Maryland

Maryland’s elevation rises from sea level (Atlantic Ocean) to 3,360’ (Hoye-Crest). 

Maryland is 21% water.

Maryland was likely named for Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of King Charles I; Cecil Calvert, the 2^nd Lord Baltimore, received the grant of the colony in 1632 and called it Terra Mariae (Maria’s land), which became Mariland, and later Maryland.

From Nov. 1783 to June 1784, Annapolis was the site of the Continental Congress, becoming the only state capital to serve as the U.S. capital.

Maryland map showing cutout for Wash. DC

In 1791, both Maryland and Virginia donated land to be the U.S. capital (i.e. the District of Columbia).  In 1847, VA took its share back.  MD sympathies were split during the Civil War and, after VA seceded, Union troops occupied MD cities to keep Wash, D.C., from being surrounded by the Confederacy.

The Battle of Antietam, fought in MD, was the deadliest battle on a single day in U.S. history – nearly 23,000 Union and Southern soldiers were killed.

Antietam casualties

MD has one of the most diverse Hispanic populations in the U.S.

MD is the only state whose judges wear red robes.

Maryland's capitol

MD’s 3^rd capitol was built in 1772 and is the oldest U.S. capitol still in use by its state government.  The capitol has the oldest and largest wooden dome in the U.S. built without nails.  It’s topped by an acorn that supports a lightning rod designed by Ben Franklin.

College Park Airport is the world’s oldest continuously operating airport, est. in 1909 when Wilbur Wright came to train WWI pilots.

MD has an official state sport (jousting).

Jousting in Maryland