Maryland may be small, at just 12,406 square miles, but it’s packed with charm, history, and some delightfully odd facts. It’s even got 2 nicknames— The Old Line State and The Free State. Here are five fun (and slightly quirky) facts about Maryland.

1. Maryland's State Sport is... Jousting?

While other states lean into football or baseball, Maryland proudly claims jousting as its official state sport. The medieval pastime has been around since colonial times, and to this day, jousting tournaments are held across the state. Knights in shining armor, right in your backyard! So, next time you’re watching the Summer Olympics, show your Maryland pride by watching the jousting events. If you ever go to the Maryland Renaissance Festival, be sure to catch a jousting tournament.

2. The First U.S. Railroad Took Off Here

If you’ve played Monopoly, that B&O Railroad square is a nod to Maryland’s railway history! The Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad, founded in 1827, was the first commercial railroad in the U.S. Now we have Amtrak and the MARC train. In 2023, over three million passengers rode through Baltimore Penn Station, which is the sixth busiest Amtrak station in the country. 

3. There Are No Natural Lakes in Maryland

All of the lakes in Maryland are man-made reservoirs created by damming rivers. However, geologic surveys show that a lake once covered 160 acres in western Maryland during the late Pleistocene era. Man-made lakes in Maryland include Lake Habeeb in Allegany County, Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, and Loch Raven Reservoir in Baltimore County.

4. The State Crustacean is the Blue Crab

Most states have state birds or flowers, but Maryland takes it up a notch with an official state crustacean—the blue crab! These feisty little guys are a big deal, and Marylanders take their crab feasts very seriously. Old Bay seasoning is practically a way of life here, as are mallets for breaking open their hard shells. Steamed or fried, these are a staple in our state. Dunk ‘em in melted butter!