On October 2, 2015, the President of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit decreed the creation of Jonglei State along with 27 other states replacing 10 previous states. Jonglei comprises three counties of Bor, Twic East and Duk and is the largest state by area, with approximately 122,581 km², as well as the most populous according to the controversial 2008 census conducted during present-day South Sudan's second period of autonomy. Bor is the capital of the state.