- After Maryland became a state in 1788, the seal of Lord Baltimore continued to be used by the state …
In the early 1630s, King Charles I of England gave a man named Lord Baltimore the right to set up a colony in America. When the area later became a state, the name Maryland was chosen in honor of the king's wife, Queen Henrietta Maria (Mary). Although it is a rather small state, Maryland has a great variety of landscapes and lifestyles. There are major urban and industrial districts, as well as many rural areas that are rich with natural beauty. Annapolis is the capital. GeographyMaryland is located in an area of the United States often called the Middle Atlantic region. The total area of the state is 10,460 square miles (27,092 square kilometers). Maryland is bordered to the north by Pennsylvania, to the east by Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean, and to the west by West Virginia. To the south the Potomac River helps separate Maryland from West Virginia and Virginia. On the Maryland side of the Potomac, and surrounded by Maryland on three sides, is the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.). One of the state's most notable features is the Chesapeake Bay. This body of water juts into the state from the south, giving Maryland a great deal of shoreline. From east to west Maryland has several different types of landscape. A coastal plain merges into a rolling plateau. To the west of the plateau is a section of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Between those mountains and the Appalachian Mountains in the far west of the state is the Cumberland Valley. At 3,360 feet (1,024 meters), Backbone Mountain in the Appalachian Plateau is the highest point in the state. Plants and animalsThe black-eyed Susan, a yellowish flower with a dark center, is Maryland's state flower. The white oak, which is found throughout the state, is Maryland's official tree. Animals found in Maryland include white-tailed deer, black bears, wild turkeys, bald eagles, orioles, and some 27 species of snakes. The waters around Maryland are filled with marine life, including crabs and various types of fish. In the late summer, small, stinging jellyfish cause swimmers to avoid the waters of Chesapeake Bay. People and cultureWhen the first European settlers arrived in the area that is now Maryland they encountered Native Americans of the Algonquian family. The first Europeans were mostly from England, but soon others arrived as well. German-speaking farmers moved from Pennsylvania into western Maryland during the 1700s. Baltimore was a major 19th-century immigration center. British, German, Irish, Russian, Polish, Greek, Czech, and Italian people came to Maryland around that time. After the American Civil War, former slaves from the South moved north to Baltimore, where they joined a well-established community of blacks who had been free for several generations. At the beginning of the 21st century, African Americans made up more than a fourth of Maryland's population. CitiesBaltimore is Maryland's largest city, as well as the center of most cultural and recreational activities. Dundalk is one of Baltimore's largest suburbs. Annapolis is the capital of Maryland. It is located on the Severn River. The city is home to the United States Naval Academy. Hagerstown is an important manufacturing city in western Maryland. Silver Spring, College Park, and Bethesda are residential suburbs near Washington, D.C. RecreationSome activities enjoyed by Maryland residents and vacationers include sailing, fishing, duck and goose hunting, skiing, and whitewater rafting. Calvert Cliffs is a popular spot for beachcombing, while the Appalachian Trail is good for hiking. With its long shoreline, Chesapeake Bay is a popular summer tourist attraction. Baltimore is home to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, several museums, and some professional theaters. Professional sports teams include the Baltimore Orioles (baseball) and the Baltimore Ravens (football). The Preakness, the second race of the Triple Crown of horse racing, is held annually in Baltimore. EducationThe state's first public grade school opened in 1829 in Baltimore, with a high school established ten years later. The University of Maryland is the main state-sponsored institution for higher learning. Its main campus is at College Park, with other branches in Baltimore and Princess Anne. One of the state's outstanding private schools is Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. EconomyManufacturingMaryland's economy depends greatly upon manufacturing. Food processing is an important industry, as is the making of transportation equipment (aircraft, ships, and automobiles). More than 40 percent of the state contains forests, making timber another major industry. Agriculture and fishingAbout 40 percent of Maryland is farmland. Cows and pigs are raised throughout the state. Tobacco is grown in some southern regions. Other crops include corn, wheat, soybeans, melons, apples, peaches, and sweet potatoes. The state is the nation's top provider of crabs, as well as several kinds of fish. At one time the bay was a good source of oysters, but pollutants (things that harm the water) have pushed the oyster beds elsewhere. Government employmentThe largest employer in Maryland is the United States government. Most of these employees live in counties near Washington, D.C. HistoryEarly yearsRoving hunters were known to have been in the Maryland area some 10,000 years ago. Native Americans established permanent villages by 1000 AD. Most Indians in Maryland were Susquehanna or Algonquian. By the mid-1700s, the majority of Native Americans had moved farther west. European settlementCaptain John Smith, an English explorer and a leader of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia, was the first European to map the area, in 1608. In the early 1630s, Lord Baltimore began planning an American colony for Roman Catholics who wished to escape the restrictions placed on them by Protestants in England. Lord Baltimore died before reaching his goal, but his son (known as the second Lord Baltimore) took over. In 1649 Maryland passed America's first religious toleration act, bringing religious freedom to all Christians. StatehoodMany people from Maryland fought in the American Revolution. Following England's defeat, Maryland became the seventh state in the Union on April 28, 1788. In 1791, Maryland gave up some of its land and provided money to help form the District of Columbia. Because the nation's capital is within its borders, Maryland has always been a major center for government and military installations. American Civil WarAlthough Maryland remained part of the Union during the American Civil War, some of its residents owned slaves. Some Maryland men fought with the Southern states that had left the Union. Modern timesThe state had a strong economy during the 19th century because of its tobacco crops and the trading that took place at the port of Baltimore. The state continued to grow in the 20th century, as its retail and service industries expanded. The population grew more than 40 percent in the 20 years from 1960 to 1980. Population (2000 census), 5,296,486. |