The city is built on a hilly peninsula - a long arm of land surrounded by sea on three sides. This gives Monrovia some stunning views: from certain hilltops you can see the ocean glittering in two different directions at the same time. The warm Atlantic breeze keeps the city a little cooler than the interior of the country.
Monrovia's markets are the beating heart of the city. Waterside Market, right on the ocean, is one of the most famous. Traders sell everything from fresh fish just hauled in from the sea, to bolts of bright fabric, electronics, spices and piles of cassava and plantain. The noise, colour and energy are extraordinary.
The city is named after James Monroe, who was the fifth president of the United States - making Monrovia one of the few capital cities in the world named after an American president. The street life in Monrovia is full of music, especially highlife and hip-hop, and on weekends crowds gather at the beach to relax, play football and enjoy the ocean.