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Facing the Atlantic in equatorial west Africa, most of Liberia's coastline is characterized by lagoons and mangrove swamps. Inland, a grassland plateau supports the limited agriculture. Founded in 1847 by freed US slaves, Liberia today has been largely reduced to anarchy after renewed offensives by rebel factions opposed to the government of former coup leader Charles Taylor. Hundreds of civilians were killed in 2003 alone as fighting reached Monrovia.