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Historic fishing villages, picturesque small towns, first-class boating, a traditional lifestyle anchored in the Tidewater ... the banks of the Patuxent and Potomac Rivers and the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.... In Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's Counties, you'll discover first-hand why Southern Maryland Is Fun. Birders flock to this region to gaze at bald eagles, great blue herons, and more than 300 other species of birds. And after a satisfying day of bird-watching, treat yourself to a scrumptious meal of Maryland's famous blue crabs, oysters, or a freshly caught fish.

On the Eastern Shore, enjoy the splendors of the Chesapeake Bay in the counties of Dorchester, Worcester, Talbot, and Queen Anne's. On the fringes of the bay, fragile marshes and winding waterways are teeming with birds and wildlife. Three of the nation's endangered species are here: the bald eagle, the Delmarva fox squirrel, and the peregrine falcon. Canoe through creeks and rivers, explore historic towns, hike through marshes and woodlands, fish and crab on the Bay--the unspoiled beauty of the area is all around you. Don't miss the natural barrier island of Assateague, one of the state's treasures, and its legendary ponies.

Wherever you decide to go, Maryland will amaze you with all there is to see and do.

Annapolis/Anne Arundel Country

ANNAPOLIS/ANNE ARUNDEL County brings you the best of Maryland's colonial history and maritime heritage. Fronting the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, the county is a center of boating and water sports, including fishing, crabbing, sailing, and swimming. Annapolis, Maryland's capital city and America's sailing capital, has more eighteenth-century buildings and houses than any other city in the . It's also the home of the . Naval Academy (410-263-6933), founded in 1845. Stop at the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center for a map of the facilities, and don't miss the model ships and history exhibits at the Academy's Museum. If you prefer the countryside, drive along the rural western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, past fishing villages and farms dating from the colonial era, to the "lost" town of London, unearthed in the 1990s.

Calvert Country

IN THIS SOUTHERN MARYLAND county, you can take a cruise around Solomons Island, a historic fishing village where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay. You can hunt for more than 600 species of fossils on the open beaches at Calvert Cliffs State Park--majestic cliffs, formed more than 15 million years ago, that dominate the Chesapeake Bay. Walk on the elevated boardwalk through the primeval beauty of Battle Creek Cypress Swamp in Prince Frederick, the northernmost naturally occurring stand of bald cypress in America. Visit the picturesque towns of Chesapeake Beach and North Beach. Here you'll find the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum and the largest fleet of charterboats in the state. When you visit Calvert County, you'll discover why Southern Maryland Is Fun.

Charles Country

LESS THAN AN HOUR FROM Washington, . and Annapolis, Charles County is a haven for nature lovers and history buffs on southern Maryland's coastal plain. Enjoy first-class fishing, 150 miles of spectacular shoreline, beautiful forests, and many lakes, ponds, and extensive wetlands.

The county's abundant undeveloped areas support a dense population of bald eagles and 321 other bird species. Every spring for the past fifty years, nearly 1,500 great blue herons have nested in the treetops of Nanjemoy Creek Great Blue Heron Sanctuary. This creek, popular with fishermen, also is a good spot to sight ospreys and bald eagles.

The Chicamuxen Wildlife Management Area (301-743-5161), tucked away on a peninsula, harbors rare and endangered species, such as the Louisiana thrush, on about twenty acres of wetlands. Purse State Park (301-743-7613), a ninety-acre reserve of gently rolling hills, woods, and marshlands, is the perfect site for fossil hunting. And Cobb Island, bordered by the Potomac and Wicomico Rivers, lures birdwatchers as well as fishing, boating, and seafood lovers.

History buffs won't want to miss the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House (301-645-6870) in Waldorf, home to the country doctor who set the leg of John Wilkes Booth, President Lincoln's assassin, unwittingly helping him to escape to Virginia. Costumed guides now take visitors around the early Victorian frame farmhouse, dating to about 1754 and furnished with original pieces. Also a must-see is the small town of Benedict, the only spot in the United States where foreign troops have invaded our shores. During the War of 1812, British forces landed in Benedict, marched to Washington, ., and burned the city.

Dorchester Country

DORCHESTER COUNTY IS THE Heart of Chesapeake Country. Marshes and waterways are filled with wildlife and birds, and quaint watermen's villages are sprinkled through the "Cape Cod of the South." The port town of Cambridge, founded in 1684, is lined with historic homes and museums, including the Brannock Maritime Museum, with exhibits on Chesapeake Bay history. Outside of Cambridge, the Dorchester Heritage Museum has exhibits on aviation, archaeology, and local history, and the Richardson Museum focuses on the Bay's long heritage of wooden boat building. Also nearby is the Spocott Windmill, the only post windmill in Maryland, which still grinds flour on special occasions. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, just south of Cambridge, is an important nesting and feeding area for three of the nation's endangered species: the bald eagle, the Delmarva fox squirrel, and the peregrine falcon. And at the Harriet Tubman Museum, learn about the famous woman who helped slaves escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Frederick Country

NESTLED IN THE APPALACHIAN Mountains and Piedmont Plateau, Frederick County has more farms than any other county in Maryland. Vineyards and covered bridges dot this county, and the largest water garden in the ., the Lilypons Water Gardens, is in Buckeystown. The county also is a center of Civil War history sites, including the Monocacy National Battlefield, the site of the 1864 battle that played a pivotal role in defending Washington . The Barbara Fritchie House and Museum is a replica of the house where 96-year-old Fritchie reportedly confronted General Stonewall Jackson when Confederate forces marched into Frederick in early September 1862.

Garrett Country

IN THE MOUNTAINS OF WESTERN Maryland, the Deep Creek Lake Area offers visitors recreation and relaxation in 90,000 acres of lakes, forests, rivers, and parkland.

From the high adventure of whitewater sports on the Youghiogheny and Savage rivers to peaceful paddling on lakes and reservoirs, there is something for everyone.

Eco-tourism and nature tourism opportunities abound, with guided excursions and rental equipment available for hiking, birding, mountain biking, canoeing, rafting, or kayaking.

This rural area is sparsely populated--only thirteen traffic signals in the entire county. The small towns reflect a quieter time: neighbors still gather in community parks for picnics on the 4th of July and caroling at Christmas. Shops and festivals feature the craftsmanship of Allegheny Mountain artisans and the elegant simplicity of Amish woodworking.

Where the National Road crossed the northern part of the county in the 1800s, inns and taverns were built to accommodate travelers. Some of these still welcome visitors seeking lodging or a home-cooked meal.

At the end of the nineteenth century, the B&O railroad brought the wealthy and powerful from "down east" to vacation in the cool mountain summers. Many ornate Victorian "cottages" remain in the Mountain Lake Park area.

Montgomery Country

JUST OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON, ., Montgomery County is not your ordinary suburb. It offers visitors the best of urban sophistication and country leisure, from museums and galleries to theaters, historic sites, and pristine parks. Start your exploration with a visit to Glen Echo, a former amusement park that now is a year-round center of dance, theater, and the arts. The park includes the Clara Barton National Historic Site (301-492-6245), which commemorates the life of the founder of the American Red Cross. Then explore the nearby Chesapeake and Ohio (C & O) Canal National Historic Park, near the Potomac River. The canal was operated from 1828 to 1924, primarily for hauling coal, and hundreds of original structures, including locks, lock houses, and aqueducts, remain. Plan a hike or bike tour along the canal's towpath, which provides a nearly level, continuous trail through the spectacular scenery of the Potomac River Valley.

If you'd rather be fishing, head to Little Seneca Lake in Black Hill Regional Park, just north of Germantown, where you might hook some largemouth bass, tiger musky, crappie, catfish, and several types of sunfish. Rent a rowboat or canoe, take a ride on a pontoon boat, or find a spot in the fishing pier. Hike, horseback, or mountain bike through the miles of trails that meander through the quiet forests of this vast park. After a day in the outdoors, treat yourself to a feature at the Olney Theatre Center (301-924-3400), presenting the musical satire Mainstage through March 30th.

Prince George's Country

BORDERING WASHINGTON, . and a mere thirty-seven miles from Baltimore, Prince George's County offers a range of historic, cultural, and popular tourist sites.

Tour historic homes such as Darnall's Chance House Museum (301-952-8010) in Upper Marlboro, one of Maryland's oldest buildings, dating to 1704; the Montpelier Mansion and Cultural Arts Center (301-953-1376) in Laurel, a fine eighteenth-century Georgian house that was a haunt of George and Martha Washington's; the Marietta House Museum (301-464-5291) in Glenn Date, a plantation home from circa 1813; and Riversdale (301-864-0420) in Riverdale Park, built between 1801 and 1807 and patterned after an eighteenth-century Belgian mansion.

Aviation fans won't want to miss the free tour of the Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility (reserve a tour at 202-357-1400), where aircraft are restored before they are displayed at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum; the College Park Aviation Museum (301-864-6029); or the Airmen Memorial Museum (800-638-0594) in Suitland, honoring leaders in aviation.

Schedule a visit at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and Museum (301-286-8981) in Greenbelt, the major . laboratory for developing and operating unmanned scientific spacecraft. On March 18th, you can participate in Goddard's Sun-Earth Day 2003: Live From the Aurora, and learn about the sun, its structure, and processes.

If you have children, don't miss Prince George's most popular tourist attraction: Six Flags America (301-249-1500). The theme park features an exciting collection of roller coasters, including the new Batwing, where you fly face down through corkscrews and twists.

Queen Anne's Country

IN LOVELY QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY, on the scenic Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, enjoy a succulent crab or oyster dinner beside a bustling marina, fish and crab on the Bay, boat through wandering rivers, bicycle through historic and picturesque small towns, and hike through marshes and woodlands on the Cross Island Trail.

Start your visit on Kent Island, just across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Established as a trading post in 1631, the island is the oldest settlement in Maryland. In Stevensville, the island's largest town, visit the restored Stevensville Train Depot and Christ Church, home to Maryland's oldest congregation, founded in 1631.

Matapeake State Park, on the island's western shore, offers views of the Bay Bridge, boat ramps, and a 900-foot-long fishing pier. Terrapin Beach Nature Park, off MD 18, includes a one-mile nature trail, pond, two observation blinds, and a boardwalk to the Chesapeake Bay.

Just east of the island, in Grasonville, the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, operated by the Wildfowl Trust of North America, is a 500-acre sanctuary with trails around six waterfowl ponds, each representing a different wetland habitat. You may. see deer, red fox, herons, swans, turtles, geese, and many species of ducks and other migratory birds traveling north and south on the Atlantic Flyway. The visitor center has a large picture window overlooking a waterfowl pond, hands-on exhibits for children, and an aquarium featuring creatures from the Chesapeake Bay.

The sixty-acre lake at Tuckahoe State Park, six miles north of the town of Queen Anne, is a haven for boaters and anglers. Tuckahoe Creek meanders through the park's wooded marshlands, and the Adkins Arboretum is home to native Maryland trees and plants.

St. Mary's Country

SHAPED BY THE CHESAPEAKE BAY and its mighty tributaries, the Patuxent and Potomac Rivers, St. Mary's County lies on a verdant peninsula that has fostered a traditional lifestyle anchored in the natural bounty of the Tidewater. Historic sites abound, including St. Mary's City, the state's colonial capital and its premier outdoor living history museum and archaeological park. The tidal landscape of creeks and tributaries offers great opportunities for canoeing and kayacking, and here, the waterman's way of life still centers on the seasonal harvest of crabs and oysters--available for sampling at crabhouses and waterside eateries throughout the county.

Talbot Country

IN TALBOT COUNTY, EXPLORE the unspoiled beauty and historic lore of Maryland's Eastern Shore. Start your tour of this county's charming and historic small towns in the waterfront village of St. Michaels, called "the town that fooled the British" because during the War of 1812 the townspeople hung lanterns in the trees and the British cannons overshot the houses. Here, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum features exhibits on boat building, Chesapeake Bay craft, steamships, and decoy carving. Easton, rated among the Top Ten Best Small Towns in America, is a nostalgic All-American hometown, and Tilghman Island, surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay, is a working watermen's village with excellent fishing (it's home to the last commercial sailing fleet in North America) and fresh seafood.

Take the longest cable-free ferry in the . to Oxford, once a major. port and shipbuilding center, or explore picturesque Wye Mills, home to the historic Grist Mill and Museum, the Wye Church, and the Little Red Schoolhouse.

Worcester Country

YEAR AFTER YEAR, VISITORS return to the untouched wilderness of Worcester County, where they sail, canoe past majestic cypresses along the Pocomoke River, catch crabs, and fish on the bays, rivers, ocean, and inlets.

Situated on Maryland's lower eastern shore, Worcester was not connected to the mainland until 1952, and it's retained much of its natural beauty. Bald eagles, snowy egrets, great blue herons, otters, muskrat, and deer inhabit the banks of the Pocomoke River. The county is home to the year-round beach resort of Ocean City, the pristine marshlands of Assateague, a natural barrier island, and the quaint historic town of Berlin, with its clusters of charming bed-and-breakfasts, historic inns, and antique stores.

Worcester also offers visitors a unique glimpse into the lives of early African-American pioneers, who settled the county in the mid-1600s. In the Berlin community of Germantown, visit two of the oldest structures from this period: the Comfort Powell House and, right next door, the New Bethel Methodist Church. The Julia A. Purnell Museum in Snow Hill displays the memorabilia of William Julius "Judy" Johnson, who enjoyed a professional baseball career from 1918 to 1939. In Pocomoke City, the Sturgis One Room School Museum, built about one hundred years ago, is an African-American schoolhouse.

Johns Hopkins University Press

FOUNDED IN 1878 IN BALTIMORE, Johns Hopkins is the oldest university press in continuous operation in North America. Three recent publications are of special interest to naturalists. Birds of the Mid-Atlantic and Where to Find Them, by John Rappole, is a comprehensive field guide to bird life in this area, with lists of the best sites to spot specific birds. It provides extensive information about every species: description, identification details, habitat, vocalization, range, seasonal occurrence, and distribution. Each entry is accompanied by a color photograph. Rock Creek Park, by Gail Spilsbury, celebrates Rock Creek Park, a resplendent wilderness retreat in Washington, . Spilsbury tells the riveting story of the park's formation and preservation, focusing on how Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and other visionaries laid down precedents for its preservation. In The Great Marsh: An Intimate Journey into a Chesapeake Wetland, David W. Harp's stunning photography and Tom Horton's graceful prose capture the beauty and essence of the disappearing marshland of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Dorchester County. The fertile waters and soggy vegetation are home to ducks, geese, eagles, and dozens of other species. Essays discuss how the endangered marsh functions as a refuge for migrating butterflies and the bogs yield archaeological treasures.