Maryland County is one of the fifteen counties of the Republic of Liberia. Its political capital is Harper (also known as Cape Palmas), a historic coastal city in southeastern Liberia.
Our history
Maryland County’s history dates back to 1834, when the Maryland State Colonization Society of the United States established the area as a settlement for freed American slaves. In its early years Maryland was a separate state; in 1857 it became one of the original four counties of the Republic of Liberia.
Geography and people
The county lies in southeastern Liberia, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and the Cavalla River to the east (the international border with Côte d’Ivoire). It covers about 5,351 km² (roughly 6% of Liberia’s land area), with elevation ranging from sea level to about 248 meters at Wuluke.
Maryland comprises seven administrative districts and four electoral districts, with 15 chiefdoms and 26 clans. According to the 2022 LISGIS census, the county population is about 172,587. The largest districts by population include Pleebo/Sodoken and Harper. The Grebo are the predominant ethnic group, and the county has one of Liberia’s higher urbanization rates.
Local government mandate
County administration operates under the Local Government Act of 2018 (Title 20), which advances Liberia’s National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance. The Act provides for:
- Democratic participation and citizen influence over local decisions
- Political, administrative, and fiscal structures for local government
- Revenue sources to support county operations and devolved services
- A County Council with regulatory, representative, and confirmatory roles
- County Administration led by the County Superintendent and key officers (administration, finance, development, and departmental heads)
Under the Act, county authorities collaborate to manage local affairs, collect revenues, undertake public works, allocate resources, and implement programs for residents.
Development direction 2025–2029
Maryland’s medium-term priorities are set out in the County Development Agenda (CDA) 2025–2029, aligned with the national ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) of His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. ARREST focuses on Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism.
The CDA guides investment across six AAID pillars, including economic transformation, infrastructure, rule of law, governance and anti-corruption, environmental sustainability, and human capital development—with prioritized programs and interventions to improve roads, water, agriculture, tourism, and public services for Marylanders.
Sources: Maryland County Development Agenda 2025–2029; Local Government Act of 2018.