01
Location
Neighboring states: Delaware, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia.
Local timeAnnapolis ·
U.S. States / South · Card 020
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state in the South. Its capital is Annapolis.
Find Maryland
● State capital · Gold highlights Maryland.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
At a glance
- Capital
- Annapolis
- Postal abbreviation
- MD
- Population
- 6,265,347July 1, 2025 · Census estimate
- Total area
- 32,131 km²12,406 square miles · land and water
- Constitution ratified
- April 28, 1788One of the original thirteen states
- Currency
- U.S. dollar (USD)
Sources: Census · population · Census · area
Maryland in context
Gold shows Maryland. The dot marks Annapolis.
Alaska and Hawaii are shown in separate insets at different scales.Geography & flag
02
Landscape & places
Assateague is a barrier island shared by Maryland and Virginia, with beaches, dunes, marshes and coastal bays.
03
Land and water
The total area includes 25,142 km² of land and 6,990 km² of water, according to Census area measurements.
State flag
Four quarters alternating black-and-gold and red-and-white heraldic designs.
Sources: Census · geographic reference · Census · area measurements · National Park Service · Assateague Island
History & statehood
Maryland was chartered as a colony in 1632. It became one of the original thirteen states and ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1788. Land ceded by Maryland became part of the new federal capital district.
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Maryland colonial charter granted
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U.S. Constitution ratified
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Constitution ratified · One of the original thirteen states
Sources: Congressional Research Service · statehood · U.S. Census Bureau · historical geography · National Park Service
Economy
Main activities
In 2025, government and government enterprises was the largest of the broad industry groups compared here by current-dollar output. Other major groups included real estate and rental and leasing, professional and business services, and educational services, health care, and social assistance.
Total economic output was $568.1 billion in current dollars in 2025.
Largest industry groups · 2025
- Government and government enterprises: 20.4%
- Real estate and rental and leasing: 15.1%
- Professional and business services: 14.6%
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance: 9.4%
Share of total current-dollar GDP. These figures measure output, not employment.
Sources: BEA · annual GDP by state, SAGDP2
Population & economic trends
Population, 2020–2025
Millions of people6.272025 · millions of people
July 1 resident population estimates, using the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 series.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau
View data table
| Year | People |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 6,178,387 |
| 2021 | 6,176,035 |
| 2022 | 6,183,257 |
| 2023 | 6,204,927 |
| 2024 | 6,245,314 |
| 2025 | 6,265,347 |
Real GDP, 2010–2025
Billions of chained 2017 dollars436.172025 · billions of chained 2017 dollars
Real GDP measures economic output adjusted for inflation. The chart uses BEA’s chained 2017 dollars.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
View data table
| Year | Millions of chained 2017 dollars |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 352,622.9 |
| 2011 | 360,155.9 |
| 2012 | 361,561.8 |
| 2013 | 364,633.2 |
| 2014 | 370,343.9 |
| 2015 | 378,745.9 |
| 2016 | 391,950.9 |
| 2017 | 399,714.5 |
| 2018 | 402,480.9 |
| 2019 | 402,506.2 |
| 2020 | 389,178.6 |
| 2021 | 407,160.1 |
| 2022 | 412,670.7 |
| 2023 | 420,558.0 |
| 2024 | 433,105.9 |
| 2025 | 436,172.0 |
Government
Maryland has three branches of state government. The governor leads the executive branch. A Senate and House of Delegates form the legislature, which passes state laws and budgets. State courts interpret and apply the law.
Sources: USAGov · Maryland
Knowledge check
Three questions about Maryland.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
What is the capital of Maryland?
Sources & notes
Prepared 27 September 2026. Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025, July 1 estimates for 2020–2025. Real GDP: BEA annual state accounts, SAGDP9, millions of chained 2017 dollars; industry shares: SAGDP2, current dollars. Data downloaded 27 September 2026. Area measurements include land and water.
Sources: Census · population estimates · BEA · state GDP · Census · area measurements · Natural Earth · map data
The capital clock shows current local time. Statistical figures are dated estimates and may be revised.