1. Location

Maryland's central location on the East Coast puts endless opportunity within reach of all Marylanders. Daytrips to Washington D.C., weekends at the beach or in the mountainsit's all attainable when you live in Maryland. In addition, Maryland's convenient and connected airports and rail systems make travel easy.

2. The Flag

Maryland's flag doesn't just adorn the front door of Marylander's homes. You'll find it on everything from attire and accessories, to buses, license plates and lottery tickets. Marylanders showcase the colorful and unique state flag with pride.

3. Four Seasons

In Maryland, you can enjoy all four seasons. That means mild and comfortable temperatures in the spring and fall, and the opportunity to soak up all that summer and winter have to offer.

4. World-Renowned Healthcare

With 48 acute care hospitals, including the renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital, it's no wonder that WalletHub named Maryland the second best state for health care. Maryland has 22,500 doctors statewide, placing Maryland fifth in the country in physicians per capita, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

5. High Incomes

U.S. Census data shows that Marylanders make more, bringing home the highest median household income among the states at $75,847—that's 36% above the national average.

6. Sports

Marylanders love their sports. No matter what team you support, there's nothing like watching games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium—both ranked number one by Stadium Journey for offering outstanding stadium experiences. Lacrosse is the official team sport of Maryland, so it's no wonder the Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame are here, too.

7. Crabs

For visitors, Maryland blue crabs are a must-eat. Lucky locals can enjoy Maryland crab whenever they want. Whether it's cracking crabs on your back patio in the summer, or enjoying jumbo lump crab cakes at almost any restaurant, Marylanders enjoy crabs year round.

8. Diversity

Different cultures and backgrounds are welcomed and celebrated in Maryland. The WalletHub 2016 Most Diverse Cities list featured six Maryland cities in the top 15, including Gaithersburg, which earned the number one spot.

9. High Quality Education & Workforce

Maryland public schools rank fifth in Education Week's Quality Counts assessment of key indicators of student success, and Maryland schools are first in the percentage of public high school seniors who scored at the mastery level on Advanced Placement exams. Maryland's workforce is smart, too, with the highest percentage of professional and technical workers in the nation, according to U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

10. Rich History

As one of the 13 original colonies, Maryland has nearly 400 years of history, including the penning of the Star-Spangled Banner. This, and other historical moments, give Marylanders pride, plenty of historical sites to explore, and endless learning moments.