Nimba County is a

county A county () is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposesL. Brookes (ed.) '' Chambers Dictionary''. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, 2005. in some nations. The term is derived from the Old French denoti ...

in northeastern

Liberia Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, Guinea to Guinea–Liberia border, its north, Ivory Coast to Ivory Coast–Lib ...

that shares borders with the

Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire and officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital city of Yamoussoukro is located in the centre of the country, while its largest city and e ...

in the East and the

Republic of Guinea Guinea, officially the Republic of Guinea, is a coastal country in West Africa. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Guinea-Bissau to the northwest, Senegal to the north, Mali to the northeast, Côte d'Ivoire to the southeast, and Sier ...

in the Northwest. Its capital city is

Sanniquellie Sanniquellie is a city and the capital of Nimba County and Sanniquellie-Mahn District, Liberia. It is located in the north-east of the country at coordinates 07°21'49" N 008°42'40" W. The average altitude of the city is 420 metres above the ...

and its most populous city is

Ganta Ganta, also known as Gompa City, is a town approximately from Monrovia in Nimba County of northern Liberia. It is located just south of the Guinea border. It is the second-most populous city in Liberia, with an estimated population of 41,106 as ...

. With the county's area measuring , Nimba is the largest of Liberia's 15 counties. The county has six statutory districts. As of the 2022 Census, it had a population of 621,841, making it the second most populous county in Liberia. Named after

Mount Nimba Mount Richard-Molard, also known as Mount Nimba () is a mountain along the border of Guinea, Ivory Coast and Liberia in West Africa. The summit is on the border of Guinea and Ivory Coast and at is the highest peak for both countries and of the N ...

(Neinbaa Tohn in the Mahn (or Mano) language), which demarcates part of the Guinea-Côte d'Ivoire border, Nimba is also bordered by

Bong A bong (also known as a water pipe) is a filtration device generally used for smoking cannabis, tobacco, or other herbal substances. In the bong shown in the photo, the smoke flows from the lower port on the left to the upper port on the right ...

and Grand Bassa counties to the west,

Rivercess County Rivercess County is a Counties of Liberia, county in the south-central portion of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that compose the Administrative division, first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has six D ...

to the southwest, and

Grand Gedeh County Grand Gedeh is a county in the eastern portion of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that constitute the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has three districts. Zwedru (formerly Tchien) serves as the ca ...

to the southeast. The northern and northeastern parts of Nimba border the nation of

, while the northeast lies along the border of

Côte d'Ivoire Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire and officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital city of Yamoussoukro is located in the centre of the country, while its largest city and ...

Government

Nimba County is one of fifteen counties of Liberia. During the nearly three-decade administration of William V.S. Tubman (1944–1971), the region now called Nimba County was one of three of Liberia's provinces: Western Province, Eastern Province, and Central Province. In the sixties, Tubman reorganized these provinces into counties. Central Province became what is known as Nimba County. Before the

First Liberian Civil War The First Liberian Civil War was the first of Second Liberian Civil War, two civil wars within the West African nation of Liberia which lasted between 1989 and 1997. President Samuel Doe's regime of totalitarianism and widespread Political cor ...

broke out in 1989, the county had a population of over 310,000 people. The top executive in the counties is a County Superintendent, appointed by the president of the county. The current County Superintendent, D. Dorr Cooper, who is the chief administrative officer, was appointed by President

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ellen Eugenia Johnson Sirleaf (born 29 October 1938) is a Liberian politician who served as the 24th president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018. Sirleaf was the first elected female head of state in Africa. Sirleaf was born in Monrovia to a Gol ...

in 2017. He was re-appointed in 2018 by President

George Weah George Manneh Oppong Weah (born 1 October 1966) is a Liberian politician and former professional Association football, footballer who served as the 25th president of Liberia from 2018 to 2024. Before his election for the presidency, Weah served ...

after a change in administrations.

National legislatures

The County is represented by two senators and by nine representatives in the bicameral Legislative Branch of Government. The two senators currently serving the citizens of Nimba County are

Senator A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or Legislative chamber, chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the Ancient Rome, ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior ...

Prince Yormie Johnson Prince Yormie Johnson (6 July 1952 – 28 November 2024) was a Liberian warlord and politician, who served as a senator for Nimba County from 2006 to 2024. Once a rebel leader, Johnson played a prominent role in the First Liberian Civil War. ...

and Senator Jeremiah K. Koung

Administrative Districts

According to the 2008 census, the 17 Administrative Districts in Nimba County have the following populations: *

Boe & Quilla District Boe & Quilla District is one of 17 sub-district of Nimba County, Liberia Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, Guin ...

(18,262) *

Buu-Yao District Buu-Yao District is one of 17 sub-district of Nimba County, Liberia Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, Guinea to ...

(40,007) *

Doe District Doe District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, Guinea to Guinea ...

(35,918) *

Garr Bain District Garr Bain District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, Guinea to G ...

(61,225) *

Gbehlay-Geh District Gbehlay-Geh District is one of 17 districts located in Nimba County, Liberia Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, G ...

(32,176) *

Gbi & Doru District Gbi & Doru District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, Guinea to ...

(8,131) *

Gbor District Gbor District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, Guinea to Guine ...

(10,875) *

Kparblee District Kparblee District is one of 17 Administrative Districts of Nimba County, Liberia. In 2008, the population was 11,424. It is located in Tappita Statutory District and situated along the Cestos River which borders Liberia with the Republic of C� ...

(11,424) *

Leewehpea-Mahn District Leewehpea-Mahn District is one of 17 Districts of Liberia, districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 24,747. References Districts of ...

(24,747) * Meinpea-Mahn District (24,157) * Sanniquellie-Mah District (25,370) * Twah River District (37,479) *

(37,479) * Wee-Gbehy-Mahn District (32,934) * Yarmein District (22,718) * Yarpea Mahn District (21,647) * Yarwein Mehnsonnoh District (25,584) * Zoe-Gbao District (29,372)

Electoral Districts

Since the 2008 census, there 9 electoral districts in Nimba County: *Nimba District 1

*Nimba District 2

, Sanniquellie-Mahn District and Yarpea Mahn District *Nimba District 3

, Gbehley-Geh District and Yarmein District *Nimba District 4

and Twah River District *Nimba District 5

*Nimba District 6

, Gblor District, Doe District and

*Nimba District 7 Zoe-Gbao District and Wee-Gbehy-Mahn District *Nimba District 8

Leewehpea-Mahn District Leewehpea-Mahn District is one of 17 Districts of Liberia, districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 24,747. References Districts of ...

and Meinpea-Mahn District *Nimba District 9

, Doe District and Yarwein-Mehnsonoh District

Iron ore

During the late 1950s,

iron ore Iron ores are rocks and minerals from which metallic iron can be economically extracted. The ores are usually rich in iron oxides and vary in color from dark grey, bright yellow, or deep purple to rusty red. The iron is usually found in the f ...

was found in "the Iron Mountain"

. In a joint venture among the Liberian Government, US

Bethlehem Steel The Bethlehem Steel Corporation was an American steelmaking company headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Until its closure in 2003, it was one of the world's largest steel-producing and shipbuilding companies. At the height of its success ...

, and the Swedish mining company Gränges, a huge project was set up: LAMCO (Liberian American Company). The project contributed to economic and social development in Liberia for 30 years. It built the necessary infrastructure and operated mining, transporting ore by rail to the port of Buchanan, from where it was exported to other markets. Corruption was minimal and political stability improved. During this period, Liberia was classified among the most progressive countries in Africa. In 1980 civil war erupted between tribal factions. Nimba county was devastated by the

civil war A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same Sovereign state, state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies.J ...

that followed. The iron ore had been degrading in quality, and world prices had plunged in this period. The combination led to a dismantling of the LAMCO project. Since the end of the Civil War (which lasted for more than a decade), there are discussions about renewing mining at Nimba is finally getting better.

Arcelor-Mittal ArcelorMittal S.A. is a Luxembourg-based multinational steel manufacturing corporation, headquartered in Luxembourg City. It is ranked second on the list of steel producers behind Baowu, and had an annual crude steel production of 58 million ...

, a European-Indian steel business, is committed to reopening the iron mine at Nimba Mountain, outside the former company town of Yekepa. Hospitals and schools built and financed by LAMCO are now being run by ArcelorMittal. The houses which were built by LAMCO have partly been rehabilitated by ArcelorMittal, though many had been overtaken by rainforest development. BHP Billiton has engaged in an extraction agreement with the Government of Liberia to mine ore in Nimba. As such, they are active promoters of

education Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education als ...

scholarship A scholarship is a form of Student financial aid, financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, Multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion, athleti ...

and, for the most part, human resources.

Demographics

The main ethnic groups in Nimba County are the Dan, also known as Gio and the Mano. The Dan, commonly known as the Gio, live closer to the

border. In that French-speaking country, they are known as the Yacouba. The Mano live closer to the

Guinea Guinea, officially the Republic of Guinea, is a coastal country in West Africa. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Guinea-Bissau to the northwest, Senegal to the north, Mali to the northeast, Côte d'Ivoire to the southeast, and Sier ...

border. There are also indigenous minority groups, such as Krahn, Gbi, and Doru. Small Kpelle and Bassa settlements are located near the borders of Bong County and Grand Bassa County, respectively. These are the historical indigenous peoples of Nimba County who have settled in towns and villages. Various ethnic groups from other parts of Liberia, such as the Mandingo people, have also settled here. They are indigenous people of Lofa County, Guinea, and the Côte d'Ivoire. Other tribal peoples include the Lorma from Lofa. Since the early 20th century, people from all parts of West Africa have settled in Nimba. The ethnic Dan (Gio) owns and lives in these areas: Gbehlay-Geh Statutory District, Zoe-Geh Statutory District, and Tappita Statutory District. The main towns are Karnplay City, Bahn City, Tappitta City, Baylehglay, Buutuo, Garplay, Toweh Town, Graie, Gbloulay, et cetera. The Man (or Mano) ethnic groups own and live in the Sanniquellie Mah Statutory District, the Saclepea Mah Statutory District, and the Yahwin-Mehnsonnoh Statutory District. The main towns are Sanniquellie City, Ganta City, Saclepea City, Flumpa, Zekepa, Kanwin, Yekepa, and others. The ethnic Krahn live along the Ivory Coast border in Kpeahbleee District. The main towns are Zoudru, Behwoaloa, Yourpea Old Town, Yourpea New Town, et cetera. The other ethnic indigenous groups, the Gbi and Doru, live along the border of Grand Bassa and Rivercess counties. Their main towns are Glann Town, Camp One, Kidka's Town, and Torkpor's Town. The Gio and the Mano ethnic group together are referred to as the Dan and are closely related tribes. The Dan people also live in Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea. The Dan language is related to the

Mande Mande may refer to: * Mandé peoples of western Africa * Mande languages, their Niger-Congo languages * Manding languages, Manding, a term covering a subgroup of Mande peoples, and sometimes used for one of them, Mandinka people, Mandinka * Garo p ...

group of African languages.

has become the second-largest city in the country. Its population has grown as has its business class.

Healthcare

Access to quality healthcare in Nimba is lacking for many residents. As of 2008, the hospital in Yekepa built by LAMCO, is currently being run by

. In

, the County Referral Hospital is the George Way Harley Hospital. It is solely sponsored by the Ministry of Health, Nimba County. The county health officer is Dr. Collins S. Bowah, and the medical director of the County Referral Hospital is Dr. Lavela B. Kortimai, Jr. at Ganta. The Methodist Church runs a

private hospital A private hospital is a hospital not owned by the government, including for-profit and non-profit hospitals. Funding is by patients themselves ("self-pay"), by insurers, or by foreign embassies. Private hospitals are commonly part, albeit in var ...

. E and J Hospital opened in 2016 in Ganta, Nimba County. In Saclepea, the Government of Liberia and Africare jointly operate Saclepea Comprehensive Health Center. There are 74 functional health facilities in Nimba County, of which there is one regional referral: Jackson F. Doe Hospital.

References

External links

Place name codes
* http://www.liberianobserver.com/node/9038 – Nimba/Grand Gedeh peace initiative * http://www.necliberia.org/pg_img/NImba_Electoral_Districts__Updated_Details.pdf {{Authority control Counties of Liberia 1964 establishments in Liberia