Visit USA - America's Best Travel Guide

When to visit:

Summer is the pea tourist season in Maryland. Baltimore and Annapolis see substantial crowds at this time of year, usually numbering something like 5 million visitors. As such, prices are high and reservations for accommodations should be made in advance.

Fall is a more pleasant time to visit the state. The weather is mild and the experience is cheaper and more manageable. Washington DC in particular has lots of amenities to enjoy in the “non-peak” visitor season that lasts from September through February.

Facts:

State Abbreviation: MD
State Capital: Annapolis
Largest City: Baltimore
Area: 12,407 square miles (the 42nd biggest state in the USA)
Maryland Population: 5,558,058 (as of 2004)
Major Industries: farming, mining, steel products, communications equipment, fishing, government services
Maryland Rivers: Potomac River, Patapsco River, Patuxent River, Susquehanna River
Maryland Lakes: Lake Oakland, Deep Creek Lake, Prettyboy Reservoir, Loch Raven Reservoir
Highest Point: Backbone Mountain - 3,360 feet (1,024 m) above sea level
Origin of the Name Maryland: named in honor of the Queen Consort Henretta Maria (1609-1669), the wife of Britain's King Charles I
State Nickname: Old Line State
State Motto: Manly Deeds, Womanly Words
State Song: Maryland, My Maryland