Baltimore is the lairgest independent ceety in the Unitit States an the lairgest ceety an cultural centre o the US state o Maryland. The ceety is locatit in central Maryland alang the tidal portion o the Patapsco River, an airm o the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is whiles referred tae as Baltimore Ceety in order tae distinguish it frae surroondin Baltimore Coonty. Foondit in 1729, Baltimore is the lairgest U.S. seaport in the Mid-Atlantic an is situatit closer tae major Midwastren mercats than ony ither major seaport on the East Coast. Baltimore's Inner Harbor wis ance the seicont leadin port o entry for immigrants tae the Unitit States an a major manufacturin centre. The harbour is nou hame tae Harborplace, a shoppin, entertainment, an tourist centre, an the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Accordin tae Forbes, the ceety o Baltimore wis ratit 3rd best place tae shop in 2010. Efter a decline in manufacturin, Baltimore shiftit tae a service-orientit economy. Johns Hopkins University an Johns Hopkins Hospital are nou the ceety's lairgest employers.