Gbarpolu is a in the northern portion of Liberia, it has six districts. Bopulu serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring 3,741 sq. miles. Created in 2001 when it was split from Lofa County, Gbarpolu is the youngest county in Liberia. 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 majority of Gbarpolu County consists of forest. Mining (gold and diamond) is the primary economic activity prior to the Liberian Civil War, in addition to subsistence farming.