Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis is the capital city of the state of Maryland.

It sits right on the Chesapeake Bay. The Severn River flows into the bay at the city. You can find it south of Baltimore. It is also east of Washington, D.C. The city is part of a large area called the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area.

Many people live in this busy place. The 2020 census said 40,812 people lived there. This was a 6.3% increase from 2010. Today, the city is known for many things. You might see many boats in the harbor.

This city has a very important past. It served as the capital of the United States for a short time. This happened from 1783 to 1784. During this period, the Confederation Congress met here. The Maryland State House was the place where they worked. It is the oldest building in use for laws in the country.

This house has a huge wooden dome. No nails were used to build it. In 1783, General George Washington came here. He resigned as the leader of the Continental Army. The Treaty of Paris was also approved here in 1784. This treaty ended the American Revolutionary War.

Long ago, the city started as a small settlement. In 1649, people called it Providence. They lived on the north shore of the Severn River. Later, they moved to a better harbor on the south shore. This place was called "Town at the Severn." In 1694, the town was renamed Annapolis. It was named after Princess Anne of Denmark. She later became Queen Anne of Great Britain.

The city became an official city in 1708. It grew quickly during the 1700s. It was a major center for trade and politics. People also used the city for the Atlantic slave trade.

Work in the city has changed over many years. In the past, people did many water trades. They packed oysters and built many boats. They also made sails for ships. Later, the city's trade slowed down. This happened after Baltimore became a major port in 1780. Now, many people use boats for fun instead of work.

The city is also home to important schools. St. John's College was founded in 1696. The U.S. Naval Academy was started in 1845. The academy is right next to the city. About 4,500 students study there to become sailors.

Annapolis is still a place where important things happen. In 2007, leaders met there for a peace conference. This meeting dealt with the Middle East.

The city also faces challenges from nature. In 2003, Hurricane Isabel caused a huge storm surge. It flooded much of the downtown area. The city also deals with high tides that flood the streets.

Even with these changes, the city remains a special place. It connects its deep history to the modern world. It is a place where the past and present live together.