The state abbreviation of Maryland is MD, it is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Today we're going to examine the Geography, climate, and state symbols that this place has to offer.
As one of the 50 U.S. States, this place has a lot of things that make it unique. Before we delve into this specific aspects of the state, let's examine some important facts you should know about MD:
Situation in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. is the state of Maryland. It is bordered by Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C to the south and west of the state. Pennsylvania is to the north, and Delaware is to the east.
MD was the seventh state to ratify the constitution and join the Union. This state is also the place where religious freedom was first seen, which is why many consider it to the birthplace of such a right. Going back into colonial days, it once offered refuse for persecuted Catholics from England.
It is one of the smallest states in terms of land area, ranked 42nd among the others. Despite the small size, it is one of the most densely populated states, ranked 19th in this category. It is officially named after Queen Henrietta Maria who was the wife of King Charles I of England.
Geographical Features and Climate
MD has a total area of 12,406 square miles and is comparable to the overall area size of Belgium. There is a wide variety of topological characteristics within the borders, which earned it the name "America in Miniature." Everything from sand dunes, to seagrass, to marshlands, and even hills, forests, and mountains.
The highest point in the state is 3,360 feet and is Hoye Crest on Backbone Mountain. While there are are no natural lakes, there are a number of ponds. During the last Ice Ages, the glaciers didn't stretch as far south as Maryland and didn't carve out natural lakes as a result. There are a variety of man-made lakes, the largest of which is Deep Creek Lake which is a reservoir in Garrett County.
Like many other states on the East Coast, Maryland's plant life is both varied and abundant. A large amount rainfall each year supports a number of species of flora including seagrass and various reeds. Even large trees like the Wye Oak can grow up to seventy feet in height.
There are a large number of White tailed deer in the state, especially in the western areas where the woody and mountainous areas are found. There are also a rare breed of wild horses found on Assateague Island.
In terms of climate, there are several types found in various areas parts of the state based on elevation. For example, the eastern half of the state has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The northern and western portions have a humid continental climate.
Maryland State Symbols
The state symbols here are decided by an act of the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor. Interestingly enough, two of the most popular symbols, the motto and the state nicknames, were never made official by the government.
Here are some of the common symbols and the year they were signed into law:
Bird - Baltimore Oriole (1947) named for the male's orange feathers, which are similar to the Calvert seal.
Cat - Calico Cat (2001) The cat has orange, black, and white fur which are the same colors as the Calvert seal.
Crustacean - Blue Crab (1989) Found in the Chesapeake Bay, these are the most valuable species found in this bay.
Dog - Chesapeake Bay Retriever (1964) Named after the bay of the same name, it was a breed used to recover waterfowl for hunters.
Fish - Rock fish (1965) also known as the striped bass, this fish is found all over MD.
Flower - Black-eyed Susan (1918) a type of daisy with yellow petals and a black center.
Tree - White Oak (1941) The Wye Oak, which is of this type, was thought to be the oldest of its kind at 540 years old until it fell during a thunderstorm in 2002.
The flag of Maryland was officially adopted in 1904. The black and gold design is taken from the coat of arm of the Calvert line. It is the only flag to not use the color blue. The other three are Alabama, California, and New Mexico. The flag's history comes from the person who founded the original colony, Cecillius Calvert, second baron and Lord Baltimore.
The red and white colored arms of the Crossland family which belonged to the Calvert's via the paternal grandmother, were popular during the Civil War. During this time, Maryland was still part of the Union still despite the popularity of the Confederacy.
After the war, people returned looking for forgiveness. The current design, which has both the design of the Calvert family, and the Crossland family started to appear. The current flag was first flown on October 11, 1880 in Baltimore at a parade celebrating the 150th anniversary of the city. A survey conducted by the North American Vexillological Association named the MD flag the fourth best in design and quality.
The state seal is only one of four that has two sides. The front depicts Lord Baltimore in full armor on a charger with a drawn sword. The family coat of arms is depicted on the caparisons of the horse. The rim of the seal has the phrase Cecilius Absolutus Dominus Terræ Mariæ et Avaloniæ Baro de Baltimore. This translates to "Cecil, absolute lord of Maryland and Avalon, baron of Baltimore."
The opposite side of the seal shows a plowman and a fisherman holding a spade and fish respectively. The motto of the state Fatti maschii, parole femine translates to "Manly deeds, womanly words" and it's written on the outer portion.
Final Thoughts
Now that you're finished here, check out the Maryland state facts we've compiled.
