Maryland, one of the Middle Atlantic states of the United States, ranks 42d among the states in area, 19th in population size, and is a leading state in population density. CHESAPEAKE BAY, the largest bay in the continental United States, almost severs the state, dividing the Eastern Shore–which is located on the DELMARVA PENINSULA (shared by Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia)–from …

Blueberry — Blueberries are flowering plants in the genus Vaccinium, sect. Cyanococcus. The species are native only to North America. They are shrubs varying in size from 10 cm tall to 4 m tall; the smaller species are known as “lowbush blueberries”, and the larger species as “highbush blueberries”. The leaves can be either deciduous or evergreen, ovate to lanceolate, …

Lockheed P-38 Lightning — The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament. Named “fork-tailed devil” by the Luftwaffe and “two planes, one pilot” by the Japanese, the P-38 …

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 — The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 (NATO reporting name: Foxbat) is a supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft that was among the fastest military aircraft to enter service. Designed by the Soviet Union’s Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau the first prototype flew in 1964 with entry into service in 1970. It has a top speed of Mach 2.83+ (as high as Mach 3.2, but …

Douglas DC-3 — The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed wing propeller driven airliner, the speed and range of which, revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made. The major military version was designated the C-47 Skytrain. Many …

Curtiss P-40B — The Curtiss P-40B, the first American monoplane fighter, was used by the Flying Tigers, an American volunteer group, to help China defend its Burma Road supply line against the Japanese in 1941-42. Painted-on shark’s teeth and Chinese Nationalist colors identified these planes. The Curtiss P-40 was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that …

Concorde — The Concorde supersonic jetliner (in service since 1976) has a cruising speed of Mach 2 (2,180 km/h; 1,354 mph) and transports about 125 passengers. It is 62 m (204 ft) long. Aerospatiale-BAC Concorde was a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger airliner, a supersonic transport (SST). It was a product of an Anglo-French government treaty, combining the manufacturing efforts of Aérospatiale …

Boeing 707 — Non-military use of jet power attained a new plateau of achievement with the advent of the commercial jet airliner. The highly successful Boeing 707 entered service in 1958. The 707, which was 46. 6 m (153 ft) long and flew at a speed of nearly Mach 1, could carry 200 passengers over transcontinental distances. The Boeing 707 …

Islam — The Arabic word Islam literally means both “surrender” and “peace”. Surrender to the will of God and the peace that is entailed in that surrender. Islam is a monotheistic religion and believe that to search for God through images is a sin. Muslim teachings correspond closely with the Old Testament of Bible, and Moses and Jesus are both accepted …

Canada Day — July 1st of each year is Canada’s most significant national holiday, equivalent to the Fourth of July in the United States. It is not an official U.S. holiday. Canadians and Americans enjoy a friendly relationship based on geographic proximity, their shared status as ex-colonies of Britain, and a longtime economic partnership. The Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Ontario …