Robertsport
Encyclopedia
Robertsport, also known as Roberts Port and Robert's Port, is a town in western Liberia
, about 10 miles from the Sierra Leone
border. It is named after Joseph Jenkins Roberts
, the first president of Liberia.
The town lies on Cape Mount peninsula
, and is separated from the mainland by Lake Piso. It serves as the capital of Grand Cape Mount County
. Robertsport is located 50 km north of Monrovia
, Liberia's capital city.
As of the 2008 census, Robertsport has a population of 3,933. Of this, 1,994 were male and 1,939 female.
The town gets very heavy rainfall, averaging 205 inches (5,200 mm) per year.
reached the cape, a 1,000-foot high granite promontory, which he named Cabo do Monte (Cape Mount). In the early 19th century, a colony of African American
freed slaves settled the site, which was then part of the Vai
territory.
It was an Allied Forces Air Force
base in World War II
and later became a seaside resort
known for surfing
.
In 2009, Liberia's most experienced surfer, Alfred Lomax, took a reporter to see what he considered the best surfing spots; from Luke Leitch's Times
of London report: "'This here,' he says pointing out to the waves surging down the beach, 'we call this Camp Point. Then, up the beach, is Cutting Point — that’s where they break both ways. The next point is Loco and the one after that is Shipwreck.' ... 'The waves here get fine, playful. When they are high, March to October, they can be 20ft high and you get good barrels, sliding waves. You can ride one wave for a long, long time.'"
Nearby towns and villages include Bassa Community (0.6 nm), Kru Town (0.3 nm), Bombotown
(0.3 nm) and Gomboja (0.3 nm).
, the town has remained structurally intact. The town's architecture includes now-decrepit, plantation-style houses reminiscent of the Southern United States
- a historical influence on Liberia - which line wide avenues that lean against the hills on the town's edge.
Robertsport residents are mainly fishermen and rice farmers.
The town is featured in the independent documentary film, "Sliding Liberia", which follows four young surfers to war-torn Liberia in search of perfect waves. The film also explores the country's social and political unrest.
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
, about 10 miles from the Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
border. It is named after Joseph Jenkins Roberts
Joseph Jenkins Roberts
Joseph Jenkins Roberts was the first and seventh President of Liberia. Born free in Norfolk, Virginia, USA, Roberts emigrated to Liberia in 1829 as a young man. He opened a trading store in Monrovia, and later engaged in politics...
, the first president of Liberia.
The town lies on Cape Mount peninsula
Peninsula
A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....
, and is separated from the mainland by Lake Piso. It serves as the capital of Grand Cape Mount County
Grand Cape Mount County
Grand Cape Mount is a county in the northwestern portion of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has five districts. Robertsport serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring...
. Robertsport is located 50 km north of Monrovia
Monrovia
Monrovia is the capital city of the West African nation of Liberia. Located on the Atlantic Coast at Cape Mesurado, it lies geographically within Montserrado County, but is administered separately...
, Liberia's capital city.
The town gets very heavy rainfall, averaging 205 inches (5,200 mm) per year.
History
In the mid-15th century, the Portuguese navigator Pedro de SintraPedro de Sintra
Pedro de Sintra also known as Pêro de Sintra was a Portuguese explorer. He was among the first Europeans to explore the West African coast. Around 1462 his expedition reached contemporary Sierra Leone and named it. Continuing their journey, they visited the Benin Empire.-References and notes:...
reached the cape, a 1,000-foot high granite promontory, which he named Cabo do Monte (Cape Mount). In the early 19th century, a colony of African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
freed slaves settled the site, which was then part of the Vai
Vai
Vai has several possible meanings:* Vaï, Moroccan-French Canadian rapper* Vai people** Vai language** Vai syllabary* Vai * Văi, a village in Lupşa Commune, Alba County, Romania* Steve Vai, guitarist* Steve Vai's band Vai - see Steve Vai...
territory.
It was an Allied Forces Air Force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
base in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and later became a seaside resort
Seaside resort
A seaside resort is a resort, or resort town, located on the coast. Where a beach is the primary focus for tourists, it may be called a beach resort.- Overview :...
known for surfing
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
.
Geography
Robertsport's coast contains five points, including three main points known for surfing: Fisherman's Point, closest to town; Cotton Trees; and Cassava Point.In 2009, Liberia's most experienced surfer, Alfred Lomax, took a reporter to see what he considered the best surfing spots; from Luke Leitch's Times
Times
The Times is a UK daily newspaper, the original English language newspaper titled "Times". Times may also refer to:In newspapers:*The Times , went defunct in 2005*The Times *The Times of Northwest Indiana...
of London report: "'This here,' he says pointing out to the waves surging down the beach, 'we call this Camp Point. Then, up the beach, is Cutting Point — that’s where they break both ways. The next point is Loco and the one after that is Shipwreck.' ... 'The waves here get fine, playful. When they are high, March to October, they can be 20ft high and you get good barrels, sliding waves. You can ride one wave for a long, long time.'"
Nearby towns and villages include Bassa Community (0.6 nm), Kru Town (0.3 nm), Bombotown
Bombotown
Bombotown is a village and suburb of Robertsport in Grand Cape Mount County on the northern coast of Liberia.It is located about 300m from the city....
(0.3 nm) and Gomboja (0.3 nm).
Town life
Liberia is a war torn country. Despite lootingLooting
Looting —also referred to as sacking, plundering, despoiling, despoliation, and pillaging—is the indiscriminate taking of goods by force as part of a military or political victory, or during a catastrophe, such as during war, natural disaster, or rioting...
, the town has remained structurally intact. The town's architecture includes now-decrepit, plantation-style houses reminiscent of the Southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
- a historical influence on Liberia - which line wide avenues that lean against the hills on the town's edge.
Robertsport residents are mainly fishermen and rice farmers.
The town is featured in the independent documentary film, "Sliding Liberia", which follows four young surfers to war-torn Liberia in search of perfect waves. The film also explores the country's social and political unrest.