Liberia is divided into fifteen counties, which, in turn, are subdivided into a total of 90 districts and further subdivided into clans. The oldest counties are Grand Bassa and Montserrado, both founded in 1839 prior to Liberian independence. Gbarpolu is the newest county, created in 2001. Nimba is the largest of the counties in size at 11,551 km2 (4,460 sq mi), while Montserrado is the smallest at 1,909 km2 (737 sq mi).[46] Montserrado is also the most populous county with 1,144,806 residents as of the 2008 census.[46]

The fifteen counties are administered by superintendents appointed by the president. The Constitution calls for the election

of various chiefs at the county and local level, but these elections have not taken place since 1985 due to war and financial constraints.[47]

 

Below is the Map and list of counties along with their provincial capital cities.

Counties And Their Provincial Cities

Counties Capital Cities

Bomi Tubmanburg

Bong Gbarnga

Gbarpolu Bopulu

Grand Bassa Buchanan

Grand Cape Mount Robertsport

Grand Gedeh Zwedru

Grand Kru Barclayville

Lofa Voinjama

Margibi Kakata

Maryland Harper

Montserrado Bensonville

Nimba Sanniquellie

Rivercess Rivercess City

River Gee Fish Town

Sinoe Greenville

Major Ethnic Groups of Liberia

Below constitute major tribal groups inhabiting Liberia.

Mano

Mandingo

Bassa

Sapo

Gio

Krahn

Mende

Gola

Vai

Kissi

Grebo

Lorma

Kru

Gbandi

Kpelle

Belle

The population includes 16 indigenous ethnic groups and various foreign minorities. Indigenous people comprise about 95% of the population, the largest of which are Kpelle in central and western Liberia. Americo-Liberians, who are descendants of African-American settlers, make up 2.5%, and Congo people, descendants of repatriated Congo and Afro-Caribbean slaves who arrived in 1825, make up an estimated 2.5%. There is also a sizable number of Lebanese, Indians, and other West African nationals who make up significant part of Liberia’s business community.