LiberiaData

Created in 1984, Grand Kru County, located in Liberia, is a first-level administrative division with its capital is Barclayville.

Background and Introduction

Spanning 891 square miles, Grand Kru is one of Liberia’s 15 counties located along the southern Atlantic Coast of Liberia. The Western boundary is with Sinoe County. To the North is River Gee County and the Eastern boundary is with Maryland County. There are 2 Electoral Districts (ED) 1, and 2; and 19 Administrative Districts (Lower Jloh, Upper Jloh, Fenetoe, Bolloh, Dorbor, Forpoh, Wlogba, Dweh, Kpi, Gee, Buah, Nrokwia-Wesldow, Felo-Jekwi, Barclayville, Grand Cess Wedabo, Bleebo. Trenbo, Garraway and Penicess), comprising 37 Chiefdom and 67 Clans. County leadership is headed by a superintendent, while districts, townships, and boroughs are governed by representatives and senators, commissioners, and governors   respectively.

According to the 2022 census by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), the population stands at 109,342 made up of 56,999 males and 52,343 females representing 52.1% and 47.9.% respectively and 2.08% of the national population figure of 5,250,187.

The County’s flag has three colors: green, yellow and white. The flag has ten vertical stripes; four green, four yellow and two white, with a palm tree in the center. In the upper left-hand corner is the Liberian flag. The green represents the evergreen rain forest, the green vegetation and the savanna that represents the potential for huge private sector investment in the areas of logging and cattle breeding. The yellow depicts the long belt of gold deposits in the County, while the white represents purity.

Three major dialects are spoken in the County. These include Bassa (spoken by 1%), Grebo (spoken by the majority (65%), and Kru (spoken by 33%).

History

The creation of the County evolved from an understanding between members of the military junta and the People’s Redemption Council (PRC), which in 1980 overthrew the Administration of President William R. Tolbert and suspended the Constitution of Liberia. It happened that the Chairman of the PRC came from Grand Gedeh County; the Vice Chairman from Sinoe County; and the Commanding General from Nimba County. The Speaker of the Council, Major General Nicholas Podier felt that it was only fair that the area of the country from which he came should be recognized as a County as well. On April 12 1980, Decree number 87 was published by the Interim National Assembly, declaring Grand Kru County to be the area covering the eastern portion of Sinoe County, Sasstown Territory; the community between Maryland and then Grand Gedeh, Buah Statutory District; and the western half of Maryland County along the Atlantic Ocean, Kru Coast Territory.

The town of Barclayville, which was considered centrally-located despite its lack of basic facilities and infrastructure, was selected as the capital. Its selection was aimed at overcoming the traditional and political rivalry between the two former capitals of Grandcess and Sasstown, and is seen as a union between the coastal population, mainly Kru, and the people of the hinterland, the Grebo.

The County emblem, the flag, has three colors: green, yellow and white. The flag has ten vertical stripes; four green, four yellow and two white, with a palm tree in the center. In the upper left-hand corner is the Liberian flag. The green represents the evergreen rain forest, the green vegetation and the savanna that represents the potential for huge private sector investment in the areas of logging and cattle breeding. The yellow depicts the long belt of gold deposits in the County, while the white represents purity.

Climate

The geographic position of Grand Kru County near the equator and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean determine the County’s climatic condition. Average annual rainfall ranges between 107 inches in the Northern part of the County to 160 inches in the Southern part. The climate is characterized by little seasonal change in temperature and humidity, but by daily changes between day and night. The seasons (dry and rainy) are marked by variation in precipitation.

The rainy season runs from April to September while the dry season spans between October and March. Generally the wind blows from the Northeast during the dry season and from the Southwest during the rainy season. Due to the equatorial location of Grand Kru County, the sun is overhead almost all the year. Average annual temperature is 25.5ºC (77.5ºF).

Topography

The topography of Grand Kru is generally characterized by two major landforms: coastal plains and rolling hills. There are several hills, plains and valleys and one recognized mountain called Sawleh, in Dorboh Statutory District. There are many rivers, including Dorboh, Norh, Misnoh, Snoh, Neh, Chen, Barffor, Gen, and Gbatu, all with waterfalls. There is a lake in Sasstown called Trengbe.

Geology

The geological structure of Grand Kru County is typical of South-eastern Liberia, which is generally classified as having rock of the Eburnean age, generally biotite rich. The major tectonic feature is the Dube Shear Zone, which has potential for mineral exploration.
Soil types found in the County are reddish-brown soil and gray to black soil. These soil types support the growth of variety of tree crops such as rubber, oil palm, coffee and other crops such as corn and rice. The southern part of the County is characterized by sandy soil.

Vegetation

Forest resources in the County are vast and unexploited. Grassland includes a huge savannah spread over the coastal areas of the County suitable for animal husbandry.