Maryland is an East coast state that covers a mere 9,837 square miles. It straddles Chesapeake Bay and continues north west to the Appalachian Mountains. The Potomac River forms its southern boundary. The suburbs of Washington DC have spread so much that they now encroach into Maryland State. One of the original 13 states, Maryland saw its first settlers in 1634 and boasts some lovely old towns and architecture.
A principal player in the creation of the State was Sir George Calvert, later Lord Baltimore, Secretary of State to James 1. When he announced that he was embracing the Catholic religion in 1625 he was obliged to relinquish his role. His son Cecilius subsequently received a charter (some would say in compensation for his father being stripped of his role) from Charles 1 to set up a colony north of Virginia. It was through his ambition to create a sanctuary for England’s persecuted Catholics that Maryland grew and became established, receiving not only Catholics but those of other faiths who sought a quiet place in which to live and practise their beliefs unmolested.

Annapolis is the capital city on Chesapeake Bay, formerly known as St Mary’s City. In the 1780s, Annapolis was the Capital of the United States, during which period it was the scene of the signing of the Treaty of Paris that brought to a formal close the Revolutionary Wars. Its Capitol building is the oldest in continuous use in North America.

With just 17 miles of coastline Maryland is a Mecca for nautical millionaires, sailors, seafood lovers, water sports fanatics and fishermen. It is where the US Naval Academy was founded in 1845. Open to the public now, the Academy visitor centre displays the space capsule in which the first astronaut, Alan Shepherd, travelled. Of the many old buildings of Annapolis, Maryland Inn, the 200-year-old hostelry is not to be missed when you go sightseeing. Trains and buses link Annapolis and Baltimore to Washington DC, as does the Chesapeake and Ohio towpath.

Baltimore is the largest city in Maryland, standing on an arm of Chesapeake Bay some 37 miles to the north east of Washington DC, and is the home of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team. With a rich maritime heritage, Baltimore is a major port and shipping centre with a fully redeveloped waterfront. The very fine National Aquarium is here and the unusual modern architecture is as interesting as the occupants themselves.

Birthplace of Billie Holliday, Baltimore saw America’s first railway station. The oldest Roman Catholic cathedral in the country can be found here. Fort McHenry is a star shaped fort best known for its role in the War of 1812 when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbour from an attack by the British navy. During this battle Francis Scott Key was inspired to write his “Star Spangled Banner”.

Baltimore sees a high production of aerospace equipment. Its fine public buildings and old houses, its numerous museums and art galleries are best seen on a formal city tour. You can join a walking tour, or a very popular boat trip, with boats of all kinds offering you the “best” tour of the City.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum pays tribute to the marine activities of the region with a photographic history of boat building through the centuries. Several historic vessels, and the restored Hooper Strait lighthouse are open for inspection.

Ocean City is the “Land of Hotels and Holidaymakers” and occupies the Ocean Peninsula that boasts magnificent beaches, golf, a fairground and the US Life Saving Museum.

The State’s Civil War history is commemorated at the National Battlefield site in the gentle farming country of West Maryland at Antietam, where you can see the Burnside Bridge and view the battlefield from an observation tower. There is also a film that recreates the battle and is shown at regular intervals.

There is a good trade in antiques in Maryland and in the towns of Frederick and Salisbury you will be overwhelmed by choice. The Emporium at Creekside in Frederick gives room to over 100 separate antiques outlets and shops. Frederick is the burial place of Francis Scott Key and has recently been restored. The old town sees a large number of tourists throughout the year.

Nature trails, beach swimming and boat hire are found on the eastern shore of the Delmurva Peninsula at Elk Neck State Park. Here too are several picturesque villages and the islands of Chincoteague and Assateague.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge at Easton is where thousands of migrating waterfowl arrive, and in the season from October to March, the sheer volume of birds makes an awe inspiring sight which can be seen from observation points.

GETTING THERE

Baltimore / Washington International Airport is 16 kilometres south of the city
centre.