While the state is bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Potomac River, and is nearly bisected by the Chesapeake Bay, it does lack one particular water formation: Maryland contains no natural lakes. During the last Ice Age, glaciers did not reach as far south as Maryland and so did not gouge out natural lakes such as those found in northern states. The state has many man-made lakes including Deep Creek Lake, which is owned by the state and is a popular outdoor recreation destination for boaters and fishermen, but its substantial commercial fishing industry is centers around the harvest from the Chesapeake Bay.
Maryland has the highest median household income of any state at $68,080 and it boasts of the nation’s lowest poverty rate. The Port of Baltimore and its related rail and trucking access help drive the state’s robust economy. The port ranks 10th in the nation by tonnage typically handling imports of raw materials and bulk commodities such as iron ore, petroleum, sugar and fertilizers. In addition to the business of the port, Marylanders work in the defense and aerospace industries as well as food production, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Roads
Interstate 68: From Hancock, Maryland, I-68 stretches to Morgantown, West Virginia east of the Appalachian Development Highway System. Its 81 miles in Maryland includes an interchange at Cumberland, Maryland.
Interstate 70: Spanning from Utah to Baltimore, I-70 is a major east-west route. It’s 94 miles in Maryland connect Baltimore with the cities of Hancock, Hagerstown and Frederick.
Interstate 81: Though I-81 is a major north-south American Interstate running from Tennessee to New York, only 11 of its miles pass through Maryland (near Hagerstown).
Interstate 83: From Baltimore to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, I-83 is a major Maryland/Pennsylvania connector spending 37 miles in Maryland.
Interstate 95: The most heavily trafficked highway on America’s east coast and in the state, I-95 extends from Miami to Maine. The 110 miles that pass through Maryland include the Baltimore Metro Region, including spur routes I-195, I-395, I-895, I-795 and I-695 also known as the Baltimore Beltway.
Interstate 97: Completely contained within Anne Arundel County, Maryland, I-97 runs just 18 miles from Annapolis to Baltimore.