Baltimore is the largest independent city* in the United States and is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River. Founded in 1729 Baltimore quickly grew into a a tobacco-based economy with regular shipments to Europe by 1742. 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 Inner Harbor was once the second leading port of entry for immigrants to the United States and a major manufacturing center. The harbor is now home to Harborplace, a shopping, entertainment, and tourist center, and the National Aquarium in Baltimore. After a decline in manufacturing, Baltimore shifted to a service-oriented economy. Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital are now the city’s largest employers.
*An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. In the United States it typically means it’s a city that’s not part of any county or associated with any county government.
