Maryland is the 42^nd Largest among the United States, spanning an area of 9775 sq mi and water area of 2633 sq mi. It acquired statehood on April 28, 1788. Maryland is the 7^th state of the 50 United States of America. The state was named for Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of English King Charles I. Maryland is nicknamed The Old Line State. This nickname honors Maryland's regiments of the line, who fought with distinction in the American Revolution (1775-1783).

Geography of Maryland

Capital City: Annapolis
Population & Density: As per the 2004 census estimate, the population is above 5.5 million and its growing everyday. Population density is 541 persons per sq mi.
Largest cities: Baltimore, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Bowie, Rockville, Hagerstown, Annapolis, College Park, Salisbury, Cumberland.
Neighbor States: Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia.

State Facts:

Maryland Motto: Manly deeds, Womanly words.
State Symbols: Bird - Baltimore Oriole, Fish - The rockfish, Flower - Black-Eyed Susan , Tree - White Oak, Song - "Maryland, My Maryland" written by James Ryder

Economy of Maryland

Personal income per Capita - $25,614 (Recent census - 1999)
Agriculture - Seafood, Poultry and Eggs, Dairy Products, Nursery Stock, Cattle, Soybeans, Corn.
Industry - Electric Equipment, Food Processing, Chemical Products, Printing and Publishing, Transportation Equipment, Machinery, Primary Metals, Coal, Tourism.

History of Maryland

Maryland became the 7^th state to join the new country, with Annapolis as the state capital. In 1791, Washington D.C. was created from land donated by Maryland, and became the nation's permanent capital.In 1919, Congress passed the prohibition law, prohibiting the manufacturing, selling and transporting of alcoholic beverages. Maryland opposed the law, because it violated their state's rights. Because of this, they were known as the Free State. After World War II, Maryland improved its transportation systems. BWI Airport opened and many bridges, tunnels, and highways were built. When the Supreme Court ruled segregation in schools as unconstitutional in 1954, Maryland changed the fastest of all the southern states by integrating schools and neighborhoods. Several school systems were expanded.

The Maryland flag contains the family crest of the Calvert and Crossland families. Maryland was founded as an English colony in 1634 by Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore. The black and Gold designs belong to the Calvert family. The red and white design belongs to the Crossland family. Flag adopted 1904.

Famous people of Maryland

Eubie Blake (1883-1983) Ragtime musician and composer who wrote "The Charleston Rag," in 1899,was born in Baltimore.
Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) Abolitionist leader who was born a slave in Maryland.
John Wilkes Booth (1838-1865) The assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, was born in Bel Air.
Clara Barton (1821-1912) Founded the American Red Cross, with headquarters located in a home in Glen Echo.

Interesting Facts about Maryland

• The first dental school in the United States opened at the University of Maryland.
• Baltimore was home to the nation's first umbrella factory, the first coal-burning steam engine in 1830, and elevated electric railway in 1893.
• On June 24, 1784, from Baltimore, 13-year-old Edward Warren flew in the first successful manned balloon launch in the United States.
• The Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use.