Guide Note

Chesapeake Bay is an estuary, partially enclosed by the states of Maryland and Virginia. It outlets into the Atlantic Ocean. At 200 miles long, it is the largest estuary in the United States.

Fast Facts

Largest estuary in the United States
Area: 64,299 square miles
Location: 6 states and Washington, D.C.
Shoreline: 11,000 miles

Bridges and Locations

The Chesapeake Bay has two crossing points. Virginia Beach and Cape Charles are connected by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge connects eastern and western Maryland.

The land around the bay was originally settled by the Algonquian tribe and the word "Chesapeake" is derived from the Algonquian phrase for "Great Water."

Seafood

Chesapeake Bay has a prominent fishing industry with many species highly specific to this area. Striped bass and oysters are some of the most collected seafoods. Blue crab is a highly coveted dish, especially as the populations have depleted in past decades. Blue crab is available from other areas in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Atlantic Ocean, though higher prices may be charged for authentic Maryland crab.

Categories

Geography | Travel | North America | Geographic Features

View Note History

Chesapeake Bay

The Mahalo Top 7

Official Site: Chesapeake Bay
Wikipedia: Chesapeake Bay
Wikitravel: Chesapeake Bay
Bay Gateways: Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network
Official Site: Chesapeake Bay History
Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Chesapeake Bay Foundation Saving a National Treasure
Chesapeake Bay: Satellite Imagery

Chesapeake Bay News

Googles News: Chesapeake Bay
Baltimore Sun: Chesapeake Bay 5-01-2002

Chesapeake Bay Vacation

Chesapeake Bay Sampler: Chesapeake Bay Vacations
Eastern Shore Vacations: Eastern Shore Vacation Rentals

Chesapeake Tours

Cheseapeake Lights: Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse Tours
Downtime Charters: Chesapeake Bay Day Cruising and Tours
Watermark: Annapolis Maryland Walking Tour
Schooner Woodwind: Sailing Cruises in Annapolis, Maryland

Chesapeake Bay Hotels

BayDreaming.com: Bed and Breakfast
Chesapeake Bay Hyatt: Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Beach Resort Spa: Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa

Chesapeake Bay Travel

BayDreaming.com: Chesapeake Bay Travel
National Parks Service: Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum: The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Trip Advisor: Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay Facts and History

USGS: The Chesapeake Bay: Geologic Product of Rising Sea Level
Official Site: Chesapeake Bay History
Baydreaming.com: Chesapeake Bay History
Sherpaguides.com: The Natural History of the Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay Maps and Geography

Creative Commons image by "Liam Gumley, Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison"

Creative Commons image by "Liam Gumley, Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison"

Nasa: Chesapeake Bay
Rivnet.net: Map of Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake-Bay: Chesapeake Bay Map
Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Chesapeake Bay

The Susquehanna River and Northern Bay

Bay Gateways: The Susquehanna River and Northern Bay
Bay Gateways: Susquehanna River and Northern Bay Regional Map

Eastern Shore

Eastern Shore Visitor: Eastern Shore of Virginia and Maryland
Chesapeake-Bay.com: Chesapeake Bay Upper Eastern Shore
Chesapeake-Bay.com: Chesapeake Bay Lower Eastern Shore
Chesapeake-Bay.com: Chesapeake Bay Eastern Shore of Virginia

Mouth of the Bay, Hampton Roads and James River

Bay Gateways: Mouth of the Bay, Hampton Roads & James River
Chesapeake-Bay.com: Chesapeake Bay Hampton County, Virginia
Sherpaguides.com: Chesapeake Bay Mouth of the Bay

Northern Nick, Middle Peninsula and York River

Bay Gateways: Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula & York River
Chesapeake-Bay.com: Chesapeake Bay Northern Neck
Chesapeake-Bay.com: Chesapeake Bay Middle Peninsula

Potomac River

Wikipedia: Potomac River
Bay Gateways: Potomac River Map

Maryland's Western Shore

Bay Gateways: Maryland Western Shore
Chesapeake-Bay.com: Chesapeake Bay Western Shore

Chesapeake Bay Photos and Videos

Google Image: Chesapeake Bay
Bay Gateways: Chesapeake Bay Photos
Chesapeake Bay: Chesapeake Bay Photos
Flickr: Chesapeake Bay
Google Image Search: Chesapeake Bay
Google Video Search: Chesapeake Bay

Related Searches

Maryland | Virginia | Potomac River | Mouth of the Bay | Western Shores | Eastern Shores | Estuary | Delaware | Pennsylvania | West Virginia | New York | Chesapeake Bay Bridge

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