The western portion of the state contains stretches of the Appalachian Mountains, the central portion is primarily composed of the Piedmont, and the eastern side of the state makes up a significant portion of Chesapeake Bay. Sixteen of Maryland's twenty-three counties, and the city of Baltimore, border the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay estuary and its many tributaries, which combined total more than 4,000 miles of shoreline. Although one of the smallest states in the U.S., it features a variety of climates and topographical features that have earned it the moniker of America in Miniature. In a similar vein, Maryland's geography, culture, and history combine elements of the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, and Southern regions of the country.
The western portion of the state contains stretches of the Appalachian Mountains the central portion is primarily composed of the Piedmont and the eastern side of the state makes up a significant portion of Chesapeake Bay Sixteen of Maryland's twenty-three counties and the city of Baltimore border the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay estuary and its many tributaries which combined total more than 4000 miles of shoreline Although one of the smallest states in the US it features a variety of climates and topographical features that have earned it the moniker of America in Miniature In a similar vein Maryland's geography culture and history combine elements of the Mid-Atlantic Northeastern and Southern regions of the country