Maryland
The Old Line State
Climate
Mild with four seasons, with warm humid summers and cool winters. Average highs are about 87F (31C) in summer and 45F (7C) in winter, with some winter snow.
Main industries
Known for blue crabs and fishing in the Chesapeake Bay, plus shipping through the port of Baltimore, and science and health jobs near Washington, D.C.
Top places for tourists
The Chesapeake Bay for sailing and seafood, the historic sailing town of Annapolis with the U.S. Naval Academy, and the beaches of Ocean City.
Places of interest
Fort McHenry in Baltimore, where the U.S. national anthem was written; the National Aquarium; and Assateague Island, where wild ponies roam the beach.
A little history
Maryland was one of the original 13 colonies, founded in 1634, and became the 7th state in 1788. It gave land to help create the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.
Fun fact
The U.S. national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, was written in Maryland in 1814, and the state loves its steamed blue crabs.