Western Maryland

The climate of Western Maryland is more akin to the mountains of northern West Virginia than to any other part of Maryland. Summers tend to be much cooler than in the rest of the state, and winters harsher. Temperatures in winter can drop to below on around eight nights per winter, and snowfall averages from farther east to over in the higher elevations. In comparison, Prince George's County, in the eastern part of the Washington metropolitan area, would previously average only of snow and wintertime maxima exceeded on a third of all days. The regional climate is classified as humid continental (Dfa/Dfb) except in some lower-elevation areas of Washington County which have a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Below is climate data for Hagerstown, the largest city in Western Maryland, located in Washington County, the easternmost and lowest elevation county in Western Maryland. Below is climate data for Oakland, located in Garrett County, the westernmost and highest elevation county in Western Maryland. Below is climate data for Cumberland, the seat of Allegany County: According to the Köppen climate classification Hagerstown is Cfa, Oakland is Dfb, and Cumberland is Dfa. ==History==

In 1748, the Western Maryland population was finally large enough to create a new county called Frederick County; at the time, the county stretched further west than it does today. In the earliest part of the colonial days, German immigrants that came from Pennsylvania had the most influence on the development of the plains and valleys of Western Maryland. Named for George Washington, Washington County was founded in 1776, by division of Frederick County. The largest city in this county is Hagerstown. It was named after Jonathan Hager, a German settler. the Act was passed because: (1) One in every three Appalachians lived in poverty; (2) Per capita income was 23% less than the US average; and (3) High unemployment and harsh living conditions had, in the 1950s, forced more than 2 million Appalachian people to leave their homes and seek work in other regions. For the state of Maryland, this act was intended to bring awareness to the poverty levels of the Western Maryland counties. The program that was developed for this act was called the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The main goal of the ARC was to improve the development of the economy, and bring this region into socioeconomic parity with the rest of the nation. ==County population==

According to the 2010 U.S. census, the three westernmost counties of Maryland have a population of 252,614, accounting for 4.4% of the population of Maryland. The most populated county is Washington County, which is home to approximately 147,430 people. Allegany County is the next most populated county with 75,087 people, while Garrett County is the least populated with 30,097 people. ==Major communities==

The following are some of the major cities in Western Maryland by county, in descending order of population, along with the city population of the 2020 census. Washington County: • Hagerstown (43,527) • Boonsboro (3,336) • Smithsburg (2,975) • Williamsport (2,137) • Hancock (1,546) Allegany County: • Cumberland (20,859) • Frostburg (9,002) • Westernport (1,888) Garrett County: • Mountain Lake Park (2,092) • Oakland (1,925) ==Economy==

Western Maryland has a heavily agricultural economy. Its best-known crops are the apples grown in the Cumberland Valley, but corn, potatoes, beans, and varieties of green-leaf vegetables are grown as well. Mixed crop and livestock farms are common, and the region has a large number of dairy cattle farms. ==Tourism==

Tourism is very important to Western Maryland. There is a thriving tourist industry, and has been noted as having "potential for significant growth." Western Maryland has a number of sites with significance for military history, particularly the Civil War. In 1862, Washington County was home to one of the Civil War's bloodiest single-day battles at Antietam National Battlefield. Western Maryland, particularly Cumberland, is also home to transportation themed tourism. The Downtown Cumberland Historic District is a National Register Historic District, and Cumberland's Western Maryland Railway Station is a popular site. Garrett County is also well known for its numerous state parks and outdoor activities. Places such as Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County are frequented by many visitors every year. The largest lake in Western Maryland is Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County. The 4,000 acre body of water is owned by the State of Maryland and is man made. Construction began in 1920 and the lake was filled by 1929. It was originally made to power a small scale hydroelectric plant, but was eventually turned into a tourist destination. The lake is currently managed for boating and fishing, although it still provides some water to generate electricity. The Deep Creek Lake State Park offers fishing piers, beach and swim area, covered pavilions, and opportunities for camping. Maryland's only ski resort, Wisp Ski Resort, is located on a 172 acre property next to Deep Creek Lake. Hosting a year-round mountain coaster and cross country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter, it is a major tourist attraction in the region. ==Sports==

Sports teams in Western Maryland include the following: Garrett County along the Savage River has played host to two ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in 1989 and 2014. ==Education==

Colleges in Western Maryland include: • Allegany College of Maryland – community college • Frostburg State University • Garrett College – community college • Hagerstown Community College – community college ==Potential state==

In 2014, it was reported that some residents want the region to form a new state, which would include Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick, and Carroll counties. Local supporters of partitioning western Maryland (dubbed "the Western Maryland Initiative") cited a perception of political domination by the more populous eastern portion of the state, particularly with reference to such issues as gun control, taxation, and same-sex marriage. ==See also==