Baltimore City

Although settled by the early eighteenth century and incorporated in 1796, Baltimore City did not exist as a distinct governmental unit until 1851 when the Constitution adopted that year provided for the separation of the city from Baltimore County. Like Baltimore County, the city's name is derived from the Proprietor's Irish Barony.

The growth of Baltimore has been stimulated by its port, which handles thousands of ships annually; its industry, including chemicals, heavy equipment and electrical machinery, textiles and apparel, paper products, and food; and its transportation services which serve as the lifeline of the city. However, the strength of the city lies in its neighborhoods, from the maritime flavor of Fells Point to the towers of Charles Center, from the rolling garden development of Roland Park to the famous marbled steps of the city's row houses.

Such diversity is also reflected in Baltimore's famous native and adopted citizens such as Babe Ruth, Edgar Allan Poe, the Duchess of Windsor, Francis Scott Key, Ogden Nash, and H. L. Mencken. On any given weekend, thousands of people can be seen enjoying the Inner Harbor, the Baltimore Zoo, Lexington Market, the National Aquarium, or the Maryland Science Center. The performing arts are represented by the Morris Mechanic Theatre, Center Stage, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and numerous smaller theatre and dance troupes. The city also boasts numerous historic sites such as the Carroll Mansion, the Shot Tower, Patterson Park, Fort McHenry, Druid Hill Park, and the Peale Museum.