#507 Maryland, USA

Chesapeake Bay (chess-ə-peek) is an estuary lying inland from the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the states of Maryland and Virginia, the largest such body in the US. More than 150 rivers and streams flow into the Bay's 64,299 square miles (166,534 km²) drainage basin, which covers parts of six states - New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

The Bay is approximately 200 miles (300 km) long from its northern headwaters in the Susquehanna River to its outlet in the Atlantic Ocean. It is 2.8 miles (4.5 km) wide at its narrowest (between Kent County's Plum Point near Newtown and the Harford County shore near Romney Creek) and 30 miles (50 km) at its widest (just south of the mouth of the Potomac River). Total shoreline including tributaries is 11,684 miles (18,804 km), representing a surface area of 4,479 square miles (11,601 km²). Average depth is 46 feet (14 m), reaching a maximum of 208 feet (63 m).

The bay is spanned twice, in Maryland by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Sandy Point (near Annapolis) to Kent Island, and in Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connecting Virginia Beach to Cape Charles.

Known for both its beauty and bounty, the bay is becoming "emptier", with fewer crabs, oysters, and watermen in recent years.

Wikipedia.org

Date of Issue: April 5, 2013 - Vintage Seed Packets

Thank you, Sher !

Received on: February 25, 2014

#262 Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama is the 30th-most extensive and the 23rd-most populous of the 50 United States. At 1,300 miles (2,100 km), Alabama has one of the longest navigable inland waterways in the nation.

From the American Civil War until World War II, Alabama, like many Southern states, suffered economic hardship, in part because of continued dependence on agriculture. Despite the growth of major industries and urban centers, White rural interests dominated the state legislature until the 1960s, while urban interests and African Americans were under-represented.

Following World War II, Alabama experienced growth as the economy of the state transitioned from one primarily based on agriculture to one with diversified interests. The establishment or expansion of multiple United States Armed Forces installations added to the state economy and helped bridge the gap between an agricultural and industrial economy during the mid-20th century. The state economy in the 21st century is dependent on management, automotive, finance, manufacturing, aerospace, mineral extraction, healthcare, education, retail, and technology.

Alabama is unofficially nicknamed the Yellowhammer State, after the state bird. Alabama is also known as the "Heart of Dixie". The state tree is the Longleaf Pine, the state flower is the Camellia. The capital of Alabama is Montgomery. The largest city by population is Birmingham. The largest city by total land area is Huntsville. The oldest city is Mobile, founded by French colonists.

Wikipedia.org

Date of Issue: April 5, 2013 - Vintage Seed Packets: Zinnias

Date of Issue: January 23, 2013 - Butterflies: Spicebush Swallowtail

 Thank you, Carey !

Sent on: June 27, 2013

Received on: July 4, 2013