Maryland (MD) is a relatively small state on the eastern coast of the USA, distinguished by its high population density. The state has a rich history that dates back to the colonial era, and is home to a number of major ports and the prestigious United States Naval Academy. Maryland’s capital is Annapolis, but its largest city is Baltimore. Interestingly, Maryland was one of the first states to increase the minimum wage.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Maryland Abbreviation MD Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore (Population: 565 239) Current time 15:00 Time zone EST (UTC-5), state observes Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) Population 6,177,253 (#18 most populous US state) Area 12,407 mi² (#42 largest US state) Admitted to the Union April 28, 1788 (#7 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Maryland
The capital of Maryland is Annapolis, which was originally founded as a settlement by Christian Puritans in 1649. The name refers to Anne Arundell, Baroness of Baltimore, the wife of Maryland’s founder. Annapolis became the capital in 1776, before Maryland entered the Union.
🏙️ Largest City in Maryland
The largest city in Maryland is Baltimore, with a population of 565,239 in 2023. The second most populous city is Frederick, with a population of 85,793, and the third most populous city is Gaithersburg, with 69,563..
🕒 Time in Maryland
The current time in Maryland is 15:00. The entire state is governed by Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5), with daylight saving time switching between March and November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Maryland
In 2023, Maryland had a recorded population of 6,177,253, ranking it as the 18th most populous state in the USA.
📍 Area of Maryland
Maryland’s total area is 12,407 mi², of which 9,774 mi² is land and 2,633 mi² is water. Maryland is the 42nd largest US state.
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Fun Facts About Maryland
🧩 Maryland Neighboring States
Maryland is bordered by four US states. West Virginia to the west, Pennsylvania to the north, Delaware to the east, and Virginia to the south.
📅 Date of Maryland Statehood
Maryland approved entry into the Union on April 28, 1788 as the 7th state in the order, the predecessor state being the Province of Maryland.
📛 Nickname of the State of Maryland
Maryland is most commonly known as the “Old Line State”, which can be loosely translated as the Old Military Line State. It is a commemoration of the soldiers of the Maryland Line unit of the American Revolutionary War, which gained a high reputation for its bravery. Probably the greatest credit for this goes to the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776, when the unit stood up to the much larger British army, allowing the rest of the Continental Army to retreat.
The other nickname used is “The Free State”, referring to the new Constitution of 1864, which abolished slavery. Later amendments to the constitution gave former slaves and non-white men the right to vote. Maryland thus became a free state.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Maryland
Maryland’s highest peak is with 3,360 ft Hoye-Crest, located near the border with West Virginia and part of the Allegheny Mountains.
🏞️ Rivers in Maryland
The longest river in Maryland is the Susquehanna River with a total flow length of 444 mi. It is followed by the Potomac River (302 mi), the Youghiogheny River (134 mi), the Patuxent River (115 mi), and the North Branch Potomac River (103 mi).
🎓 Universities in Maryland
Most students attend the University of Maryland, which operates several campuses across the state. The largest of these is the University of Maryland Global Campus with approximately 56,000 students. Other major universities in Maryland include Towson University and Morgan State University.
✉️ Maryland ZIP Codes
The state of Maryland has dedicated zip code ranges 206xx-212xx and 214xx-219xx. You can look up the ZIP code for a specific address on the USPS website, see the article ZIP Codes in the USA for more information.
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Weather in Maryland
The best time to visit Maryland is in early fall, when temperatures are pleasant and the trees are turning shades of red.
Spring in Maryland is mild, with temperatures ranging from 50°F to 68°F and frequent rainfall.
Maryland summers tend to be hot, with temperatures in June through August commonly exceeding 86°F. Rain showers and high humidity can spoil the pleasant weather.
Autumn in Maryland is marked by moderate cooling to 48°F to 57°F. The weather is favorable for outdoor activities and visits to the countryside.
Winter in Maryland tends to be mild, with temperatures usually around 32°F to 41°F. Snow showers are possible, but rain is more likely.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Maryland
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Things to Do in Maryland
1️⃣ Six Flags America theme park
Six Flags America is one of Maryland’s largest amusement parks and the perfect place for a family day trip. The park opened in 1974 and today offers more than twenty attractions, a large portion of which are roller coasters. In the summer months, water slides and water slides provide welcome refreshment, and several attractions are specifically designed for young children.
2️⃣ National Aquarium
The National Aquarium in Baltimore is one of the best and largest marine worlds in the United States. The tanks here are home to over 20,000 different marine animals, including sharks, dolphins and jellyfish.
The aquarium emphasizes education and conservation, and visitors can participate in programs focused on marine biology. The opportunity to compare different habitats such as rainforest or coral reefs is interesting. The aquarium is an ideal destination for the whole family.
3️⃣ The Maryland Zoo
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is one of the oldest zoos in the United States, having been in operation since 1876. Today the zoo is home to over 1,500 animals including African elephants, lions, penguins and giraffes. The zoo is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species and to educating the public about conservation. Popular attractions include the opportunity to feed the giraffes acacia for a small fee.
4️⃣ Maryland Science Center
The Maryland Science Center, a state-of-the-art science museum in Baltimore, offers interactive exhibitions focusing on physics, astronomy, biology and other scientific disciplines. The museum includes a planetarium and an IMAX theater that shows educational films. All ages will find something to enjoy at the center, making it a great place for family outings.
5️⃣ Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Sanctuary
Fort McHenry is a famous fort in Baltimore City that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the American national anthem. The fort played a key role during the British-American War of 1812, when it withstood an attack by the British Navy.
Visitors can tour the historic buildings or get a glimpse into the lives of soldiers at the time through interactive displays. Reenactments of the battles are held annually at the fort.
6️⃣ Oriole Park at Camden Yards Baseball Stadium
Oriole Park is a baseball stadium, also known as Camden Yards, where the Baltimore Orioles play their home games. The stadium is renowned for its unique architecture that blends historic and modern elements.
Attending a baseball game is an enjoyable experience even for those who are not avid fans of the sport. With a ticket to the game, you can see the entire stadium and visit the backstage area.
7️⃣ Baltimore Museum of Art
The Baltimore Museum of Art is one of the most important galleries in the USA, known for its collections of modern and classical art. The museum focuses mainly on impressionist and contemporary artists, and visitors can admire works by Paul Picasso, Andy Warhol and Henri Matisse. Some of the museum’s exhibitions are continuously renewed.
8️⃣ Patapsco Valley State Park
Patapsco Valley State Park is located west of downtown Baltimore, giving visitors ample opportunities for hiking, biking, or picnicking in the countryside. The Patapsco River runs through the park, where you can swim or fish. Among the most beautiful places in the park are the waterfalls and the photogenic old bridges.
9️⃣ Antietam National Battlefield
Antietam National Battlefield is the site of the bloodiest one-day battle of the American Civil War, fought here on September 17, 1862, in which 22,717 people were killed, wounded, or missing. Visitors can tour the battlefield and historic buildings or take a stroll along the nature trail. The battlefield includes an interactive exhibit that helps explain the context of the battle and its implications for American history.
🔟 Ocean City Boardwalk
The Ocean City Boardwalk on the Atlantic coast is one of the oldest and longest in the eastern United States. The long wooden boardwalk is lined with shops, restaurants and gambling halls, the main attraction is a small amusement park with a Ferris wheel and catapult. During the summer months, the boardwalk hosts music concerts and festivals.
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Largest Cities in Maryland
The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Maryland in 2023, the source of the data is the United States Census Bureau, a federal agency whose main job is to count the population.
City County Population 1 Baltimore – 565,239 Map of Baltimore 2 Frederick Frederick 85,793 Map of Frederick 3 Gaithersburg Montgomery 69,563 Map of Gaithersburg 4 Rockville Montgomery 67,297 Map of Rockville 5 Bowie Prince George’s 57,254 Map of Bowie 6 Hagerstown Washington 43,553 Map of Hagerstown 7 Annapolis Anne Arundel 40,552 Map of Annapolis 8 College Park Prince George’s 34,187 Map of College Park 9 Salisbury Wicomico 33,159 Map of Salisbury 10 Laurel Prince George’s 29,400 Map of Laurel -
Sports Teams in Maryland
🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)
No team from Maryland plays in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
There are two teams from Maryland in the American Football League (NFL).
The older participant is the Washington Commanders, who started out as the Washington Redskins in 1937. Between 2020 and 2022, they played under the name Washington Football Team, and in 2022 they changed their name to the Washington Commanders. The NFC Eastern Division Conference club uses maroon, gold, white, and black as its colors. Home games are played at Northwest Stadium in Landover.
The other NFL participant since the 1996 season is the Baltimore Ravens of the AFC North Division. The club plays its home games at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore; the team colors are purple, black, and metallic gold.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
There is no team from Maryland in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
Maryland has one representative in MLB, the Baltimore Orioles have played the competition since the 1901 season and belong to the Eastern Division in the American League. The team plays its home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore; the club colors are black, orange, white, and gray.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
There is no team from Maryland in the MLS soccer league.
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Maryland State Symbols
The official symbols of the State of Maryland are approved by the General Assembly and the Governor; only a few are listed below.
State Flag of Maryland
Maryland’s flag is one of the most interesting in the entire United States, consisting of the arms of the Calvert and Crossland families, which have played a significant role in the state’s history. Calvert was the surname of the Baltimore family, who were once owners of the Maryland colony. Crossland in turn was the maiden name of the mother of George Calvert, the first Baron Baltimore. The flag in its current form was adopted in 1904.
Great Seal of Maryland
The Great Seal of the State of Maryland in its current form was adopted in 1969, interestingly the design on the reverse and obverse are different. The obverse depicts Lord Baltimore on horseback as a knight in full armor with a drawn sword. On the reverse is the Calvert arms.
State Bird
Since 1947, the symbol of Maryland has been the Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula), after which the local baseball club, the Baltimore Orioles, was named.
State Flower
The symbol of Maryland is the black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), a distinctive flower with large yellow flowers added to the list in 1918.
State Tree
The official state tree of Maryland is the white oak (Quercus alba). One of the oldest recorded trees of this species was an oak tree in the town of Wye Mills that was more than 450 years old.
State Fish
The striped bass (Morone saxatilis), which is abundant in Maryland waters, made the list of state symbols in 1965.
State Boat
Since 1985, the official state symbols have included the skipjack, a type of boat traditionally used for oyster fishing in the Chesapeake Bay.
State Dessert
Since 2008, the official dessert of the state has been Smith Island cake, which comes from the island of the same name in southern Maryland. It is a cake with eight to fifteen layers of crust that are topped with chocolate frosting.
State Theatre
Among Maryland’s symbols since 1978 is the Center Stage theater company, which was founded in 1963. Maryland’s largest professional theater company, Center Stage, is based in Baltimore.
State Horse
In 2003, the English Thoroughbred became the official horse breed of Maryland. In the first half of the 18th century, the states of Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, and New York were among the centers of horse breeding.
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