Shaping the Land

Frederick County is located in the center of Maryland. The Blue Ridge that starts near Emmitsburg in Frederick County stretches to the Potomac River and divides the county into two provinces, or areas: The APPALACHIANS on the west side and the PIEDMONT on the east. It is the ONLY county that borders both of these regions.

Piedmont: Triassic, Valley, Uplands

Piedmont: Triassic, Valley, Uplands

 This region is divided by rolling hills and valleys. Some rocks here (limestone) are thought to be over 450,000,000 years old. This area is divided into the Monocacy Valley, the Triassic Uplands, and the Piedmont Uplands. This region is home to Sugarloaf Mountain near Dickerson, MD.

 

Frederick County Regions

Frederick County divided into the Piedmont and the Appalachian Mountain: Blue Ridge regions.

Appalachians: Blue Ridge

Appalachians: Blue Ridge 

When you look at the mountain from a distance, this rugged mountain region of the county looks blue. The rocks here are harder than those in the Piedmont and are mostly metamorphic rocks formed and changed millions of years ago.

 

Geological Provinces

Frederick County divided into geological provinces with Piedmont divided.