Annapolis is located on the Chesapeake Bay about 26 miles south of Baltimore, Maryland. It has a population of about 36,000. Summers in Annapolis are mild and humid with highs in the 80s. Winters temps are in the 40s and there is an average snowfall of 21 inches. There are many distinct neighborhoods, and anyone thinking of moving to Annapolis will find a city that prides itself on its hospitality and friendliness.
Economy:
Annapolis has had a history of being economically tied to the federal government, in areas such as the Naval Academy. But in recent years, it has sought to diversify and its location mid-distance from Baltimore and Washington, D.C.has helped this. It has attracted tech companies and its major industries include radar equipment and military devices. The top employers in Annapolis are the Anne Arundel Medical Center, the Naval Academy, ARINC (Aeronautical Radio Inc), Constellation Energy and Northrop Grumman.
History:
The area was first populated by Puritans fleeing the Anglican government in the middle 1600s. In 1702, the site of present day Annapolis was chosen to be the state capital. The city was chartered in 1708. It became a center for social and cultural development, and soon was also an economic center as well. The primary crop was tobacco. In the mid 1700s, Annapolis was the first peacetime capital of the new states. In 1808, Fort Severn was built there and this eventually became the US Naval Academy. The railroad arrived in 1880, and the town became a hub for crops and industry shipped to Washington DC and beyond.
Tourism:
The Maryland State House is the oldest in continuous use on the US. You can tour the William Paca House and Garden known for its colonial era beauty. The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley memorial is the only memorial to an enslaved African known by his name. The Annapolis Maritime Museum is dedicated to the maritime history and heritage of Annapolis. The Hammond-Harwood house was built in 1774 and is a beautiful museum dedicated to that period. You can tour historic Annapolis by bike, by segway, by walking and by bus. There are numerous art galleries and theater groups that exhibit and perform all year long. In May, you can attend the Annapolis Maritime Festival and world champion sailboat races. In June there is an Irish festival and the Eastport-a-rockin' music festival. In August there is the Annapolis Crab Feast. In September there is an Alex Haley-Kunta Kinte Festival. The Annapolis Boat Parade of Lights is a don't-miss in December.