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BALTIMORE

Located on the eastern coast of the United States, the port city of Baltimore is the largest city in the state of Maryland and serves as its cultural center. Baltimore is near the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It is located an hour from Washington, D.C., the United States capital.

The city’s population size is similar to Rotterdam: about 600,000. The greater Baltimore metropolitan region is about 2.6 million. About two-thirds of Baltimore city’s population is African American; about third is White; other ethnic groups include Africans, Latinos, Koreans, and Indians, and many others. The greater Baltimore-Washington metropolitan region is about 10 million.

 

History

Founded in 1729, the city was named after the first governor of Maryland, Lord Baltimore, and soon became a major commercial port for shipments of tobacco and grain. Later, it grew to be a center for shipbuilding, seafood canneries, steel, and other industries. Railroads provided access to other parts of the United States. Baltimore was the largest port of entry for immigrants during the 1800s, after New York.

In the War of 1812 with Britain, Baltimore was under attack by British forces. Inspired by the American victory, Francis Scott Key wrote the United States’ national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Before the Civil War, Maryland was a southern slave-holding state. Baltimore’s port depended on African American laber — both enslaved and free men. During the Civil War in the 1860’s between the Union north and the Confederate south, Maryland was officially part of the Union, but many white Baltimore residents were pro-slavery and sympathetic to the Confederacy. After the war, policies like segregation, Jim Crow laws, mass incarceration, and redlining continued the oppression of African Americans in cities like Baltimore. Baltimoreans have long been at the forefront of the fight for equality and civil rights.

Baltimore’s downtown was destroyed in the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904. In just a few years, the city rebuilt its center.

In the 20th century, Baltimore’s Pennsylvania Avenue was a major national center for black culture including jazz music and theatre. A new arts district is now being developed in this area.

Until recently, Baltimore was one of the 10 largest cities in the United States; now it is in the top 30. After the loss of its industrial economic base in the mid-20th century, the city’s population declined, but in recent years has enjoyed an influx of new residents interested in city living. There is an ever-growing ecosystem of technology startups in the area and several arts districts. Nicknamed “Charm City,” Baltimore’s industrial past has given this city a strong working-class character.

Inner Harbor (Photo: Jay L. Baker, © Baltimore City Government)

Port of Baltimore

More than 44 million tons of cargo pass through the port of Baltimore every year. 34% of the US population can be reached by truck from the port of Baltimore within 8 hours. Baltimore’s seaport is closer to major Midwestern markets than other major ports on the east coast. The port includes a cruise terminal. A new intermodal global logistics hub called Tradepoint Atlantic with a deep water port is being developed at the Sparrows Point area of the harbor. This location is also intended to become a regional offshore wind center.

Baltimore became a model for revitalization in the late 1970’s when the Inner Harbor waterfront area was redeveloped as a major tourist attraction and convention center. Located at the Inner Harbor, the tall World Trade Center (designed by I.M. Pei) houses the Maryland Port Administration and the World Trade Center Institute and works to promote international trade and stimulate the regional economy.

Attractions

The Inner Harbor boasts many attractions, like the National Aquarium, shopping and restaurants, a science museum, Orioles baseball stadium, and Ravens football stadium. The American Visionary Art Museum, Reginald Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, and The Peale Center for Baltimore History and Architecture are relatively recent additions.

Further north, the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art, Lyric Opera House, and Baltimore Symphony contribute to the cultural life of the city. The city also boasts many smaller galleries and exhbition spaces. In part because of its art institute, relatively low rents, and proximity to New York and Washington, Baltimore enjoys a large population of artists, a quirky character, and experimental cultural events like the annual Kinetic Sculpture Race, the Great Lantern Parade, and High Zero Festival. Other annual arts & culture festivals include Artscape, CityLit, Baltimore-DC Carnival. The city is a popular location for the filming of movies and television shows.

Baltimore is also famous for its horse racing at Pimlico Race Course.

The Baltimore region boast many colleges, universities and medical centers — including The Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland system, Morgan State University (MSU), Peabody Conservatory, and Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). The region is becoming a center for biotech and cybersecurity industries and tech start-ups.

Famous Baltimoreans include:

• Edgar Allen Poe, writer
• Frederick Douglass, worked to abolish slavery
• Eubie Blake, composer of ragtime, jazz and popular music
• Billie Holiday, jazz singer
• Filmmaker John Waters, famous for his cult classic Pink Flamingos

Climate

Baltimore’s coastal temperate climate generates cool, moist winters and hot, very humid summers. January is usually 29-44° F (-2 to 7° C); July is usually 73-91° F (23-33° C).