Difference between revisions of "Baltimore, Maryland" - New World Encyclopedia
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==Demographics== | ==Demographics== | ||
− | + | Baltimore was among the top 10 cities in population in the United States in every census up to the 1980 census, and after [[World War II]] had a population of nearly a million. The city and metropolitan area currently rank in the top 20 in terms of population. In the 1990s, the US census reported that Baltimore ranked as one of the largest population losers alongside [[Detroit, Michigan]] and [[Washington, D.C.]], losing over 84,000 residents between 1990 and 2000.<ref>[http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0763098.html "Top 50 Cities in the U.S. by Population and Rank (2005 Census)"]. [http://infoplease.com infoplease.com]. 2005. Retrieved August 1, 2006</ref> | |
− | + | As of 2006, the [[population]] was 637,455. The Baltimore–Towson metropolitan area, as of 2004, was estimated to have a population of 2.6 million.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metropop/table01.xls Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2004 (CBSA-EST2004-01)]</ref> The [[population density]] was 8,058.4 people per square mile (3,111.5/km²). There were 300,477 housing units at an average density of 3,718.6/sq mi (1,435.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.85% [[African American]], 31.28% [[Caucasian]], 0.32% [[Native American]], 1.53% [[Asia]]n, 0.03% [[Pacific Islander]], 0.67% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race. This census, however, does not accurately represent the city's Latino population, which has been steadily increasing over the past few years. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/24/24510.html|title=Baltimore city QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau|accessdate=2007-04-30}}</ref> 6.2% of the population were of [[Germany|German]] ancestry, according to the 2000 census. | |
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− | As of 2006, the [[population]] was 637,455. The Baltimore–Towson metropolitan area, as of 2004, was estimated to have a population of 2.6 million.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metropop/table01.xls Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2004 (CBSA-EST2004-01)]</ref> The [[population density]] was 8,058.4 people per square mile (3,111.5/km²). There were 300,477 housing units at an average density of 3,718.6/sq mi (1,435.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.85% [[ | ||
There were 257,996 households, out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 25.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.0% were non-families. 34.9% of all households are made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42, and the average family size was 3.16. | There were 257,996 households, out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 25.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.0% were non-families. 34.9% of all households are made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42, and the average family size was 3.16. |
Revision as of 23:27, 22 December 2008
Baltimore | |||
— Independent city — | |||
City of Baltimore | |||
Downtown from the northeast | |||
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Nickname: Charm City,[1] Mob Town,[2][3] Crabtown, Crab City,[4] B-more, The City of Firsts,[5][6] Monument City,[7][8] B-Town,[9] Birdland, Ravenstown[10] | |||
Motto: "The Greatest City in America",[11] "Get in on it."[12] |
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Location of Baltimore in Maryland | |||
Location of Baltimore in the United States | |||
Coordinates: 39°17′N 76°37′W | |||
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Country | United States | ||
State | Maryland | ||
Founded | 1729 | ||
Incorporation | 1797 | ||
Named for | Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore | ||
Government | |||
- Type | Independent City | ||
- Mayor | Sheila Dixon (D) | ||
- Baltimore City Council | Council members
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- Houses of Delegates | Delegates
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- State Senate | State senators
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- U.S. House | Representatives
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Area | |||
- Independent city | 92.07 sq mi (238.5 km²) | ||
- Land | 80.8 sq mi (209.3 km²) | ||
- Water | 11.27 sq mi (29.2 km²) 12.2% | ||
- Urban | 3,104.46 sq mi (8,040.5 km²) | ||
Elevation [13] | 33 ft (10 m) | ||
Population (2007)[14][15] | |||
- Independent city | 637,455(20th) | ||
- Density | 7,889.3/sq mi (3,045.7/km²) | ||
- Metro | 2,668,056(20th) | ||
- Demonym | Baltimorean | ||
Time zone | EST (UTC-5) | ||
- Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) | ||
ZIP Code | 21201-21231, 21233-21237, 21239-21241, 21244, 21250-21252, 21263-21265, 21268, 21270, 21273-21275, 21278-21290, 21297-21298 | ||
FIPS code | 24-04000 | ||
GNIS feature ID | 0597040 | ||
Website: www.baltimorecity.gov |
Baltimore is an independent city and the largest city in the state of Maryland in the United States. Baltimore is located in central Maryland at the head of the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay, and is approximately 40 miles (64 km) northeast of Washington, D.C.. Founded in 1729, Baltimore is a major U.S. seaport and is situated closer to major Midwestern markets than any other major seaport on the East Coast.
Baltimore's harbor has always been a major asset. Once the second leading port of entry for immigrants to the United States and a major manufacturing center, today it is home to Harborplace and the National Aquarium in Baltimore and is a successful example of Baltimore's ambitious efforts at renewal. Following the fall of many of its largest manufacturing industries, Baltimore has shifted primarily to a service sector-oriented economy, with the largest employer no longer Bethlehem Steel but Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital. Despite some successful revitalization Baltimore is still posed with many big-city challenges such as concentrated poverty and crime, and inadequate public education.
As of 2007, the population of Baltimore City was 637,455.[15] The Baltimore Metropolitan Area, which includes the city's surrounding suburbs, has approximately 2.6 million residents; the 20th largest in the country. Baltimore is also the largest city in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area of approximately 8.1 million residents. Because there is also a Baltimore County nearly surrounding (but not including) the city, it is sometimes referred to as Baltimore City when a clear distinction is desired.
The city is named after Lord Baltimore in the Irish House of Lords, the founding proprietor of the Maryland Colony. Baltimore himself took his title from a place named Baltimore in Ireland.
Geography and cityscape
Baltimore is in north-central Maryland on the Patapsco River close to where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay. The city is also located on the fall line between the Piedmont Plateau and the Atlantic Coastal Plain, which divides Baltimore into "lower city" and "upper city." The city's elevation ranges from sea level at the harbor to 480 feet (150 m) in the northwest corner near Pimlico.[16]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 92.1 square miles (238.5 km²), of which, 80.8 square miles (209.3 km²) of it is land and 11.3 square miles (29.2 km²) of it is water. The total area is 12.24 percent water.
Climate
Baltimore lies within the humid subtropical climate zone.
July is typically the hottest month of the year, with an average high temperature of 91 °F (32 °C) and an average low of 73 °F (22 °C).[17] Summer is also a season of very high humidity in the Baltimore area, with afternoon thunderstorms occurring regularly. The record high for Baltimore is 108 °F (42 °C), set in 1985. January is the coldest month, with an average high of 44 °F (6 °C) and an average low of 29 °F (-1 °C).[17] However, winter warm fronts can bring periods of springlike weather, and Arctic fronts can drop nighttime low temperatures into the teens. The record low temperature for Baltimore is -7 °F (-22 °C), set in 1934. Baltimore rarely experiences temperatures below 10 °F (−12 °C) or above 100 °F (38 °C). Due to an urban heat island effect in the city proper and a moderating effect of the Chesapeake Bay, the outlying, inland, and higher elevation parts of the Baltimore metro area are usually several degrees cooler than the city proper and the coastal towns.
As is typical in most East Coast cities, precipitation is generous, and very evenly spread throughout the year. Every month usually brings 3-4 inches of precipitation, averaging around 43 inches (1,100 mm) annually. Spring, summer, and fall bring frequent showers and thunderstorms, with an average of 105 sunny days a year. Winter often brings lighter rain showers of longer duration, and generally less sunshine and more clouds. Some light to moderate snowfall can occur occasionally in the winter, with heavy snows relatively rare. The average annual snowfall is only 21 inches (53 cm). Baltimore averages only 2–3 snow events per year[18] In the northern and western suburbs, the climate begins to transition to continental, and thus winter snowfall amounts are usually higher, with some towns annually receiving 24–36 inches (61–91 cm).[19] Freezing rain and sleet occurs a few times each winter in Baltimore, as warm air over rides cold air at the upper levels of the atmosphere. The cold air gets trapped against the mountains to the west and the result is freezing rain and or sleet.
The city lies in between two peculiar physical features that protect it from extreme weather and account for the relatively tempered seasons. The Appalachian Mountains protect central Maryland from much of the harsh northern winds and accompanying lake effect weather that bring subfreezing temperatures and heavy snows to the Great Lakes region, and the Delmarva Peninsula protects Baltimore from many of the tropical storms that affect the immediate coast.
The average date of first freeze in Baltimore is November 13, and the average last freeze is April 2.
The streets are lined with tens of thousands of brick and Formstone faced rowhouses. Many consider the rowhouse the architectural form most closely associated to the city. Some rowhouses are dated as far back as the 1790s.
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is considered by many to be the most beautiful baseball park in Major League Baseball, and has inspired many other cities to build their own versions of this Retro-Style Ballpark.
Camden Yards along with the National Aquarium have helped revive the Inner Harbor from what once was an industrial district full of dilapidated warehouses into a bustling commercial district full of bars, restaurants, and retail establishments.
Neighborhoods
Baltimore is officially divided into nine geographical regions: Northern, Northwestern, Northeastern, Western, Central, Eastern, Southern, Southwestern, and Southeastern, with each patrolled by a respective Baltimore Police Department district. However, it is not uncommon for locals to divide the city simply by East or West Baltimore, using Charles Street or I-83 as a dividing line, and/or into North and South using Baltimore Street as a dividing line.
The Central region of the city includes the Downtown area which is the location of Baltimore's main commercial area. Home to Harborplace, The Camden Yards Sports Complex (Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium), the Convention Center, and the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the area also includes many nightclubs, bars and restaurants, shopping centers and various other attractions. It is also serves as the home to many of Baltimore's key business such as Legg Mason and Constellation Energy. In addition, the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus is housed in this area, with the long-associated University of Maryland Medical System adjacent to the school. The downtown core has mainly served as a commercial district with limited residential opportunities. However since 2002 the population in the downtown has doubled to 10,000 residents with a projection of 7,400 additional housing units coming available by 2012.[20] The Central region also includes the areas north of the downtown core stretching up to the edge of Druid Hill Park. Included in the more northern part of the Central region are the neighborhoods of Mount Vernon, Charles North, Reservoir Hill, Bolton Hill, Druid Heights, as well as several other neighborhoods. These neighborhoods include many residential options and are home to many of the city's cultural opportunities. Maryland Institute College of Art, the Peabody Institute of music, the Lyric Opera House, The Walters Art Museum, The Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, as well as several galleries are all located in this region.
The Northern region of the city lies directly north of the Central region and is bounded on the East by The Alameda and on the West by Pimlico Road is a suburban residential area home to many of the city's upper class residents in neighborhoods such as the Roland Park-Homeland-Guilford-Cedarcroft area. The Northern region is home to many of Baltimore's notable universities such as Loyola College, The Johns Hopkins University and College of Notre Dame of Maryland.
The Southern Region of the city, a mixed industrial and residential area, consists of the area of the city below the Inner Harbor east of the B&O railroad tracks. It is a mixed socio-economic region consisting of working class ethnically mixed neighborhoods such as Locust Point; the recently gentrified Federal Hill area, home to many working professionals, pubs and restaurants; and low-income residential areas such as Cherry Hill.
The Eastern part of the city consists of the Northeastern, Eastern, and Southeastern regions of the city. Northeastern Baltimore is primarily a residential neighborhood home to Morgan State University bounded by the city line on its Northern and Eastern boundaries, Sinclair Lane, Erdman Avenue, and Pulaski Highway on its southern boundaries and The Alameda on its western boundaries. It has undergone demographic shifts over many years and remains a diverse but predominantly African American region of the city.[21][22][23]
The Eastern region is the heart of what is considered "East Baltimore" and is home to Johns Hopkins Hospital. Located below Erdman Avenue and Sinclair Lane above Orleans Street, it is almost an exclusively African American area home to low-income residential neighborhoods, several of which constitute many of Baltimore's high crime areas.
The Southeastern region of the city is located below Orleans Street bordering the Inner Harbor on its western boundary,the city line on its eastern boundaries and the Baltimore harbor on its southern boundaries is a mixed industrial and residential area. Home to many young professionals and working class people, it is an ethnically rich section of Baltimore home to many Polish Americans, Greek Americans, African Americans, and Italian Americans. Upper Fells Point is the center of the city's steadily growing Latino population.
The Western part of the city consists of the Northwestern, Western, and Southwestern regions of Baltimore. The Northwestern region of the city bounded by the county line on its northern and western boundaries, Gwynns Falls Parkway on the south and Pimlico Road on the East is a predominantly residential area home to Pimlico Race Course, Sinai Hospital and several of Baltimore's Synagogues. Once the center of Baltimore's Jewish community, it has undergone white flight since the 1960s and has become an almost exclusively African American area. It is home to many suburban residential areas primarily located above Northern Parkway and several lower-income areas below Northern parkway.
The Western region of the city located west of downtown is the heart of "West Baltimore" bounded by Gwynns Falls Parkway, Fremont Avenue, and Baltimore Street. Home to Coppin State University and Pennsylvania Avenue, it has been the center of Baltimore's African American culture for years home to many of the city's historical African American neighborhoods and landmarks. Once home to many middle to upper class African Americans, over the years, the more affluent African American residents have since left migrating to other sections of the city in addition to areas such as Randallstown and Owings Mills in Baltimore County and Columbia in Howard County. The area now constitutes a deprived socio-economic group of African American residents and like "East Baltimore," it is known for its high crime rates. Television series, such as The Wire, that concern themselves with Baltimore's crime problems have been based on events that took place in West Baltimore.
The Southwestern region of the city is bounded by Baltimore County to the west, Baltimore Street to the north, and downtown and the B&O railroad to the east. A mixed industrial and residential area, it has gradually shifted from having a predominantly White to a predominantly African American majority.
History
The Maryland colonial General Assembly created the Port of Baltimore at Locust Point in 1706 for the tobacco trade. The Town of Baltimore was founded on July 30, 1729, and is named after Lord Baltimore (Cecilius Calvert), who was the first Proprietary Governor of the Province of Maryland. (The name "Baltimore" comes from the town of Baltimore, County Cork.) Baltimore grew swiftly in the eighteenth century as a granary for sugar-producing colonies in the Caribbean. The profit from sugar encouraged the cultivation of cane. Baltimore's shorter distance from the Caribbean, compared to other large port cities such as New York City and Boston, reduced transportation time and minimized the spoilage of flour.
Baltimore played a key part in events leading to and during the American Revolution. City leaders such as Jonathan Plowman Jr. moved the city to join the resistance to British taxes and merchants signed agreements to not trade with Britain. After the war, the Town of Baltimore, nearby Jonestown, and an area known as Fells Point were incorporated as the City of Baltimore in 1797. The city remained a part of Baltimore County until 1851 when it was made an independent city.
The city was the site of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. After burning Washington, D.C., the British attacked Baltimore on the night of September 13, 1814. U.S. forces from Fort McHenry successfully defended the city's harbor from the British. Francis Scott Key, a lawyer, was aboard a British ship where he had been negotiating for the release of an American prisoner. Key witnessed the bombardment from this ship and later wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner," a poem recounting the attack. Key's poem was set to a 1780 tune by British composer John Stafford Smith, and the "Star-Spangled Banner" became the official national anthem of the United States in 1931.
In the years after the war, the city's population grew rapidly. The construction of the federally funded National Road (presently U.S. Route 40) and the private Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) made Baltimore a major shipping and manufacturing center by linking the city with major markets in the Midwest.
Maryland did not secede during the Civil War. When Union soldiers marched through the city at the start of the war, Confederate sympathizers attacked the troops, which led to the Baltimore riot of 1861. Four soldiers and 12 civilians were killed during the riot, which caused Union troops to occupy Baltimore. Maryland came under direct federal administration—in part, to prevent the state from seceding—until the end of the war in April 1865.
On February 7, 1904, the Great Baltimore Fire destroyed over 1,500 buildings in 30 hours and forced most of the city to rebuild. The city grew in area by annexing new suburbs from the surrounding counties.
A riot occurred following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, coinciding with riots in other cities. The riot cost the city an estimated $10 million (about $63 million in 2008 dollars). Lasting effects of the riot can be seen some streets, where long stretches remain barren.
During the 1970s, Baltimore's downtown area, known as the Inner Harbor, had been neglected and was only occupied by a collection of abandoned warehouses. Efforts to redevelop the area started with the construction of the Baltimore Convention Center, which opened in 1979. Harborplace, an urban retail and restaurant complex, opened on the waterfront in 1980, followed by the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland's largest tourist destination, in 1981. In 1992, the Baltimore Orioles baseball team moved to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, located downtown near the harbor. Six years later the Baltimore Ravens football team moved into M&T Bank Stadium next to Camden Yards.
On January 17, 2007, Sheila Dixon became the first female mayor of Baltimore.
Government and politics
Baltimore is an independent city—not part of any county. For most governmental purposes under Maryland law, Baltimore City is treated as a "county"-level entity.
Baltimore has been a Democratic stronghold for over 150 years, with Democrats dominating every level of government.
Mayor
On November 6, 2007, incumbent Democratic Mayor Sheila Dixon was elected mayor. Dixon, as former City Council president, had assumed the office on January 17, 2007, when former Mayor Martin O'Malley took office as the governor of Maryland.
Baltimore City Council
Grassroots pressure for reform restructured the city council in November 2002, against the will of the mayor, the council president, and the majority of the council. A coalition of union and community groups backed the effort. The council is now made up of 14 single-member districts and one elected at-large council president.
State government
Prior to 1969, some considered Baltimore and its suburbs to be underrepresented in the Maryland General Assembly, while rural areas were heavily overrepresented. Since the court decision in Baker v. Carr in 1962, Baltimore and its suburbs account for a substantial majority of seats in the state legislature; this has caused some to argue that rural areas are now underrepresented. Baltimore's steady loss of population, however, has resulted in a loss of seats in the Maryland General Assembly. Since 1980, Baltimore has lost four senators from the 47-member Maryland State Senate and twelve delegates from the 141-member Maryland House of Delegates.
Federal government
Three of the state's eight congressional districts include portions of Baltimore. All three seats are held by Democrats; a Republican has not represented a significant portion of Baltimore since 1931 and has not represented any of Baltimore since 2003. Both of Maryland's senators, Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, are from Baltimore.
Economy
Once an industrial town, with an economic base focused on steel processing, shipping, auto manufacturing, and transportation, Baltimore now has a modern service economy. Although deindustrialization took its toll on the city, costing residents tens of thousands of low-skilled, high-wage jobs, the city is a growing financial, business, and health service base for the southern Mid-Atlantic region. The city is also home to Johns Hopkins Hospital, which will serve as the center of a new biotechnology park, one of two such projects currently under construction in the city.
Port of Baltimore
The port was founded in 1706, preceding the founding of Baltimore. The Maryland colonial legislature made the area near Locust Point the port of entry for the tobacco trade with England. Fells Point, the deepest point in the natural harbor, soon became the colony's main ship building center and later on became a leader in the construction of clipper ships. The California Gold Rush led to many orders for fast vessels; many overland pioneers relied upon canned goods from Baltimore. At the end of the nineteenth century, European ship lines had terminals for immigrants. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad made the port a major transshipment point. Currently the port has major roll-on roll-off facilities, as well as bulk facilities, especially for steel handling.Cite error: Closing </ref>
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As of 2006, the population was 637,455. The Baltimore–Towson metropolitan area, as of 2004, was estimated to have a population of 2.6 million.[24] The population density was 8,058.4 people per square mile (3,111.5/km²). There were 300,477 housing units at an average density of 3,718.6/sq mi (1,435.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.85% African American, 31.28% Caucasian, 0.32% Native American, 1.53% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. This census, however, does not accurately represent the city's Latino population, which has been steadily increasing over the past few years. [25] 6.2% of the population were of German ancestry, according to the 2000 census.
There were 257,996 households, out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.7% were married couples living together, 25.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.0% were non-families. 34.9% of all households are made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42, and the average family size was 3.16.
In the city, the population age spreads were 24.8% for persons under the age of 18, 10.9% for ages 18 to 24, 29.9% for ages 25 to 44, 21.2% for ages 45 to 64, and 13.2% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,078, and the median income for a family was $35,438. Males had a median income of $31,767 versus $26,832 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,978. About 18.8% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.6% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over.
Crime
According to crime statistics there were 276 homicides in Baltimore in 2006, the second-highest homicide rate per 100,000 of all U.S. cities of 250,000 or more population.[26] Though this is significantly lower than the record-high 353 homicides in 1993, the homicide rate in Baltimore is nearly seven times the national rate, six times the rate of New York City, and three times the rate of Los Angeles. In addition, other categories of crime in Baltimore have also been declining, although overall crime rates are still high compared to the national average. The rate of forcible rapes has fallen below the national average in recent years; however, Baltimore still has much higher-than-average rates of aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, and theft.[27] Baltimore was ranked as the 12th most dangerous city in the United States in 2008.
City officials have, however, come under scrutiny from Maryland legislators regarding the veracity of crime statistics reported by the Baltimore City Police Department.[28] In 2003, the FBI identified irregularities in the number of rapes reported, which was confirmed by then-Mayor Martin O'Malley. The number of homicides in 2005 appeared to exhibit discrepancies as well.[29] The former police commissioner stated upon interview that the administration suppressed corrections to its crime reports;[30] however, many of the charges made by the police commission now appear to be politically motivated.[31] Under the administration of Mayor Sheila Dixon and a new police commissioner, crime rates have been reduced, including a 40% fall in the number of murders as of April 2008.[32] As of December 3, 2008 the city has had 216 homicides.[citation needed]
Education
Colleges and universities
Baltimore is the home of numerous places of higher learning, both public and private. Among them are:
Private
![](/d/images/thumb/f/fa/JHU-V.jpg/300px-JHU-V.jpg)
- Baltimore Hebrew University (BHU)
- Baltimore International College (BIC)
- College of Notre Dame of Maryland
- The Johns Hopkins University (JHU)
- Loyola College in Maryland (LC)
- Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
- Peabody Institute
- Sojourner-Douglass College
Public
- Baltimore City Community College (BCCC)
- Coppin State University
- Morgan State University
- University of Baltimore (UB)
- University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB, formerly UMAB)
As well as those located within the city, several are located in the suburbs that surround the city. Major ones include:
- Community College of Baltimore County in Catonsville, Essex, and Dundalk (public)
- Anne Arundel Community College in Anne Arundel County (public)
- Goucher College, in Towson (private)
- Towson University, in Towson (public)
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), in Catonsville (public)
- Stevenson University, in Stevenson and Owings Mills (private) (formerly Villa Julie College (2008))
- Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Pikesville (private)
Primary and secondary schools
The city's public schools are operated by the Baltimore City Public School System and include Baltimore City College, the third oldest public high school in the country, and Western High School, the oldest public all girls school in the nation. Baltimore City College ('City') and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute ('Poly') share the nation's second-oldest high school football rivalry. Baltimore City College, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, and Western High School constitute the hardest admissions policies of any public high school in Maryland.[citation needed]
Culture
Historically a working-class port town, Baltimore has sometimes been dubbed a "city of neighborhoods," with over 300 identified districts traditionally occupied by distinct ethnic groups. Most notable today are three downtown areas along the port: the Inner Harbor, frequented by tourists due to its hotels, shops, and museums; Fells Point, once a favorite entertainment spot for sailors but now refurbished and gentrified (and featured in the movie Sleepless in Seattle); and Little Italy, located between the other two, where Baltimore's Italian-American community was based–and where current U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi grew up. Further inland, Mt. Vernon is the traditional center of cultural and artistic life of the city; it is home to a distinctive Washington Monument, set atop a hill in a 19th century urban square, that predates the more well-known monument in Washington, D.C. by several decades.
As Baltimore's demographics have changed since World War II, its cultural flavor and accents have evolved as well. Today, after decades of out-migration to suburbs beyond its corporate limits and significant in-migration of African Americans from Georgia and the Carolinas, Baltimore has become a majority black city with a significantly changed, but still regionally distinctive, dialect and culture. Recently, neighborhoods such as Federal Hill and Canton have undergone extensive gentrification and have proven to be popular places for young professionals and college students to reside. In addition, Latinos are making their mark, notably in Upper Fells Point.
Baltimore has been home to a successful black middle class and professional community for centuries. Before the Civil War, Baltimore had one of the largest concentrations of free black Americans among American cities. In the twentieth century, Baltimore-born Thurgood Marshall became the first black American justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Performing arts
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is an internationally renowned orchestra, founded in 1916. Center Stage is the premier theater company in the city and is regionally well respected. The Baltimore Opera is an important regional opera company, and The Baltimore Consort has been a leading early music ensemble for over twenty-five years. The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, home of the restored Thomas W. Lamb-designed Hippodrome Theatre, has afforded Baltimore the opportunity to become a major regional player in the area of touring Broadway and other performing arts presentations.
Media
Baltimore's main newspaper is The Baltimore Sun. It was sold by its Baltimore owners in 1986 to the Times Mirror Company, which was bought by the Tribune Company in 2000. Baltimore is the 26th-largest television market and 21st-largest radio market in the country.
Sports
Baltimore has a long and storied sporting history encompassing many teams from many different eras. The Baltimore Orioles, have represented Major League Baseball locally since 1954 when the St. Louis Browns moved to the city of Baltimore. The Orioles won three World Series Championships (1966, 1970, and 1983), advanced to the World Series in 1969, 1971, and 1979, and made the playoffs all but one year from 1969 through 1974. In 1995, local player (and future Hall of Famer) Cal Ripken, Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's "unbreakable" streak of 2,130 consecutive games played (for which he was named the Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated magazine). Six former Orioles players have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Baltimore Ravens have represented the National Football League since 1996. The team has had great success, including a Super Bowl Championship in 2001 and two division championships (2003 and 2006).
Looking to the future
Notes
- ↑ Popik, Barry. "Charm City (summary)." The Big Apple. Nicknames of Other Places. March 25, 2005. URL retrieved on May 5, 2007.
- ↑ Connery, William. "Maryland’s Mob Town Supplied Links Through Rail and Fort". May 2002. URL retrieved on January 27, 2007.
- ↑ Smith, Van. "Mob Rules". Baltimore City Paper. October 6, 2004. URL retrieved on January 27, 2007.
- ↑ Donovan, Doug (May 20, 2006). Baltimore's New Bait: The City is About to Unveil a New Slogan, 'Get In On It,' Meant to Intrigue Visitors. redorbit.com. RedOrbit. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
- ↑ Baltimore; The City of Firsts. City of Baltimore, Maryland. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
- ↑ Baltimore City Heritage Area. Maryland Historical Trust. Retrieved 2007-09-30.
- ↑ Best Monument. 2005 Baltimore Living Winners. Baltimore City Paper (2005-09-21). Retrieved 2007-09-19.
- ↑ "Baltimore, Oct. 17", Salem Gazette, 1827-10-23, p. 2. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
- ↑ Best Hook. 2006 Baltimore Arts and Entertainment Winners. Baltimore City Paper (2006-09-20). Retrieved 2007-09-23.
- ↑ Ravenstown. Baltimore Ravens. Retrieved 2008-06-07.
- ↑ O'Mara, Richard. "Backstory: Baltimore - 'Home of 1,000 Slogans'". The Christian Science Monitor. January 5, 2006. URL retrieved on January 27, 2007.
- ↑ Get in on it. Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA). URL retrieved on January 27, 2007.
- ↑ USGS detail on Baltimore. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
- ↑ Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: 2007. US Census Bureau (2008-03-27). Retrieved 2008-10-23.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Baltimore city, Maryland. Population Finder. US Census Bureau (2008-03-27). Retrieved 2008-10-23.
- ↑ Highest and Lowest Elevations in Maryland's Counties. Maryland Geological Survey. Retrieved 2007-11-14.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Average Monthly High and Low Temperatures for Baltimore, MD (21211). The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
- ↑ Climate of Baltimore. Discover Baltimore. Retrieved 2007-10-23.
- ↑ NOAA, "Maryland Average Annual Snowfall Map".
- ↑ Mirabella, Lorraine. "Downtown jobs, housing boom," The Baltimore Sun, January 30, 2007
- ↑ Profile of General Demographic Charaterics: Hillen (PDF). Baltimore City Planning Department. Retrieved 2007-10-27.
- ↑ Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: New Northwood (PDF). Baltimore City Planning Department. Retrieved 2007-10-27.
- ↑ Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: Stonewood-Pentwood-Winston (PDF). Baltimore City Planning Department. Retrieved 2007-10-27.
- ↑ Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2004 (CBSA-EST2004-01)
- ↑ Baltimore city QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau. Retrieved 2007-04-30.
- ↑ Offenses Known to Law Enforcement by State by City, 2006. Uniform Crime Report, 2006 (September 2007). Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ↑ "Baltimore Maryland Crime Statistics and Data Resources".
- ↑ "State Lawmaker Calls For Investigation Into Police"., WBAL-TV (February 14, 2006)
- ↑ "Homicide Rate, Police Procedures Questioned"., WBAL-TV (February 14, 2006)
- ↑ "Ex-Commish Raised Questions During Tenure"., WBAL-TV (February 22, 2006)
- ↑ John Wagner and Tim Craig, "Duncan Rebukes O'Malley Over Crime"., Washington Post (February 14, 2006)
- ↑ Baltimore's Murder Rate. WBAL-TV. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
External links
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- City of Baltimore Website
- Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association
- About Baltimore's Google Street View
- Baltimore History Time Line
- Visit My Baltimore
- The Baltimore Collective—MediaWiki cultural archive project for Baltimore, Maryland US
- Baltimore Development Corporation
- Baltimore Walking Tours
- Savvy Shopping in Baltimore
- Baltimore Private School Directory
- Buildings of Baltimore
- The Phoenix Shot Tower in Baltimore's Inner Harbor
- Baltimore Weather - Live weather, air quality, and archived weather from the UMBC weather station.
- Baltimore, Maryland, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
- NOAA Charts(linked 4/2007)
- Chapter 15 Baltimore to Head of Chesapeake Bay, Coast Pilot 3, 40th Edition, 2007, Office of Coastal Survey, NOAA.
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