The state flag of Maryland was officially adopted in 1904. The seal: The motto:

Fatti Maschii Parole Femine

Strong Deeds, Gentle Words

Pennsylvania-Delaware-Virginia-the District of Columbia-West Virginia

State bird: Baltimore oriole State flower: black-eyed Susan

Population: 5,699,478Area: 27,076 sq km (42nd biggest state)

State fish: Rockfish

State tree: White oak

State sport: jousting

State beverage: milk

In 1608 the English explorer Capt. John Smith sailed into Chesapeake Bay.

The first settlement and capi capital was St. Mary’s CityCccc City.

Maryland was named to honor the Queen consort Henrietta Maria (1609-1669), the wife of Britain’s King

Charles I. One of the original 13 states.

Maryland is classified at being temperate of climate

the average annual minimum temperature can vary from -15 degrees in the mountains of Garrett County, to 10 degrees in southern Maryland and Ocean City.

In summer, the average temperature is +22.6 degrees. Maryland summers vary from mild to hot.

In winter, western counties experience colder weather, and more snow.

Average seasonal snowfall: 0.5 m. The most snowfall ever recorded was during the winter of 2009-10.

Farming (corn, soybeans, tobacco, poultry and dairy products)Mining (coal)Steel productsCommunications equipmentFishing (crabs and oysters)

Maryland forests cover approximately 2.7

million acres (43%) of the

states land surface. Oak and hickory are the

dominant hardwood , making 60% of

forested areas. Loblolly pine is the most prevalent softwood.

The highest point in Maryland is 3,360 feet above sea level on Backbone Mountain

in Garrett County. The absolute lowest point in Maryland is

a depression, often called Bloody Point Hole, 174 feet below sea level.

Sixteen of the 23 Maryland counties border on tidal water. The combined length of tidal shoreline, including islands, is 4,431 miles.

Maryland’s Eastern Shore and Western Shore embrace the Chesapeake Bay, and the many

estuaries and rivers create one of the longest waterfronts of any state.

Maryland is governed under a constitution adopted in 1867.

The general assembly consists of 47 senators and 141 delegates, all elected for four-year terms.

The governor, also elected for a four-year term, may succeed him- or herself once.

The state elects two U.S. senators and eight representatives.

Democrats traditionally dominate state government;

William Nuthead started the first printing business in St. Mary’s City in 1685.

The Maryland Gazette founded in 1727.

In 1844 the first telegraph line in the world was established between Washington and Baltimore.

America's national anthem was written by Francis Scott Key a Maryland lawyer. Maryland gave up some of it's land to

form Washington D.C. Annapolis was known as the Athens

of America during the 17th century and once served as the capital of the United States.