The State of Maryland is divided into twenty-four
counties, and
Baltimore City:
*Anne Arundel County contains the city of Annapolis, which is the capital of Maryland.
** Baltimore City is unique in Maryland because it is not part of any county; do not confuse it with Baltimore County, which borders it but does not contain it. Baltimorians from the City often refer to Baltimore County as "The County".
*** Washington County has nothing to do with Washington, DC, except that both are named after the first President of the United States, George Washington. Geographically, Washington County, Maryland is nowhere near Washington, DC, although Washington, DC borders the State of Maryland. Washington, DC, which borders both Maryland and Virginia, is not part of any state, although it is built on land which used to belong to Maryland.