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Maryland
Capital:
Annapolis
State abbreviation/Postal code:
Md./MD
Nickname:
Old Line State
Origin of name:
Named to honor Henrietta Maria, wife of
England's King Charles I
Briefs on
Maryland:
Bordered on north by Pennsylvania, on the west by
West Virginia, by Delaware and Atlantic Ocean on the east and by
Virginia on the south, Maryland is one of the southern states in the
United States of America. Many people also deem Maryland to be a part
of the Mid-Atlantic States.
Spread in an area of 32,160 square kilometers
Maryland is known for its vast coastline. The Chesapeake Bay bisecting
the sate and the Atlantic Ocean bordering it are worth visiting sites
of Maryland. The maritime heritage of the Chesapeake Bay region is
depicted in the primary attractions of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the
sailing capital of the state, Annapolis and the drooling boating
communities on the East Shore. The Atlantic coast is active during the
summer time. During summers miles of white beaches and action-packed
boardwalk are bustling with tourists from all round the world.
 The interior of Maryland is also a lure in
itself. From beautiful waterfalls, huge mountains, steep valleys to
quiet rivers and wonderful landscapes, there is everything to enhance
the scenic splendor of the state. Besides this the numerous activities
such as hiking, fishing, white river rafting, kayaking etc. keep the
tourists glued to the place.
Visitors can also get to know about the rich
history of the state through artifacts in museums and historical
paintings in the galleries. History reveals that Maryland’s past can
be traced back to 10th millennium BC when the region had
its first inhabitants. These people were nomads who relied on hunting
and gathering stuff.
After nomads, Native Americans came and settled
in the region. The European settlements began here in the later half
of the 1600. Gradually the Europeans ousted almost all the Native
Americans in the region.
In 1498 John Cabot became the first European to
explore the area. In 1542 another Italian Giovanni da Verrazano even
explored the place. In the years that followed the Bay itself was
explored by several European explorers.
On 20th June 1632 a charter for
Maryland Colony was granted. This was a result of the petition of the
1st Baron Baltimore. The charter was granted to his son,
the 2nd baron Baltimore. The new colony that was so formed
was named in the honor of Henrietta Maria, Queen Consort of Charles.
In 1634 Lord Baltimore founded the English colony
of Baltimore. Baltimore sent the first settlers in this area. Maryland
soon became a catholic region among the English colonies in America.
Many puritans migrated from Virginia to Maryland
during the time Anglicanism was made mandatory in Virginia. These
puritans were given space for settlement, called Providence and which
is now known as Annapolis. In 1650 the puritans demanded proprietary
government and establishment of a new government that outlawed both
Catholicism and Anglicanism. The revolt of puritans ended with the
Toleration Act passed by the English Parliament on 24th May
1689.
In 1708 the seat of government was shifted to
Providence and the land was renamed as Annapolis. This was done in
order to honor Queen Anne.
During the American Revolution Maryland was a
member of the thirteen colonies that revolted against the British
rule.
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