Maryland

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For other places with the same name, see Maryland (disambiguation).

Maryland [1] is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America. It is characterized by diversity, including both sea and mountain, urban and rural, historic and modern opportunities for the visitor. One of its nicknames is "America in Miniature" because it has a little bit of everything. Maryland is bordered by the states of Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia.

[edit] Regions

• Capital Region -- Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties
• Central Maryland -- including Baltimore and Annapolis
• Eastern Shore -- Featuring the beach resort of Ocean City
• Southern Maryland -- Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties
• Western Maryland -- Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties

[edit] Cities

• Annapolis
• Baltimore
• Bethesda
• College Park
• Cumberland
• Frederick
• Hagerstown
• Ocean City
• St. Marys City

[edit] Other destinations

• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Assateague Island National Seashore
• Catoctin Mountain Park
• Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
• Cunningham Falls State Park
• Gambrill State Park
• Greenbelt Park
• Rocky Gap State Park
• Seneca Creek State Park

[edit] Understand

The largest and most well known geographic feature of Maryland is the Chesapeake Bay, the world's largest estuary. At one time it was called the world's protein basket because it produced so much seafood in the form of fish and shellfish, in particular its most famous product, Blue Crabs. Today the bay is a poster child for what happens from overfishing and pollution, but Maryland leads the country in many progressive "Save the Bay" programs to save wetlands, and halt the flow of pollutants from the more than 12 million people who live in its watershed from Pennsylvania to Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay is a magnet for sailing and fishing sports activities.

The state is bounded to the south by the Potomac River, which offers opportunities for boating, and bicycling along the disused Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail, leading from Washington (D.C.) to Cumberland.

The western part of the state is much more mountainous than the eastern lowlands, and offers hiking along the Appalachian Trail, whitewater recreation in the Youghiogheny River, and historical sites such as Antietam Battlefield, where the events of the bloodiest single day in American history unfolded.

Ocean City offers an economy that caters to the huge seasonal influx of beach-goers. It has an odd charm in the winter, with discounted hotels, deserted beaches and empty restaurants.

[edit] Geography and Climate

The state crosses many different geographical zones, from the low, sandy barrier islands of the Atlantic Coast to the fertile, lowlands of the Chesapeake Basin, which rise into the foothills of the Piedmont, and eventually the rugged terrain of the Appalachian Mountains. Maryland has been called "America in Minature" because of the great difference of landscape one can experience in such a small area.

The climate of Maryland varies as much as its topography. The lower elevation Atlantic Coastal Plain, which surrounds the Chesapeake Bay and includes the major cities of Baltimore, Annapolis, and Salisbury has a mild subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and cool winters with very little snow. As one moves away from the Bay and higher in elevation, the climate becomes more continental, with milder summers and colder winters. In the mountains of the west summers are cool, and winters can be very cold with heavy snows. The mountains protect the eastern half of Maryland from much of the harsh winter weather experienced in the Great Lakes region.

[edit] Talk

[edit] Get in

Airplane: Many international and domestic flights arrive into the states's main airport, Baltimore-Washington International (BWI). Many air travelers to Maryland arrive at Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD), both located in northern Virginia. In addition, regional flights can be booked to Hagerstown (HGR), and Salisbury.

Train: Amtrak trains arrive at stations in Aberdeen, Baltimore, BWI, Cumberland, New Carrollton, Rockville, and Salisbury.

Car: Maryland is served by several main Interstate highways, and a number of other routes enter the state. Interstates 68 and 70 are the main east-west interstate highways in the state, and Interstates 81, 83, 95 and 97 are major north-south routes. In addition, US Routes 219, 220, 29, 11, 15, 1, and 13 are major north-south arteries.

[edit] Get around

• Maryland Transit Authority [2] for bus, light rail, subway, and MARC commuter train information.
• Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Central Maryland are served by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (METRO) [3]

[edit] See

[edit] Do

• Maryland Rennaissance Festival Crownsville, MD. Phone: (800) 296-7304. http://www.rennfest.com/ Celebrating its 30th year as of 2006, the Rennaissance Festival is held every fall on the weekends (and Labor Day) between the last weekend of August and the third weekend of October.

[edit] Eat

[edit] Drink

Beer lovers will want to try a few of the state's great craft brews. Wild Goose and Blue Ridge Ales are among the most popular. Both brands offer a variety of styles - stouts, porters, ales, ESBs, IPAs,and Goldens. Also, Clipper City, Deep Creek, and Foggy Bottom are brands worth sampling.

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Get out

• Washington (D.C.)

WikiPedia:Maryland

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