PHYSIOGRAPHY

• Physiographic Map of Maryland

Maryland is divided into three provinces with progressively higher altitudes from east to west.

1) Coastal Plain Province: extends from Atlantic Ocean to Fall Line, a natural line running from Delaware boundary, around head of Chesapeake Bay, through Baltimore, and southwest to Washington, where streams drop to lower land level;

2) Piedmont or "Foothill" Province: extends from Fall Line to base of Catoctin Mountains;

3) Appalachian Province: extends from base of Catoctin Mountains to western boundary of State.

Mean elevation, 350 feet.

Maximum elevation, 3,360 feet at Backbone Mountain.

Longest north-south: 125.5 miles-Pennsylvania line to Virginia line at Smith Point on south shore mouth of Potomac River.

Shortest north-south: 1.9 miles-Pennsylvania line to south bank of Potomac River near Hancock.

Farthest points: northwest corner to southeast corner at Atlantic Ocean, 254.7 miles.

Atlanta, 738
Boston, 392
Chicago, 668
New York City, 196
Philadelphia, 96
Pittsburgh, 218
Richmond, 143
Washington, DC, 37

Maryland at a Glance

Maryland Manual On-Line