The southern and eastern most county of Liberia's 13 counties*, Maryland County (http://www.liberian-connection.com/lib_mapnew.gif) shares a border with Cote d'Ivoire. It was first established as an African Republic in 1827 but was not granted independence until 1854. In 1857, what was then the Republic of Maryland (http://flagspot.net/flags/lr-my.html#old) united with the country of Liberia to become Maryland County, Liberia. The county comprises some 5,350 sq. km., its capital city is Harper (http://www.calle.com/world/LI/13/Harper.html), also known as Cape Palmas, and the UN Humanitarian Assistance Coordinating Office, Liberia, reports that as of 1999, the county's estimated population was 71,977.

Due to years of civil unrest in the country**, only Harper, Buah, and Plebo are consistently recognized as Provinces of Maryland County. Other disputed sources, also incude Lowe Kru Coast and Upper Kru Coast (became Grand Kru County in 1996), and Sasstown Territory.

The flag (http://flagspot.net/flags/lr-my.html) of Maryland County, Liberia, consists of a drawing of a tree and a lighthouse on a cliff with a small Liberian flag in the upper left corner.

External Links:

• CIA World Factbook (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/li.html) lists 15 counties: Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, and Sinoe.

• Doctors without Borders in Harper, Liberia (http://www.meistermed.com/MSF/liberia.htm) offers photos and one man's journal of the living conditions in Maryland County.