Gbarpolu County
Gbarpolu is a county in the northern portion of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has six districts. Bopulu serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring 3,741 square miles (9,690 km2). As of the 2008 Census, it had a population of 83,758, making it the eleventh-most populous county in Liberia.
Gbarpolu County | |
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Flag | |
Location in Liberia | |
| Coordinates: 7°10′N 10°25′W | |
| Country | Liberia |
| Capital | Bopulu |
| Districts | 6 |
| Established | 2001 |
| Government | |
| • Superintendent | Allen Gbowee |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9,689 km2 (3,741 sq mi) |
| Population (2008) | |
| • Total | 83,758 |
| • Density | 8.6/km2 (22/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) |
| HDI (2018) | 0.405 low · 11th of 15 |
Created in 2001 when it was split from Lofa County, Gbarpolu is the youngest county in Liberia. As of 2013, the County Superintendent was Allen Gbowee.
The county is bordered by Grand Cape Mount County to the west, Bomi County to the southwest, Bong County to the south, and Lofa County to the east and north. The northwest part of Gbarpolu borders the nation of Sierra Leone. The Gola Forest straddles this border and is home to the Gola Forest community.
The majority of Gbarpolu County consists of forests. Mining was the primary economic activity prior to the Liberian Civil War, in addition to subsistence farming. However, the war devastated all sectors of the county.
Gbarpolu County also produces timber and coal.
The county flag features a diamond, a tree, and the flag of Liberia on a yellow background.