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).

Maryland contains a diverse landscape that includes mountains, rivers, streams, wetlands and coastline. The state maintains 47 state parks and 15 state forests. The western portion of the state is the least populated. It encompasses a thin panhandle that extends between southern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. The Potomac River forms the border between West Virginia and western Maryland. Three state forests lie in this region among several state parks. Antietam National Battlefield, Catoctin Mountain Park and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park preserve and protect natural areas in western Maryland.Central Maryland contains the cities of Baltimore, the cultural capital, and Annapolis, the political center.

Recreation opportunities in eastern Maryland revolve around the abundant water resources. Fishing, boating, swimming, water-skiing and jet skiing are popular on the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. Western Maryland state forests and parks provide ample facilities for hiking, mountain biking and camping.