Baltimore, Maryland – A Hub of History and Culture

With a population of over 600,000 residents, Baltimore is the largest city in Maryland and one of the major cities on the East Coast.Nicknamed “Charm City” and “The City That Reads”, Baltimore has a long history and rich culture to explore.

History of Baltimore

Founded in 1729, Baltimore was named after Lord Baltimore Cecilius Calvert, who founded the Maryland colony. It quickly became a major port city due to its prime location on the Patapsco River. The city grew rapidly as an industrial hub, with industries like flour milling, sugar refining and manufacturing. Baltimore played a key role in the American Revolution as it was attacked by the British in the Battle of Baltimore in 1814, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that later became the U.S. national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

During the 19th century, Baltimore continued to grow as a major seaport and railroad hub. After the Civil War, the city became a major manufacturing center for garments, fertilizer,steel and sugar. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was one of the earliest railroads in America, connecting Baltimore to major cities in the Midwest. Large waves of European immigrants came to Baltimore to work in the factories and port industries.

In more recent history, Baltimore suffered from decline of its industrial sectors but has rebounded by diversifying its economy around education, services, tourism, and medical research. Historical landmarks and neighborhoods have been revitalized, making Baltimore a cultural destination once again.

For more on Baltimore’s history, visit the Wikipedia page on the History of Baltimore.

Population and Demographics

According to the latest Census data, Baltimore has a population of 588,274 residents, making it the 30th most populous city in the United States. It reached its peak population in 1950 with nearly 950,000 residents. The racial makeup of the city is approximately 62.8% Black or African American, 29.7% White, 2.7% Asian, and 2.8% from other races. The median age is 35 years old.

Attractions and Landmarks

Baltimore offers many unique attractions and landmarks for visitors to the city. Here are some of the top attractions in Charm City:

Inner Harbor

The Inner Harbor is the crown jewel of Baltimore attractions. This beautiful waterfront area contains an aquarium, shops, restaurants, museums, and entertainment venues. Visiting the Inner Harbor is one of the top things to do in Baltimore.

Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry is a star-shaped fort that defended Baltimore Harbor during the War of 1812. It was here that Francis Scott Key witnessed the “rocket’s red glare” and penned the poem that became the Star Spangled Banner. Today it is a National Monument and Historic Shrine.

National Aquarium

One of the best aquariums in the country, the National Aquarium houses over 17,000 aquatic animals in award-winning habitats. Popular exhibits include the multistory Atlantic Coral Reef, the open ocean shark tank, and the Maryland: Mountains to the Sea exhibit.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Baseball fans won’t want to miss seeing the Baltimore Orioles play at the beautiful Camden Yards. The retro-style ballpark first opened in 1992 and sparked a trend of building classic ballparks integrated with their urban surroundings.

The Walters Art Museum

With over 37,000 works of art spanning over 6 centuries, the Walters Art Museum houses an internationally renowned collection of art and artifacts from around the world.

Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum

Literature buffs will appreciate visiting the home where the famous poet and author Edgar Allan Poe lived from 1833 to 1835. It is now the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, featuring exhibits and artifacts from Poe’s time in Baltimore.

Federal Hill Park

For amazing views over Baltimore, head to Federal Hill Park. The park features historic cannons and the 1914 Federal Hill monument overlooks the picturesque Inner Harbor.

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine 2400 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230 Phone: (410) 962-4290

National Aquarium 501 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202 Phone: (410) 576-3800

Oriole Park at Camden Yards 333 W Camden St, Baltimore, MD 21201 Phone: (888) 848-2473

Transportation

Baltimore is served by many transportation options:

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

BWI Airport is located just south of Baltimore and provides domestic flights to destinations across the country as well as international service. It is a hub for Southwest Airlines.

MTA Maryland

The Maryland Transit Administration operates public buses, subway, light rail, commuter rail, and mobility services in the Baltimore region. The metro subway links downtown Baltimore to the suburbs. The light rail lines connect the metro areas north and south sections.

Amtrak

Two Amtrak stations are located in Baltimore – Penn Station downtown and Halethorpe Station to the south. Amtrak provides rail service to Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and Washington DC along the Northeast Corridor as well as longer distance trains.

MARC Train

MARC commuter rail trains connect Baltimore to Washington DC with stops in Maryland suburbs along the way. There are three MARC rail lines providing service.

Economy and Major Employers

Once dominated by manufacturing and shipping, Baltimore’s economy today is focused on services, tourism, education and medical/biotechnology research. Some of the major employers in Baltimore include:

Johns Hopkins Hospital 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21287 Phone: (410) 955-5000

Johns Hopkins Hospital is the teaching hospital and biomedical research facility of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. It was founded in 1889 and is located along with other medical facilities in East Baltimore. Johns Hopkins employs over 20,000 people.

University of Maryland Medical Center 22 S Greene St, Baltimore, MD 21201 Phone: (410) 328-9400

Part of the University of Maryland Medical System, the university hospital provides comprehensive health care services, medical education, and research. It is located downtown near Camden Yards.

T. Rowe Price Associates 100 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202 Phone: (410) 345-2000

T. Rowe Price is a global investment management firm founded in 1937 that is headquartered in downtown Baltimore. It manages over $1.5 trillion in assets for clients in more than 45 countries.

Under Armour 1020 Hull St Ste 300, Baltimore, MD 21230 Phone: (888) 727-6687

Under Armour is an innovative sports apparel company that produces athletic performance clothing. Founded in 1996 by a University of Maryland football player, its global headquarters is located in the Locust Point area of Baltimore.

Other major employers include the Social Security Administration, Northrop Grumman, Legg Mason, McCormick & Company, Morgan Stanley, and Baltimore City Public Schools.

For more on Baltimore’s economy, visit the Baltimore Development Corporation website.

Higher Education

Baltimore is home to several well-known universities and colleges:

Johns Hopkins University

Founded in 1876, Johns Hopkins University is a prestigious private research university located in north Baltimore. It is organized into 10 divisions focused on the arts, sciences, music, education, engineering, business, nursing, and international studies. Johns Hopkins Hospital and its medical school campus are affiliated with the university.

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Part of the larger University System of Maryland, UMB is focused on professional and graduate education in law, medicine, pharmacy, nursing, social work, and dentistry. Its campus is located west of downtown Baltimore.

Morgan State University

Morgan State University is a historically black college located in northeast Baltimore. It offers over 120 academic programs leading to bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees.

Maryland Institute College of Art

MICA is a specialized art and design college located in the Bolton Hill neighborhood. It offers BFA, MFA, MA, and MPS degrees focused on the visual arts.

Notre Dame of Maryland University

A Catholic liberal arts university located in north Baltimore. It offers degrees for women and men, including doctoral programs in education.

Public School Districts

Public education in Baltimore is provided by two separate school districts:

Baltimore City Public Schools

BCPS provides public education for grades Pre-K through 12 in Baltimore City. There are over 180 schools in the district serving around 80,000 students.

Baltimore County Public Schools

With over 113,000 students, Baltimore County Public Schools serves the surrounding suburbs of Baltimore. It has 174 schools including 25 high schools.

Sports

Baltimore has two major professional sports teams:

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles baseball team plays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards downtown. The O’s have won three World Series titles, nine AL pennants, and seven division championships over their history.

Baltimore Orioles official website: https://www.mlb.com/orioles

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens pro football team plays at M&T Bank Stadium next to Camden Yards. They have won Super Bowl XLVII and two AFC Championships.

Baltimore Ravens official website: https://www.baltimoreravens.com/

Local Resources

Baltimore City Government

Official website: https://www.baltimorecity.gov/

Address: 100 N Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202

Phone: (410) 396-3100

Baltimore Tourism

Official tourism website: https://baltimore.org/

Visit Baltimore Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/visitbaltimore

Location and Geography

Baltimore is located in north-central Maryland along the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. It has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. At only 40 miles northeast of Washington DC, Baltimore is part of the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.

Baltimore is an independent city that is not part of any county. However, it is surrounded by Baltimore County. Other nearby counties include Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, and Howard County.

The GPS coordinates for Baltimore are approximately:

Latitude: 39.2903848
Longitude: -76.6121893

Copycontinue ES Here is more content continuing the article on Baltimore: <h2>Famous Baltimoreans</h2> Many famous people and important historical figures have called Baltimore home, including: <ul> <li>Babe Ruth – Baseball legend who played for the Baltimore Orioles before becoming a star with the New York Yankees</li> <li>Edgar Allan Poe – Renowned author and poet who lived and worked in Baltimore for several years</li> <li>H.L. Mencken – Influential journalist and critic who was born and raised in Baltimore</li> <li>Frederick Douglass – Abolitionist leader and former slave who escaped to freedom and lived in Baltimore as a young man</li> <li>Thurgood Marshall – Civil rights icon who grew up in Baltimore, the first African American Supreme Court Justice</li> <li>Nancy Pelosi – Current Speaker of the House who represents San Francisco, but was born and raised in Baltimore’s Little Italy</li> <li>David Hasselhoff – Actor known for Knight Rider and Baywatch who graduated from high school in Baltimore</li> <li>Cab Calloway – Famous jazz singer and bandleader during the Harlem Renaissance era, grew up in Baltimore</li> <li>Uriah P. Levy – Commodore in the U.S. Navy, responsible for abolishing flogging as a punishment in the Navy</li> </ul> <h2>Annual Events</h2> Popular annual events in Baltimore include: <ul> <li>Light City – This free public light festival brightens up Baltimore with light art installations, music, and innovation talks each Spring.</li> <li>Baltimore Pride – Each June, Baltimore Pride celebrates the LGBTQ community with a parade and block party.</li> <li>Artscape – America’s largest free outdoor arts festival features art displays, live music, theater, and dance performances each July.</li> <li>Baltimore Book Festival – A large book fair that brings hundreds of author talks and book signings to the Inner Harbor area in late September.</li> <li>Baltimore Running Festival – Over 20,000 runners participate in the marathon and half marathon running through Baltimore neighborhoods each October.</li> <li>Miracle on 34th Street – Homes in the Hampden neighborhood light up for the holidays with bright and quirky Christmas displays the whole month of December.</li> </ul> With its long history, unique neighborhoods, world-class museums, lively waterfront, cultural festivals, and major sports teams, Baltimore offers something for everyone to appreciate and enjoy!