Maryland County

Maryland County is a county in the southeastern region of Liberia. One of the country’s 15 counties, it is bordered by Grand Kru County to the west, River Gee County to the north, and Côte d’Ivoire to the east, with the Cavalla River forming part of the international boundary. The county’s capital is Harper, while Pleebo is its largest city. As of the 2022 census, Maryland County had a population of 172,202.

The area was established in 1834 as a colony of the Maryland State Colonization Society and later became the independent Republic of Maryland in 1854. Following conflict with indigenous groups, the republic was annexed by Liberia in 1857 and became Maryland County.

The county’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, with most residents engaged in subsistence farming. Other economic activities include fishing, small-scale trade, and cross-border commerce with Côte d’Ivoire. Despite its economic potential, development in the county is constrained by limited infrastructure and high levels of poverty.

Maryland was first established as a colony of the Maryland State Colonization Society in 1834,^[3] but was not granted independence until 1854. The Maryland Society had played a pivotal role in the formation of the larger American Colonization Society years before. Following a referendum in 1853, the colony declared its independence from the Colonization Society across the Atlantic Ocean and formed the Republic of Maryland. It held the land along the south coast between the Grand Cess and San Pedro Rivers.

In 1856, the Republic of Maryland requested military aid from nearby Liberia in a war with the Grebo and Kru peoples who were resisting the Maryland settlers' efforts to control their trade in slaves. Liberian President Joseph Jenkins Roberts assisted the Marylanders, and a joint military campaign resulted in victory. Following a referendum in February 1857 the Republic of Maryland joined Liberia as Maryland County on 6 April 1857.

During the 1970s, Maryland County experienced a series of ritual killings. The crimes have been regarded as "Liberia's most notorious ritual killing case" due to the number of murders, the involvement of high-ranking government officials, and their subsequent public executions.^[4]

In 1984, the territorial boundaries of Maryland County were altered when the Kru Coast Territory, previously administered as part of the county, was detached and merged with the Sasstown Territory of Sinoe County to form Grand Kru County. The reorganization was implemented under People’s Redemption Council (PRC) Decree No. 87, which abolished the two territories and established Grand Kru County with Barclayville as its capital.^[5]

Maryland County is located in southeastern Liberia, along the Atlantic coast. It is bordered by Grand Kru County to the west, River Gee County to the north, and Côte d’Ivoire to the east, with the Cavalla River forming part of the international boundary.

The county covers an area of 2,297 square kilometres (887 sq mi) and features a coastal landscape characterized by beaches, lagoons, and low-lying plains. Inland areas consist of rolling hills and forested terrain typical of Liberia’s tropical rainforest zone.

Maryland County experiences a tropical climate with high temperatures and significant rainfall throughout much of the year. The rainy season generally extends from May to October, while the dry season occurs from November to April.

Maryland County hosts several of southeastern Liberia’s major educational institutions. The county’s principal institution of higher learning is the William V. S. Tubman University, located in Harper. The university traces its origins to the William V. S. Tubman College of Technology, established in 1978, and was elevated to full university status in 2009.^[6]

In addition to the university, the Ministry of Education identifies several key secondary schools in the county, including Pleebo Central High School, Barraken High School, and Cape Palmas High School. These schools serve as major public and mission-based institutions providing junior and senior secondary education across Maryland County.^[7]

Maryland County is also the site of the Maryland County Technical and Vocational Educational Institute, part of a national technical and vocational education and training (TVET) expansion program initiated by the Government of Liberia. The institute is intended to provide skills-focused training in trades and technical fields to support workforce development in the county.^[8]

The Ministry of Education and county education authorities identify several major secondary and vocational institutions operating in Maryland County. These include:

• William V. S. Tubman University – Harper^[9]
• Pleebo Central High School – Pleebo^[10]
• Barraken High School – Barraken^[11]
• Cape Palmas High School – Harper/Cape Palmas area^[12]
• Maryland County Technical and Vocational Educational Institute – Harper District^[13]
• J. J. Dossen High School – Harper
• Our Lady of Grace School – Pleebo
• St. Stephen High School – Harper
• Big F Line High School – Pleebo-Sodoken District

These schools form the core of the county’s public, mission, and vocational education network.

Maryland County is traditionally divided into four administrative districts: Harper District, Barrobo District, Pleebo/Sodoken District, and Karluway District.^[14]

According to the Maryland County Development Agenda (2025–2029), the county is further subdivided into additional administrative and electoral units for planning and governance purposes, resulting in a more detailed breakdown of districts and sub-districts.^[15]

The economy of Maryland County is primarily based on agriculture, which constitutes the main livelihood for the majority of the population. Subsistence farming dominates economic activity, with key crops including rice, cassava, oil palm, rubber, coffee, and maize.^[15]

In addition to agriculture, economic activity includes fisheries, small-scale trade, and natural resource extraction. Mining and extractive industries, including iron ore, contribute to the local economy, while many residents are engaged in informal sector activities such as petty trading and commercial motorbike transport.^[15]

Maryland County’s location along the border with Côte d’Ivoire supports cross-border trade, particularly in agricultural goods and basic consumer products. The county has been identified as having potential for private-sector investment in agriculture, animal husbandry, tourism, and commerce.^[15]

Economic development is constrained by limited infrastructure, particularly poor road networks and weak farm-to-market access, which restrict trade and agricultural productivity. High unemployment and poverty levels, especially among youth, remain significant challenges.^[15]

Transportation in Maryland County is limited and largely dependent on road networks, which are often in poor condition. Many areas of the county lack reliable road infrastructure, and inadequate farm-to-market roads restrict the movement of goods and access to markets.^[15]

Motorcycle transport, commonly referred to as commercial motorbike or "pen-pen" services, is a primary means of local transportation, particularly in rural areas where road access is limited.^[15]

The county’s transportation network includes road connections between major population centers such as Harper and Pleebo. In 2024, the National Transit Authority announced the reopening of the Harper–Pleebo route, reflecting efforts to improve public transportation and connectivity within the county.^[16]

Maryland County’s location along the border with Côte d’Ivoire provides opportunities for regional trade and movement of goods, although transportation infrastructure remains underdeveloped.^[15]

According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census conducted by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), Maryland County had a population of 172,202, an increase from 136,404 recorded in the 2008 census. The county has a relatively young population, consistent with national demographic trends in Liberia.^[17]

Maryland County is one of the more urbanized counties in Liberia, with approximately 61.5 percent of its population residing in urban areas.^[18]

The population is predominantly composed of members of the Grebo ethnic group, along with smaller populations of other indigenous groups in southeastern Liberia.^[15]

Household structures and livelihoods reflect the county’s largely agrarian economy, with many households engaged in subsistence farming and related activities.^[15]

The flag of Maryland County features a tree and a lighthouse on a coastal cliff, along with a small Liberian flag in the canton.

In 2007, WBAL-TV in Baltimore produced a documentary titled Africa's Maryland, which explored the historical and cultural connections between Maryland County and the U.S. state of Maryland.^[19][20]

• CIA World Factbook
• WBAL-TV's documentary, "Africa's Maryland"
• County Development Agenda Archived 2022-06-20 at the Wayback Machine
• Place name codes