State Abbreviation: MD

Capital: Annapolis

Name Origin: Maryland was named after Queen Henrietta Maria of England. She was married to King Charles I, who granted permission for Maryland to become a colony.

Nickname: Free State; Old Line State

Statehood: April 28, 1788 (7th State)

State Motto: "Fatti maschii, parole femine" (Manly deeds, womanly words)

In the early 17th century, Captain John Smith ventured into Chesapeake Bay, marking the beginning of European exploration in the Maryland region. In 1632, King Charles I granted a royal charter to Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore, establishing Maryland as a proprietary colony. English settlers, including many Roman Catholics, arrived on St. Clement's Island in 1634, seeking religious freedom.

Religious tolerance flourished with the passage of the Toleration Act by the Maryland assembly in 1649, granting freedom of worship to all Christians. However, this period of religious freedom was short-lived, as a Puritan revolt from 1654 to 1658 curtailed these liberties.

During the early 19th century, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon conducted a survey to establish Maryland's northern boundary with Pennsylvania from 1763 to 1767. In 1791, Maryland ceded land to form the District of Columbia, which would eventually become the nation's capital.

Maryland played a pivotal role in the War of 1812 when British forces attempted to capture Baltimore. The bombardment of Fort McHenry inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Maryland remained in the Union during the Civil War, although it was a slave state. Consequently, many Marylanders fought on both sides of the conflict, resulting in divided families.

Maryland boasts an extensive coastline encompassing the Eastern Shore and Western Shore, with numerous estuaries, rivers, and the vast Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is renowned for its abundant seafood production, including oysters, crabs, clams, and fin fish. However, the region has faced challenges due to declining fish stocks resulting from increased development and pollution. In 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Chesapeake Bay Restoration and Protection Executive Order, aimed at preserving and revitalizing this vital ecosystem.

Agriculture in Maryland encompasses greenhouse and nursery products, poultry, dairy, eggs, and soybeans. The state's mineral resources include stone, coal, sand, gravel, cement, and clay.

Manufacturing industries in Maryland span food products, chemicals, computer and electronic products, transportation equipment, and primary metals. Baltimore, home to the renowned Johns Hopkins University and Hospital, serves as the nation's second-largest port in terms of foreign tonnage. Annapolis, the capital, is the esteemed location of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Maryland offers a range of popular attractions, including the Fort McHenry National Monument, Harpers Ferry and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Parks, Antietam National Battlefield, and the National Aquarium, USS Constellation, and Maryland Science Center at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Other notable sites include Historic St. Mary's City, Jefferson Patterson Historical Park and Museum, the U.S. Naval Academy, Goddard Space Flight Center, Assateague Island National Seashore, the Ocean City beach resort, and Catoctin Mountain, Fort Frederick, and Piscataway parks.

Maryland has been at the forefront of social progress, as it became the eighth state to legalize gay marriage with the passage of legislation in March 2012.

• Go fish! Visitors to the National Aquarium can check out jellyfish, a living reef, dolphins, and sharks.
  
• Famous Marylanders include Francis Scott Key, who wrote the Star Spangled Banner; baseball player Babe Ruth; Jazz musician Billie Holiday; and civil rights activist Thurgood Marshall, who became the first African-American Supreme Court justice (or judge) in the United States.
  
• Visitors to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Park can explore the same land that Tubman crossed while guiding almost 70 people to freedom during the 1800s.

1. Explore Historic Annapolis: Visit the charming capital city of Maryland and delve into its rich history. Take a stroll along the historic streets lined with beautifully preserved colonial architecture, visit the Maryland State House, tour the United States Naval Academy, and immerse yourself in the maritime heritage of this captivating city.
2. Discover the National Aquarium: Located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium is a must-visit attraction in Maryland. Explore the stunning exhibits featuring a wide array of marine life, including dolphins, sharks, tropical fish, and mesmerizing coral reefs. Learn about marine conservation and enjoy interactive experiences for all ages.
3. Visit Assateague Island: Head to Assateague Island National Seashore, a unique barrier island shared by Maryland and Virginia. Marvel at the untouched beaches, dunes, and marshes while observing the famous wild horses that roam freely in this natural paradise. Enjoy swimming, hiking, camping, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities in this serene coastal setting.
4. Tour Antietam National Battlefield: History enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Antietam National Battlefield, located near Sharpsburg. Explore the site of the pivotal Civil War battle that took place in 1862, which marked a turning point in the conflict. Take a guided tour or explore the battlefield on your own, gaining insights into the battle's significance and the sacrifices made during this tumultuous time in American history.
5. Indulge in Maryland's Crab Cuisine: No visit to Maryland is complete without savoring the state's famous crab cuisine. Whether it's enjoying a traditional Maryland crab feast with steamed blue crabs, relishing crab cakes made with locally caught crabmeat, or sampling other crab-inspired dishes, such as crab soup or crab dip, Maryland's culinary delights are sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more.