Maryland

The territory spans from the Atlantic coast to the Appalachian highlands, encompassing the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries across 12,400 square miles (32,100 square kilometers) with varied landscapes from coastal plains to mountain ridges.

Founded in 1634 by Lord Baltimore as refuge for English Catholics, the colony ratified the Constitution in 1788 as the seventh state and played a crucial border state role between North and South during the Civil War.

The state maintains a strong maritime identity through its shipping heritage, fisheries and Chesapeake Bay culture, which shapes regional cuisine and local traditions.

Major East Coast transportation corridors run through the area with access via Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Amtrak connections between Boston and Washington. Peak visiting periods are spring and fall for milder temperatures and lower humidity.

Fort McHenry in Baltimore inspired Francis Scott Key to write the American national anthem in 1814 after witnessing the flag still flying following a British naval bombardment.

Location: United States

Inception: April 28, 1788

Capital city: Annapolis

Elevation above the sea: 105 m

Reference: MD

Part of: contiguous United States, South Atlantic states, Mid-Atlantic

Shares border with: Delaware, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania

Website: https://maryland.gov

GPS coordinates: 39.51624,-76.93821

Latest update: December 14, 2025 19:34