Quick Facts

Capital: Annapolis
Population: 5,615,727
Total Area: 69,704 square miles
Top Industry: Biotechnology

The seventh state to ratify the United States Constitution, Maryland is one of the oldest states in the country and was one of the original thirteen colonies. Since then, Maryland has become one of the wealthiest and fastest-growing states in the country. It is a major center for the biotechnology industry and has one of the largest ports in the country.

The Maryland Economy

• The biotechnology industry is perhaps Maryland’s most important and largest industry. There are institutions and firms located all over the state; Baltimore (the state capital) alone has nearly 350 biotechnology agencies. Maryland is home to John Hopkins University, which is one of the most important educational institutions in the industry.

• Maryland has a strong manufacturing industry. Products manufactured in the state include electronics, computer equipment, and chemical products.

• Agriculture is another very important industry in the state’s economy. Maryland has a number of agricultural outputs including dairy products and numerous crops, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peas. Another big part of agriculture is chicken farming.

• The Port of Baltimore has lots of rail and trucking access, which makes it a major transportation center on the East Coast. Several different items and goods are imported, but the most common include raw materials (petroleum, sugar, etc.) and bulk commodities. The port is also the second largest auto port in the United States.

Maryland Transportation

There are a number of major interstates that run through Maryland, used by commuters, travelers, and commercial truck drivers. Two of the largest are Interstate 95 and Interstate 70. I-95 is a major north and south interstate that runs along the East Coast. I-70 is a major interstate that runs east and west, from Maryland all the way to Utah in the western United States.