Maryland, known officially as the State of Maryland, is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered by Pennsylvania to the north, Delaware to the east, West Virginia to the west, and Virginia to the south. The state's largest city is Baltimore, and its capital is Annapolis. Known for its rich history and diverse landscapes, Maryland offers a range of terrains from sandy dunes in the east on the Atlantic Ocean, to low marshlands teeming with wildlife near the Chesapeake Bay, to gently rolling hills of oak forests in the Piedmont Region, and pine groves in the Maryland mountains to the west.
Maryland is divided into several distinct areas with the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland being largely rural, although the DC suburbs of Montgomery and Prince George's counties, and the Baltimore suburbs are predominantly urban and suburban. The Chesapeake Bay nearly bisects the state, and the counties east of the bay are known collectively as the Eastern Shore.
Economically, Maryland is known for its diverse landscape that provides ample resources for industries such as agriculture, fishing, and manufacturing. However, it has seen a growing dominance in the service sector, including education, healthcare, and government-related services, mainly due to its proximity to the nation’s capital. It is home to several large government facilities, including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the National Security Agency, along with more military installations than any other state per capita, such as Fort Meade and the Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
Maryland also holds significant historical importance. It was one of the original Thirteen Colonies and the birthplace of religious freedom in America, issuing the Maryland Toleration Act in 1649. Today, this history can be felt in places like the historic ships in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and the numerous Civil War battlefields.
One prominent feature of Maryland's governance is its heavy investment in education, emphasizing both primary and secondary schooling, as well as higher education. It is home to several prestigious universities, including Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland, and Loyola University Maryland.
Culturally, Maryland is noted for its unique culinary traditions. Seafood is a vital part of the diet, with blue crabs, crab cakes, and oysters accounting for much of the local fare, in addition to the state's own style of barbecue.
Each season in Maryland brings potential hazards including hurricanes in summer and early fall, and snowstorms in the winter, particularly in Western Maryland. Environmental issues such as these contribute to state policies advocating for sustainable energy and conservation efforts.
Maryland regularly engages in matters of national importance due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., influencing both state and federal policies. The state's local governance also sees a variety of public safety and community issues being dealt with, a recent example being new measures to ensure road safety for motorists and farmers alike.
Despite its small size, Maryland boasts a remarkable complexity and proves to be a microcosm of the larger country with its diverse population, varied landscapes, and mix of rural and urban environments.
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