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Annapolis and the Chesapeake Region (Summer 2012)

The Naval Academy is located in historic Annapolis, the capital of the State of Maryland. Annapolis was founded in 1640 as Anne Arundel Town and later became the first peacetime capital city of the United States of America in 1783.

Annapolis, named to honor Queen Anne of England, was granted a royal charter as a city in 1708. Annapolis can also lay claim to having been a capital of the United States. From November 1783 to August 1784, the Continental Congress met in the State House. It was here that they accepted George Washington's resignation as commander-in-chief and ratified the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War.

The colonial heritage of Annapolis is still evident as the city boasts more buildings from the 1700s than any other city in the country.

The heart of downtown Annapolis has also been designated a National Historic District. Many fine examples of colonial architecture, including the State House, Hammond-Harwood House, Chase-Lloyd House and the William Paca House and Gardens, are open to visitors.

In August, 2009, Annapolis was named a Top?Ten finalist for the International Award for Livable Communities, a competition focused on creating livable communities through sound environmental practices.

Annapolis is located on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake provides natural environs, sightseeing, sailing, fishing and more, helping Annapolis become the sailing capital of the America's. The water-lover will also revel in the fact that Maryland has nearly 4,000 miles of shoreline - more than any other state.

Within 30 minutes of Annapolis lies both Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, providing entertainment and sightseeing opportunities for residents and tourists alike.

The State of Maryland voted in 1788 to cede land to form the District of Columbia, which soon became our nation's capital. Washington, D.C., is located 30 minutes west of Annapolis.

Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness Stakes, is located in Baltimore. The horse industry contributes $1.5 billion annually to the state's economy. There are over 20,000 horse farms located in Maryland.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor is just 30 minutes from Annapolis. The City of Baltimore features Harborplace, the Maryland Science Center, the National Aquarium, B&O Railroad Museum, American Visionary Art Museum, and homes for both the MLB's Baltimore Orioles and the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.

The Annapolis State House is the oldest in continuous legislative use in the country. It was here where General George Washington resigned his commission in the Continental Army, and where the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War was ratified.

Over 80 million pounds of blue crab are harvested yearly in Maryland. The Maryland crab harvest makes up more than 50 percent of the annual U.S. catch.

During the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore and was inspired to pen the words to a poem entitled "The Star-Spangled Banner," which eventually became the national anthem.