The provided text is an extensive, encyclopedic entry detailing the history, geography, economy, and demographics of the state of Maryland. It systematically covers Maryland’s colonial beginnings, including its founding as a Catholic haven and the subsequent religious and political strife, through its participation in the Civil War, and its post-WWII economic and population boom, heavily influenced by its proximity to Washington, D.C. The geography section highlights the state's varied climate and topography, which earns it the moniker "America in Miniature," while the demographics section emphasizes its status as a majority-minority state due to its large African-American population and diverse immigrant communities. Finally, the entry outlines Maryland's