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Area Information
Chesapeake
Bay
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It
all starts with water, not much, just a trickle from a spring or
surface water from rain. The trickle joins many more to form a
rivulet, then a stream or brook, later a creek, eventually a river,
all forms of tributaries which feed into a major body of water – in
this case the Chesapeake Bay which is nourished by more than 150 rivers and
creeks as well as thousands of minor tributaries.
Our bay is an estuary where fresh water and tidal salt water mix. It
is surrounded by a vast watershed of 64,000 square miles involving
five states and the District of Columbia. The 190 mile long
Chesapeake supports extraordinary ecosystems that sustains 3600
species of plants and animals living in diverse habitats. With 12,000 miles
of shore line, it’s no wonder, that the bay attracts more than a
million wildfowl a year and hosts a major fish and shellfish
industry, notably the blue crabs, oysters and striped bass.
The Chesapeake region provided a unique haven for early habitants,
explorers, settlers from Great Britain and the Continent and
presently it is a magnet for their many descendants along with
thousands of others who are attracted to our “faire shores.”
Eastern Shore
 The
divided shorelines of the Chesapeake are part of the “Tidewater”
region and further defined as “The Eastern Shore” on the Delmarva
Peninsular and called the “Western Shore” opposite on the mainland.
The Eastern Shore of Maryland is the most distinctive area, even though
it is still largely rural and unimproved. Our portion of the
Delmarva Peninsula is dotted with historic towns that trace their
roots to the 1600’s. Intertwined between these settlements are rural
landscapes, wetlands, and waterways, creating a culture of farming
and fishing that is unique even today.
In some places, things haven’t changed for nearly three centuries,
the pace of life is slower, the villages are still picturesque and
the architecture is a lesson in history. It has been said that the
“…abundant resources of the Eastern Shore led its inhabitants to
foster the tradition of easy living and a generous lifestyle,…” and
to this day, the Eastern Shore has a singular culture. Lying distant
from the main travel routes, there are no superhighways, or major
airports, preserving this area as the beginning or the end of a
journey.
The most popular section is the mid-shore, highlighted by Talbot
County, which includes the city of Easton, the towns of Oxford, St
Michaels and Trappe, and Tilghman Island. Southerly, the historic
City of Cambridge in Dorchester County is fast becoming attractive for
tourists and new home developments especially around the Choptank River,
made famous by Mitchner’s famous novel, "Chesapeake".
Talbot County maintains its rural and historical character even
though it is close to the major population centers of Baltimore,
Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, Philadelphia and South Jersey.
Its popularity even extends to vacationers and weekend commuters
from the metropolitan area of New York.
Residents, seasonal owners and visitors are attracted by a moderate
climate and the 600 miles of waterfront, surrounded by a countryside
where 80% of the land is either farms woods or fields. Talbot County
is rapidly becoming the last port of call, as retirees find an
almost perfect combination of a quiet settled atmosphere along with
sufficient facilities and amenities to satisfy any active lifestyle.
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