Baltimore, the Charm City, is Maryland’s largest city and one of the busiest ports in the United States. It is a lively city with several educational and fun attractions, mouth-watering cuisines served in multitude of
great restaurants,
eclectic shopping,
vibrant nightlife and beautiful waterfront. Add to this is a pleasant weather year-round. The city has a long and unique history, and had gone through a great transformation to turn into a vibrant and modern city. Did you know that Baltimore is the birthplace of the original
“Star-Spangled Banner”? The city is firsts to many things. Read on to know a couple fast facts about the Charm City:
Image by Iracaz via Wikimedia Commons
Baltimore Geographic and Demographic Fast Facts
- Baltimore is the largest city in Maryland, United States.
- It is the 26th most populous city in the United States.
- It is the second largest seaport in the Mid-Atlantic.
- The elevation of Baltimore ranges from sea level at the harbor to 480-ft in the north-west corner, near Pimlico.
- The ethnic composition of Baltimore includes: Black-63.7%, White-29.6%, Asian-2.3%, Alaska Native and American Indian-0.4%, Some other race-1.8%, Two or more races-2.1%.
- The tallest building in Baltimore is Legg Mason, a 40-story building.
- It is the city over 220 neighborhoods.
Baltimore History Fast Facts
- Baltimore was settled in the early 1600s.
- In 1729, Baltimore was founded as a town.
- It was named after the founder of Maryland, Cecilius Calvert, Lord Baltimore.
- In 1797, Baltimore was incorporated as a city.
- It played a key role in American Revolution.
- During the War of 1812, it was the site of Battle of Baltimore.
- The city also saw the Civil War, first battle in 1861.
- In 1904, the great Baltimore Fire occurred that burned for 30 hours and decimated about 1,500 buildings.
- Baltimore is the birthplace of American railroad.
- The first American commercial railroad was started here as The B&O- Baltimore and Ohio railroad in 1829.
- Francis Scott Key wrote America's National Anthem.
- Baltimore’s Washington Monument, the foremost civic monument dedicated to President George Washington is in Baltimore.
Baltimore Government and Economy Fast Facts
- Baltimore has a mayor-council type of government.
- Baltimore is the largest independent city in the US and is not the part of the surrounding Baltimore County.
- The city has a diverse economy, with strong legal, financial and non-profit service industries.
- The top industry in Baltimore is Shipbuilding.
- It is an industrial and commercial hub.
- The cost of living in Baltimore is lower than the US average.
Baltimore Interesting and Important Fast Facts
- Baltimore is nicknamed as the “Charm City,” “The Land of Pleasant Living,” “Mobtown,” “The City of First,” “B’more,” “Monument City,” “Clipper City,” and “Ravenstown”.
- It is the hometown of several popular athletes, such as Michael Phelps, the Olympic champion swimmer, and Babe Ruth, the baseball great player.
- It is home to the foremost monument dedicated to George Washington.
- The Maryland Jockey Club, the first professional sports organization in the US, was established in 1743 in Baltimore.
- The city is home to the first Roman Catholic Church in America - the Baltimore Basilica of Assumption.
- The city was the first US city to light up its streets using hydrogen gas in 1816.
- The city is home to the USS Constellation.
- In 1840, the first dental school in the world was established in Baltimore.
- In 1844, the first telegraph line was formed between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
- The '311' service as a non-emergency hotline was first implemented in Baltimore.
- The first and the only US airport to have a trail for biking and hiking is the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
- The first umbrella factory in the US was built in Baltimore in 1828.
- The first post office system in the US was established in Baltimore in 1774.
- The third largest continuous truss bridge in the country is in Baltimore-1,200-foot Francis Scott Key Bridge.
- The Baltimore Sun is the city’s main newspaper.