1. “What’s A Terrapin?”
A type of turtle known for living in brackish water (commonly found in marshes around Maryland), the terrapin is the mascot of the University of Maryland athletic program. Sporting a bright red “M” on game day, he’s one of the most unique regionally-based mascots around.
2. You’ll Actually Want To Catch These Crabs
Known for the plentiful amount of blue crabs and soft shell crabs that this state has access to,
Maryland is one of the best places in the country to find fresh seafood. Don’t feel too bad if you’re not quite as quick at cracking the shells as your new Maryland friends, they’ve had years of practice.
3. Know How To Tell A Jimmy And A Sally Apart
Nicknames given to the different genders of crabs, the easiest way to tell the difference between the two is to flip it over and check out its stomach. If there’s a shape that looks like the Washington monument, it’s a male crab called a Jimmy. If it looks like the Capitol Dome, it’s a female called a Sally.
4. That’s “Old Bay” You Keep Tasting
Known for its ability to make anything and everything taste better, the special blend of herbs and spices known as Old Bay seasoning gets used almost any time a crab is served in Maryland. Originally created to add a saltiness to the crab (thus encouraging crab-eating bar-goers to purchase more drinks), it’s now a staple flavor of the region.
5. Maryland Can’t Get Enough Of These Ravens
When it comes to sports in Maryland, it’s hard to find a more dedicated fan base than that of the Baltimore Ravens. They’ve only been around since 1996, but after a couple championship seasons, huge controversies, and a roster filled with future Hall of Famers, people in this state treat this team like family.
6. It’s The Orioles, Not The Oreos
For some reason, out-of-towners really seem to struggle with the nickname of Baltimore’s professional baseball squad, the Orioles. While it might sound like your favorite way to blow your diet in a quick few bites, an oriole is actually a type of bird that’s part of the blackbird family found in the region.
7. The Word “Hon” Gets Thrown Around A Lot
“Hon” is a very popular term of endearment in Maryland, especially in the Baltimore area. It harkens back to a simpler time that gets put on full display during Honfest, a giant party in Baltimore in which tons of people don flamboyant 60s-style clothing before taking to the streets to celebrate the historic working class of the city.
8. This State Is Filled To The Brim With Navy Pride
With the United States Naval Academy headquartered in Annapolis, people in this state have a special thing for the United States Navy. If you’re new to the area, it’s probably best that you learn their fight song, “Anchors Away,” as soon as possible.
9. There Are Tons Of Ways To Get Around In This State
The average commute time in Maryland is a little high, around 30 minutes if you’re driving. However, many of Maryland’s larger cities are notable for their highly developed biking and walking infrastructures, as well as their public transportation, making it sometimes easier to get around without a car in the Old Line State than it is in most places around the country.
10. Lacrosse Is A Big Deal Around These Parts
The most historically dominating American lacrosse team just so happens to call Maryland its home, the John Hopkins Blue Jays. They’ve won a whopping 44 national championships since their start in 1883. Lacrosse isn’t just a big deal around here at the college level either, as tons of kids grow up playing the sport in rec leagues and throughout school.
11. The Fruit Is Quite A Bit Fresher In Maryland
Maryland isn’t all just big cities, it’s got plenty of farmland too. Taking advantage of the unique soil make-up in this state, there are tons of orchards producing a bunch of fruit.
Apples, cherries, peaches, and blueberries are a few of the most popular ones and the best way to get the freshest around is to find a place that lets you pick them yourself.
12. Maryland Has Four Perfect Seasons
With warm summers, beautiful fall foliage, picturesque winters, and cool springs, it’s hard to find a reason to complain in this state. The summer months tend to average around 75 degrees, while the winter months drop to a still tolerable mid-upper 30s with little bit of snow, giving Maryland one of the best seasonal climates in the country.
13. The Maryland Job Market Has Something For Everyone
Maryland is a great place to look for jobs, with a statewide unemployment rate of only 5.4 percent, less than the national average of 6 percent. With major industries like the defense and aerospace sector, new technology, manufacturing, and shipping leading the charge in Maryland, this diversified economy is expected to keep growing in years to come.
14. The Maryland Flag Is Straight Out Of Medieval Times
A flag that features the brightly colored heraldic banner of George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, the Maryland flag is probably the coolest state flag you’ll find in America. It’s more similar to something you’d see a knight carrying into battle than in a government office.
15. On That Note, Jousting Is Actually Still A Thing Here
In 1962, the Old Line State became the first state to pick an official state sport, choosing jousting. Another Maryland thing that most people would typically associate with medieval times, there are still various jousting tournaments and leagues held around the state each year.
16. Maryland Is A Pretty Safe Place To Call Home
When it comes to crime rates in Maryland, its relatively average compared to the rest of the country. The statewide crime rate is 3,137 reported acts per 100,000 residents, only slightly higher than the 3,099 you’ll find around the rest of the country.
When you consider that Baltimore’s rate is twice as high, at 6,346 reported incidents for every 100,000 residents, it’s easy to see where the state average might get a little inflated.
17. Washington D.C. Isn’t Maryland
America’s capital might only be a short drive down the road, but in case you haven’t heard yet, Washington D.C. is its own district. However, thanks to its close proximity, plenty of people tend to commute back and forth between the two areas on a daily basis.
18. Your Dollar Isn’t Worth Quite As Much In Maryland
The cost of living in Maryland greatly depends on where you’re at, mostly because home values vary so much across this state. For example, while the entire state of Maryland scores an expensive 116 on the same cost of living scale that puts average America at 100, places like Baltimore score a much lower 96.
When you consider that the average home value in Baltimore is $161,000 compared to a state average of $305,000, it’s easy to see why cost of living is lower there. The national average when it comes to home value is $181,000. And, Maryland residents actually pay less than the average American for things like health care, goods and services, and utilities.
19. Don’t Be Surprised When Your Pizza Is A Square
If there’s one pizza place that’s a cut above the rest in Maryland, it’s Ledo Pizza. Easily recognizable for serving up their pies in the shape of a rectangle, cut into square slices, eating here once will change the way you look at pizza for life.
20. National Bohemian Is Still The Top Dog Around Here
Commonly referred to as Natty Boh, National Bohemian is the beer of choice in Maryland, an American lager that was first brewed in Baltimore in 1885.
Production has since been taken over by Pabst Brewing Company and it’s now made at various places around the country, but that doesn’t mean the locals love it any less.
21. Awesome American Beaches Aren’t Just In California
Most outsiders don’t typically think of Maryland as a beach state, but it’s got some of the most beautiful coastlines in the country. Locals love to take advantage of the sandy beaches in towns like Ocean City and North Beach as soon as the warm weather hits, and Assateague Island is always a thrill, with around 125 horses roaming freely on an island that’s still relatively unscathed by man.
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