Maryland General Information Nickname: Old Line State or Free State State bird: Baltimore Oriole State flower: Black-eyed Susan Capital: Annapolis Date of admission to the Union: 28th Apr 1788 (original 13 States; date of ratification of the Constitution) Population: 5,296,486 (2000) Population density: 164.8/sq km 2000 total overseas arrivals/US ranking: 312,000/22 Time: Eastern (GMT - 5). Daylight Saving Time is observed. The State: Maryland, one of the original 13 States of the USA, was founded by Lord Baltimore in 1634. Its Atlantic Plain, divided by Chesapeake Bay, rises through the rolling hills and scenic farmland of the State’s heartland to the Allegheny Mountains of the northwest. Its tourist destinations range from the 16km (10 miles) of white, sandy beaches at Ocean City to Baltimore’s bustling Inner Harbor. Chesapeake Bay’s 6400km (4000 miles) of shoreline, including its tributaries, separate the Eastern Shore area of Maryland from the rest of the State. The twin-spanned Chesapeake Bay Bridge is the major link between the two sections. The distance between Baltimore and Washington DC is only about 60km (40 miles). Travel - International AIR: International airports: Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) (website: www.bwiairport.com) is 16km (10 miles) south of Baltimore and 55km (34 miles) northeast of Washington, DC. Fast and frequent shuttle buses and rail services are available to Washington, DC and Baltimore. Taxis travel to and from Baltimore, but distance makes fares to Washington, DC prohibitive. Approximate flight times: From Baltimore to London is 7 hours 40 minutes, and to New York is 1 hour 15 minutes. RAIL: Baltimore is on the main East Coast Amtrak line (tel: (800) 872 7245 (toll free); website: www.amtrak.com) and consequently receives direct services from as far afield as New Orleans and Miami. There are also frequent shuttles to Washington, DC and New York. For approximate travel times on this line, see the New York section. ROAD: Approximate driving times: From Baltimore to Washington, DC is 50 minutes, to Philadelphia is 2 hours, to New York is 4 hours, to Chicago is 15 hours, to Miami is 23 hours, to Dallas is 29 hours, to Los Angeles is 56 hours and to Seattle is 59 hours. All times are based on non-stop driving at or below the applicable speed limits. Approximate bus travel times: From Baltimore to Washington, DC is 1 hour, to Philadelphia is 2 hours 30 minutes and to New York is 4 hours. URBAN: The entire Baltimore metropolitan area is covered by the Mass Transit Administration (website: www.mtamaryland.com), which runs buses, light rail and the metro. Water taxis provide regular cross-harbour services. Taxis can be hailed easily on the street in major tourism areas, and in front of major hotels, or ordered by phone. Cars and motorcampers can be rented. Introduction BALTIMORE: Maryland’s major city is one of the USA’s busiest ports. Restoration of the city’s Inner Harbor area has created one of the major tourist destinations in the mid-Atlantic region. Baltimore has a cosmopolitan population of 650,000 (more than 2.5 million in the metro area) and an attractive village-like atmosphere. The Inner Harbor area contains the Top of the World Observation Level at the World Trade Center, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the Maryland Science Center and two pavilions on the water’s edge filled with shops and restaurants. It is also the site of the children’s museum, Port Discovery. An open-air amphitheatre is the site of the annual summer-long street performers’ festival. Nearby is the Charles Center with 22 acres of offices, tower blocks, overhead walkways, fountains and plazas; it includes the Morris Mechanic Theater. Also nearby is the Baltimore Arena, which is the site for indoor soccer and other special attractions. The Pier Six Concert Pavilion hosts concerts during the summer months. City art museums include the Baltimore Museum of Art, Walters Art Museum and the American Visionary Art Museum. Mount Vernon Place contains 19th-century houses and squares and various cultural institutions, such as the Peabody Conservatory of Music. It also includes the Washington Monument, which can be climbed for a panoramic view. A short water-taxi ride or drive away from the Inner Harbor is the star-shaped, brick-built Fort McHenry National Monument, whose bombardment in 1814 inspired the writing of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and where special drills and military ceremonies are performed. The neighbourhoods of Fell’s Point and Little Italy can also be reached by water taxi. CAPITAL REGION: A town of quaint brick buildings and parks, Frederick is an excellent starting point for a tour of Civil War sites, which are found in and around the city. Gambrill State Park, just west of the town, offers outstanding panoramic views from the Catoctin peaks. Camp David Presidential Retreat, near Thurmont, is the traditional retreat for US Presidents. The public is not allowed inside, but visitors can experience the same lovely landscape in Catoctin Mountain Park, which surrounds it. Cunningham Falls State Park is also nearby. ANNAPOLIS & THE EASTERN SHORE: The State capital has an attractive harbour, the impressive campus of the US Naval Academy and beautiful period architecture. Annapolis makes a good starting point for a tour of the Eastern Shore, since it is just a few miles from the famous Bay Bridge. The bridge leads to St Michaels, a quaint town that highlights life along Chesapeake Bay; Crisfield and Smith Island, home to huge populations of Maryland blue crabs; Salisbury, where visitors will find the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art; and Ocean City, a lovely beach resort boasting an expansive white sand beach, a 5km-long (3 mile) boardwalk, amusements, tram rides, boating and deep-sea fishing. WESTERN MARYLAND: More rugged than the rest of Maryland, this part of the State extends into the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. The forested peaks and valleys offer all manner of summer and winter activities for the outdoor enthusiast. The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park, stretching 295km (184 miles) from Washington, DC to Cumberland in Western Maryland, is where the young Lieutenant-Colonel George Washington began his military career. His headquarters can still be seen. The canal was once a major avenue of commerce. The towpath for mule-drawn barges now serves as a popular hiking and biking trail. Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County is the State’s four-season resort, with skiing, golf and many water-based activities. Social Profile Food & Drink: Maryland is well known for its many outstanding restaurants offering fresh seafood caught in Chesapeake Bay. Establishments range from the very expensive to cheap fast-food counters. Theatres & Concerts: The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra gives concerts in the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and at Oregon Ridge Park for outdoor summer concerts. The Baltimore Opera performs at the Lyric Theater. The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra plays at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. The Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore is the oldest music school in the country and visitors can attend concerts and recitals by faculty students and guest artists. Nightlife: Baltimore’s Fell’s Point district is a historic waterfront neighbourhood that was once a shipbuilding centre. Today, it is home to a variety of restaurants and pubs known for their lively atmosphere. The nearby neighbourhood of Canton is rapidly gaining a similar reputation. Shopping: Shopaholics will want to visit Harborplace and The Gallery, three buildings filled with clothing shops, gift boutiques and eateries located in the heart of the Inner Harbor. Antique lovers should head to Howard Street, better known as Antique Row. About 20 minutes outside of Baltimore, there is a huge array of assorted shops along the main street of Ellicott City. Towson Town Center, north of Baltimore, is a popular mall. Arundel Mills, near Baltimore/Washington International Airport, offers discounted merchandise and entertainment facilities. Special Events: The following is a selection of events celebrated in 2003: Mar 23 Maryland Day Celebration, St Mary’s City. Apr 26 Maryland Hunt Cup Race, Glyndon. May 17 Preakness Stakes, Baltimore. Aug 22-Sep 1 Maryland State Fair, Timonium. Aug 29-31 Hard Crab Derby & Fair, Crisfield. Aug 23-Oct 12 Maryland Renaissance Festival, Crownsville. Oct 8-12 Autumn Glory Festival, Oakland. Nov 22 Thanksgiving Day Parade, Baltimore. Climate Hot, humid summers and mild, damp winters. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.