Baltimore, Maryland is a vibrant American city situated along the Chesapeake Bay about 180 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. It is a major tourist destination in the Mid Atlantic region of USA near Washington, D.C. Named after Lord Baltimore in the Irish House of Lords, the city has a flourishing population of more than 650,000 with a rich cultural heritage.
Spanning over an area of 80.8 square miles, the city is a perfect mixture of the old with the new. A few of the ethnic neighborhoods have been restored into modern shopping and dining locales but they still retain the old character.
The major tourist attraction is the inner harbor. This historic seaport is an iconic landmark and perfect blend of the old with the new. The breathtaking view of the waterfront is simply amazing and the docks and streets surrounding the inner harbor houses, hotels, museums, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. The new Inner harbor is now home to the Harborplace, an entertainment center and the National Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world. Port Discovery Children s Museum, and the World Trade Center of Baltimore are also located around the basin.
The port of Baltimore is a major lifeline for USA East Coast trade and supply. Large container ships visit the port, bringing fuel, materials, finished goods and other freight. Other vessels that use the port include recreational pleasure craft, commercial fishing boats and law enforcement personnel.
The port is a popular cruising destination for sailboaters, power boaters and other water enthusiasts. In addition to transient boaters, there are local marinas and other areas for residents to launch private boats, kayaks, personal watercraft and other vessels.
Security of the Baltimore Captain of the Port zone is overseen by the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. TWIC was established in the MTSA and the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act to serve as an identification program for all Coast Guard credentialed mariners and personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas within a port.
Baltimore is famous for its outstanding seafood. From the nearby Chesapeake Bay come blue crabs, oysters, striped bass and other delicacies. Other seafood served in the city includes fresh sea scallops, lobsters, sea bass, swordfish, tuna, mahi mahi and other fish from the Maryland coast.
Baltimore does not experience the extremes of weather change that occur in other parts of USA. The weather is relatively mild and the best time to visit is from April to November. The city is well connected by road, air and sea. From Washington DC it is less than one hour north on Route 95. Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) is only a half hour drive south of downtown.
Moving inside the city is easy and loads of options like light rail system are available. Water taxis are a unique and interesting option. The taxis transit the harbor and offer unique views of the Baltimore skyline.
Overall, visitors to Baltimore will find comfortable accommodations, excellent cuisine, a rich local history and a wide variety of attractions.
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