In the 1920s, a National Geographic reporter nicknamed Maryland "America in Miniature" because of its vast variety. Now, seventy years later, the state remains a study in contrasts, offering mountains and seashores, big cities and quaint villages. The state is a hotbed for history; historic sites for both the American Revolutionary War and the Civil War abound, and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis draws millions of military buffs.

The first Marylanders were Paleo-Indians who arrived more than 10,000 years ago, but the first European to visit the area was Giovanni da Verrazona, an Italian explorer who traveled the Chesapeake Bay in the 1500s. In 1608, Captain John Smith arrived from England, and in 1631 William Claiborne established a fur-trading post on Kent Island, the first English settlement in the upper Chesapeake.

Maryland's colonial history dates to the days of King Charles I, who promised George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore, a colony north of Virginia. Before he arrived, George Calvert died; his son, Cecilus, became the second Lord Baltimore and settled the colony. It was he who named the area Maryland in honor of Charles' wife, Queen Henrietta Maria.

The state has five distinct areas, all of which lie within three hours of Baltimore, the largest city. Western Maryland is mountainous, with plenty of outdoor activities like boating and hiking. Central Maryland is home to the capital, Annapolis, and Baltimore. Fabulous restaurants are found here, along with good shopping and lots of entertainment. The Capital Region is so named because of its proximity to Washington, DC. This bedroom community is a great jumping-off point for a visit to the capital, but if you stick around, you'll find more than enough to keep you busy. Southern Maryland is steeped in history--it's the site of the state's original capital in historic St. Mary's City. The Eastern Shore is known for its seafood--Maryland crab cakes, to be exact--and its many water activities.