Annapolis and Maryland: A Capital Within Its State

Annapolis Is *In* Maryland—Not North, South, East, or West of It

Annapolis is the capital city of Maryland. Therefore, it cannot be located "north, south, east, or west *from* Maryland"—it's *inside* the state.

Where in Maryland?

• Region: Central Maryland, Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.
• Coordinates: 38.98°N, 76.49°W.
• Relative to Baltimore: ~25 miles (40 km) south.
• Relative to Washington, DC: ~30 miles (48 km) east.

Why the Confusion?

People sometimes ask "Where is Annapolis *relative to* Maryland?" meaning "Where in the state?" Or they confuse it with the U.S. Naval Academy (located in Annapolis) or think it's a separate territory.

Key Facts

• Settled 1649; capital since 1694 (replaced St. Mary's City).
• Historic district: 18th-century brick streets, Maryland State House (oldest in continuous legislative use in US).
• Population ~40,000; swells with legislators, midshipmen, tourists.

So: Annapolis is *in* Maryland, on the Chesapeake, south of Baltimore, east of DC. It's not *from* Maryland—it's *of* Maryland.