Information on Maryland
Maryland is home to a vast stretch of coastline and the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay are some if it's most popular attractions. A large part of the state's appeal is related to the sea, with fishing boats and 'watermen' who pull fresh seafood from Chesapeake Bay, historic waterfront towns and vibrant harbours, pleasure sailing, bustling ports and important shipyards, beaches and speciality crab cakes.
The Chesapeake Bay area in Maryland is rich with maritime heritage and major attractions like Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the tranquil boating communities on the East Shore, the sailing capital of Annapolis and old towns like St Michaels preserving century old maritime traditions. The sprawling resort of Ocean City on the Atlantic Coast sees the most action, especially during summer when the miles of white beaches and the action-packed boardwalk are crowded with vacationers from around the state.
Marylands interior is home to lush valleys, sparkling lakes, breathtaking waterfalls, majestic mountains and white water rapids for extreme sports. Western Maryland has endless opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast as well as beautiful scenery, from hiking and fishing, to skiing in winter.
Maryland is home to a vivid and rich history too, dating back to the colonial times, the American Revolution, resistance to British rule, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. The country's national anthem was penned after the unsuccessful attack on the key shipbuilding centre of Baltimore, as a desperate last effort by the British to keep America from Independence, which left the city intact and the flag flying that inspired the words for the 'Star-Spangled Banner'. The fields stretching out towards the foothills of the Appellation Mountains were the site of the Civil War's bloodiest battle at Antietam, and the mixture of both Northerners and Southerners in Baltimore, straddling the line separating the North and South, was the cause for divided loyalties and violent friction.
