Map of Maryland

The official flag of Maryland has the black and gold design which is the coat of arms of the Calvert family and the red and white design which is the coat of arms of the Crossland family.

About Maryland

Located in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, Maryland is the 42nd most extensive state in the country. With some 6,006,401 people living in the state as per the 2015 estimate, Maryland is also the 19th most populous state in the country. The capital of Maryland is Annapolis, while Baltimore is the largest city in the state. Maryland comprises 24 counties and county-equivalents. Maryland is also referred to by its nicknames of the Old Line State, Free State, Little America and America in Miniature.

Maryland Counties

There are a total of twenty-three counties in Maryland. The largest county in Maryland is Worcester County and the smallest is Kent County. Check this Maryland County Map which locates all the counties of Maryland on the map.

History of Maryland

In 1632, the monarch for England, Scotland and Ireland Charles I granted a royal charter for Maryland to Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore and the new colony got its name from Henrietta Maria of France who was the wife of Charles I. In 1634, Lord Baltimore’s first settlers began to move to the colony. During the American Revolution, Maryland was one of the thirteen colonies that revolted against the rule of the British. Maryland was the seventh state to be admitted to the Union on April 28, 1788. The bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 when the British made an attempt to capture Baltimore inspired Francis Scott to write the Star-Spangled Banner. The song, later on, became the national anthem of the United States. During the American Civil War, Maryland remained with the Union. The new state constitution of 1864 did away with slavery.

Geography of Maryland

Maryland covers an area of 12,406.68 square miles. Maryland shares its borders with Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C, Pennsylvania and Delaware. With a height of 3,360, Hoye-Crest is the highest point in the state. Some prominent mountains in the state are Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland Heights, South Mountain, Sliding Hill, and Backbone Mountain, among others. Some famous rivers of the state are the Potomac River, Nanticoke River, Anacostia, Casselman River, Rock Creek, and others. A large number of white-tailed deer can be found in the state. Some mammals that can be spotted here are black bears, bobcats, raccoons, and foxes, among others.

Travel Destinations in Maryland

Visitors can catch a glimpse of the history of America’s railroad at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum. Visited by hundreds of tourists, Antietam National Battlefield is the location of the American Civil War’s bloodiest one day battle. Assateague State Park is a popular destination for swimming and surfing and watching exotic wildlife. Other places worth visiting are Baltimore Inner Harbor, Rocks State Park, William Paca House and Garden, and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, among others.

Transportation in Maryland

Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is the main airport in the state. Rail service is provided by Amtrak which has stations in Cumberland, Aberdeen, and Rockville, among others. Some prominent Interstate Highways that pass through the state are Interstates 68, 70, 81, 83, and 95, to name a few.

Education in Maryland

Maryland is home to many prestigious universities and colleges. Some prominent ones include Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland, Towson University, Morgan State University, and Loyola University Maryland among others.

Interesting Facts About Maryland

• Maryland is also considered as the birthplace of religious freedom in America.
• Washington, D.C was established on a piece of land that was donated by Maryland.
• Spanish is the second most spoken language in Maryland. The first is English.