Maryland: Working Wonders

A National Geographic writer coined the Maryland nickname America in Miniature in the 1980s; and while marketers slogans have since come and gone, none has captured the extraordinary diversity of this wondrous state quite as well as that. In its 12,192 square miles are no fewer than five distinct regions. Central Maryland is home to the legendary city of Baltimore and to the Georgian architectural splendor of Annapolis, the state capital. The beautiful suburbs of Washington, D.C., and urban centers of high technology characterize the Capital Region. The Eastern Shore offers quiet country roads and the excitement of Ocean City, while in Southern Maryland patchwork farms and fishing villages harken back to the state s beginnings. The mountains of Western Maryland offer abundant outdoor fun, while the hallowed ground of Antietam Battlefield is a reminder of Maryland s important role in U.S. history. But it is more than interesting sights and natural riches that makes Maryland such an eminently livable place. Its residents earn the highest median household income in the country. The state is home to world-renowned universities and medical institutions. Its public schools have been named the best in the country, while the U.S. Department of Education ranks Maryland second nationally in educational achievement, with more than 35 percent of its citizens over age 25 holding at least a bachelor s degree. Maryland is also a leading player in the New Economy, promoting and investing in technology. In 2008 it ranked second in the State New Economy Index for, among other criteria, the number of knowledge jobs and its support for technological innovation. The Milken Institute put Maryland in the top 10 in its 2008 State Technology and Science Index, ranking the state first in human capital development and second in inputs for research and development and in technology concentration and dynamism. And Maryland s BIO 2020 Initiative will solidify the state as a leader in stem cell research and other bioscience fields. Meanwhile, its traditional sectors have remained strong by incorporating new technologies and practices into their operations, while nascent industries flourish in the state s creative, innovative, and business-friendly environment. Through detailed narrative and breathtaking photography, Maryland: Working Wonders provides a compelling look at the state s history, its 24 counties, its diverse industries, and its most respected corporate citizens