson, the Arms, birds and scenes in that tropical country..