Gbarpolu County
| Gbarpolu County | ||
|---|---|---|
| County | ||
|
||
 Location in Liberia |
||
| Coordinates: 7°10′N 10°25′W / 7.167°N 10.417°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 | GMT (UTC+0) | |
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 9,689 square kilometres (3,741 sq mi). As of the 2008 Census, it had a population of 83,758, making it the eleventh-most populous county in Liberia.
Created in 2001 when it was split from Lofa County, Gbarpolu is the youngest county in Liberia. As of 2013[update], 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 staddles this border and is home to the Gola Forest community.
The majority of Gbarpolu County consists of forest. 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 has several gold and diamond mines. Most of the mines are governed by traditions, stating that investors who intend to partner with Gbarpolu County will follow traditional terms by showing desire to the community ruler of their interest in going into partnership with the community. Such traditions normally involve several items being bought by the investor or partners..
Gbarpolu County also produces timber and coal.
The districts of Gbarpolu County, with their 2008 populations,include:
The Gola Forest straddles the border between Liberia and Sierra Leone and is home to diverse species of importance to the country. In Sierra Leone, the forest is incorporated into the Gola National Forest, and because of the unity of the forest with Liberia, considerations of conservation must consider a collaborative management with Liberian inhabitants as well.
...
Wikipedia