Is it true Maryland has no identity or basically any culture?

[tcave360]

Originally Posted by mapmd

What part of Virginia does Maryland "rest upon"? Does anyone around here own a map or an atlas?Completely different worlds. Baltimore is not D.C. Annapolis is it's own animal too. They are all culturally distinct. Obviously this adds to the confusion, doubly so for outsiders such as yourself, and is the whole reason so many threads like this get created.

I was a little baffled by that one too....Both states are seperate by river. Depending on where in the Maryland Suburbs of DC and Southern Maryland you live, can't get to VA unless you you take Metro or drive through DC and/or across a bridge.

[rdflk]

As an outsider who lives in Maryland, it is my observation that Maryland has distinct parts (Eastern Shore, Western Maryland, Southern Maryland, and Central Maryland) that are alike within themselves, but as a whole, no, I do not see a unifying Maryland identity. Each part is most like its neighboring State than another part of Maryland.

I’d agree with that...several regional areas that may have their own characteristics -- but no one unifying identity.

[andrew_s]

Originally Posted by mapmd

What part of Virginia does Maryland "rest upon"? Does anyone around here own a map or an atlas?Completely different worlds. Baltimore is not D.C. Annapolis is it's own animal too. They are all culturally distinct. Obviously this adds to the confusion, doubly so for outsiders such as yourself, and is the whole reason so many threads like this get created.

Originally Posted by tcave360

I was a little baffled by that one too....Both states are seperate by river. Depending on where in the Maryland Suburbs of DC and Southern Maryland you live, can't get to VA unless you you take Metro or drive through DC and/or across a bridge.

Western Maryland, WV and NW Virginia share Appalachian culture. Central Maryland and NOVA (i95 from RVA to Baltimore) share metropolitan/suburban/semi urban like culture. Southern Maryland and Eastern Virginia share a tidewater culture. Last but not least Delmarva shares Eastern shore culture from Kent countys in both DE and MD down to the end of Virginia.

Having grown up in and around MD, VA, southern DE and eastern WV I can say without a doubt these states share strong cultural ties. Extreme southwest PA share some similarities with extreme western MD and WV too. IMHO MD, WV, VA and southern DE should all have been 1 state or at the very least broken into the 4 cultural sections I mentioned above.

Fathers side lives in and around the Blueridge mountains on the MD and VA line. My late great grandparents and Aunts farm backs up to the potomac where she/they used to sit out and watch the river and VA all day. Moms side is straight up southern MD tidewater making me 2nd generation pronouncing my "R" and saying coins instead of CO - INs.

[BigCityDreamer]

Every state in America has parts that share similarities with neighboring states. Nothing surprising about that at all.

The fact that Maryland has so many distinct parts only adds to the richness and variety of the state.

[Infinite_heights77]

The cultural identity of Maryland is complex at best. There are so many variables to consider.

[tcave360]

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

Every state in America has parts that share similarities with neighboring states. Nothing surprising about that at all.

The fact that Maryland has so many distinct parts only adds to the richness and variety of the state.

Exactly, don't know why this escapes some people on this thread. As I said before, this isn't even strictly a Maryland thing. At all.

[DistrictSonic]

I am going to eat a crab cake and watch a John Waters movie and contemplate the OP question further.

[westsideboy]

Originally Posted by tcave360

Exactly, don't know why this escapes some people on this thread. As I said before, this isn't even strictly a Maryland thing. At all.

Part of the difference is the size and shape of the state. Many states have distinct regions, but the number of regions, small size, and very narrow (in many places) shape of the state tends to make it easier for people in most parts of MD to shop, work, recreate, and relate to a neighboring state more than the rest of our own.

I mean, what is the "heart of MD?" My answer would be Annapolis.....but even still, you are just one county away from a border with PA. Contrast with most other states, even east coast ones, where you can be so deep inside a state, you can drive for hours without hitting a bordering state. That doesn't exist in MD, and I do think it makes a difference in how natives perceive both our own regions, and Maryland as a whole.

[Infinite_heights77]

"Western Maryland, WV and NW Virginia share Appalachian culture."

*This can affectionately be considered Hillbilly culture.

Originally Posted by andrew_s

Western Maryland, WV and NW Virginia share Appalachian culture. Central Maryland and NOVA (i95 from RVA to Baltimore) share metropolitan/suburban/semi urban like culture. Southern Maryland and Eastern Virginia share a tidewater culture. Last but not least Delmarva shares Eastern shore culture from Kent countys in both DE and MD down to the end of Virginia.

Having grown up in and around MD, VA, southern DE and eastern WV I can say without a doubt these states share strong cultural ties. Extreme southwest PA share some similarities with extreme western MD and WV too. IMHO MD, WV, VA and southern DE should all have been 1 state or at the very least broken into the 4 cultural sections I mentioned above.

Fathers side lives in and around the Blueridge mountains on the MD and VA line. My late great grandparents and Aunts farm backs up to the potomac where she/they used to sit out and watch the river and VA all day. Moms side is straight up southern MD tidewater making me 2nd generation pronouncing my "R" and saying coins instead of CO - INs.