Lofa County
Encyclopedia
Lofa is a county
in the northernmost portion of the West Africa
n nation of Liberia
. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division
in the nation, it has six districts
. Voinjama
serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring 9982 square kilometre. As of the 2008 Census, it had a population of 270,114, making it the fourth most populous county in Liberia.
Lofa's County Superintendent is Galakpai Kortimai. The county is bordered by Bong County
to the south and Gbarpolu County
to the west. The northwestern parts of Lofa border the nation of Sierra Leone
and the northeaster parts border Guinea
. Mount Wuteve
, the highest mountain in Liberia, lies in the north-central part of the county.
. The Red Cross said that in January 2004 many people had begun to return from refugee camps in neighbouring Guinea
and Sierra Leone
. At that time the county's population was estimated to be 34,310. The largest city and county capital is Voinjama
with a population of 4,945. Foya
is the second largest city (population 1,760). Lofa produced one of the nations most respected leaders is the late vice president Dr. Harry Moniba
.
Counties of Liberia
||There are 15 counties in Liberia, as of 2008.-External links:** Comprehensive resource about counties and districts of Liberia....
in the northernmost portion of the West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
n nation of Liberia
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...
. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division
Administrative division
An administrative division, subnational entity, or country subdivision is a portion of a country or other political division, established for the purpose of government. Administrative divisions are each granted a certain degree of autonomy, and are required to manage themselves through their own...
in the nation, it has six districts
Districts of Liberia
The counties of Liberia are subdivided into districts.*Bomi County**Dewoin District**Klay District**Mecca District**Senjeh District*Bong County**Fuamah District**Jorquelleh District**Kokoyah District**Panta-Kpa District**Salala District...
. Voinjama
Voinjama
Voinjama is a small city that serves as the capital of Lofa County, Liberia and is located in the hilly, far northern part of the country near the Guinea border....
serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring 9982 square kilometre. As of the 2008 Census, it had a population of 270,114, making it the fourth most populous county in Liberia.
Lofa's County Superintendent is Galakpai Kortimai. The county is bordered by Bong County
Bong County
Bong is a county in the north-central 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 twelve districts. Gbarnga serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring...
to the south and Gbarpolu County
Gbarpolu County
Gbarpolu is a county in the northern 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 six districts. Bopulu serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring...
to the west. The northwestern parts of Lofa border the nation of 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...
and the northeaster parts border Guinea
Guinea
Guinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
. Mount Wuteve
Mount Wuteve
Mount Wuteve is a mountain located in Liberia, whose summit is the highest point in Liberia. It is located in the Guinea Highlands range, whose parent range is the West Africa Mountains. Data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission reveals that the correct altitude of its summit is 1,440 meters,...
, the highest mountain in Liberia, lies in the north-central part of the county.
History
As of the 1984 Census, the county had a population of 199,242. Many people left the area as refugees in 1999 and the early 2000s as it became a main focus of fighting during the Liberian civil warSecond Liberian Civil War
The Second Liberian Civil War began in 1999 when a rebel group backed by the government of neighbouring Guinea, the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy , emerged in northern Liberia. In early 2003, a second rebel group, the Movement for Democracy in Liberia, emerged in the south, and...
. The Red Cross said that in January 2004 many people had begun to return from refugee camps in neighbouring Guinea
Guinea
Guinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
and 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...
. At that time the county's population was estimated to be 34,310. The largest city and county capital is Voinjama
Voinjama
Voinjama is a small city that serves as the capital of Lofa County, Liberia and is located in the hilly, far northern part of the country near the Guinea border....
with a population of 4,945. Foya
Foya
Foya is a town in the Foya District of Lofa County, Liberia.Foya is located 66 kilometers from Voinjama, it is home to the Kissi-speaking tribes of Liberia. Foya shares border with Sierra Leone and Guinea, it is the major trade link for the people in the far north of Lofa County...
is the second largest city (population 1,760). Lofa produced one of the nations most respected leaders is the late vice president Dr. Harry Moniba
Harry Moniba
Dr. Harry Fumba Moniba was a politician in Liberia hailing from the northeastern county of Lofa. He was the vice-president of Liberia from 1984 to September 1990 under the banner of the National Democratic Party of Liberia and ran for president in 1997...
.
Districts
Districts of Lofa County include (2008 population):- Foya DistrictFoya DistrictFoya District is one of six districts located in Lofa County, Liberia....
(71,364) - Kolahun DistrictKolahun DistrictKolahun District is the largest administrative district of Lofa County in Liberia. It has an estimated population of 26,827. Kolahun was the scene of heavy fighting between government troops and rebels during Liberia's second civil war, causing massive shifts in population and destruction of...
(59,057) - Salayea DistrictSalayea DistrictSalayea District is one of six districts located in Lofa County, Liberia....
(22,968) - Vahun DistrictVahun DistrictVahun District is one of six districts located in Lofa County, Liberia....
(16,876) - Voinjama DistrictVoinjama DistrictVoinjama District is one of six districts located in Lofa County, Liberia....
(40,730) - Zorzor DistrictZorzor DistrictZorzor District is one of six districts located in Lofa County, Liberia. Zorzor is principal city of the county....
(40,352)