John Smith's visit in 1608 was an exploring expedition only no settlement was intended. Over the next 25 years, English traders paid frequent calls upon the Indians here, sometimes to trade, sometimes to fight. But the most significant early contact came in 1634, just days after the first Maryland colonists landed near the mouth of the Potomac River. Advised by an English trader to seek permission from the Piscataways before establishing a settlement there, Governor Leonard Calvert sailed up the Potomac to the tribe's principal town, located on Piscataway Creek in the southern part of Prince George's County. Governor Calvert established good relations with the Piscataways, and with their permission he returned downriver to found St. Mary's City, Maryland's first settlement.

Prince George's County is a vibrant and prosperous community, one with a rich heritage and an even richer future. Named for Prince George of Denmark when it was founded in 1696, Prince George's County enjoys the traditions of nearly 300 years of history and a diversity of landscapes and lifestyles not found ELSE where in the Washington metropolitan area.

Prince George's County is known for its rapid growth and development. The population doubled from 1900 to 1930. By the 1960's Prince George's was one of the fastest growing counties in the country. Prince George's current population figures are listed at approximately 764,000 and rising. Part of the attraction to Prince George's residents and businesses alike, is its centralized location and its rich diversity. An easy blend of the old and the new, Prince George's is at once urban and rural, historic and modem, large enclaves and small towns. Located in the heart of the Baltimore/Washington Common Market, Prince George's County covers 487 square miles and borders Washington D.C. on the East and is just 37 miles south of Baltimore. Prince George's is just minutes from the political, social and cultural life of Washington, D.C. and from the many pleasures of Annapolis, the Eastern Shore and the neighboring mountain areas.

Much of Prince George's County's economic growth can be attributed to its location. Proximity to the Nations Capital has been a considerable benefit in attracting Federal contracts and installations. While a number of private, high technology and research & development firms have been attracted to Prince George's County's pro business attitudes and initiatives.

Andrews Air Force Base contributes greatly to Prince George's County economic growth. One of Prince George's major employers, it dominates much of the life in Camp Springs and Clinton. The base itself is the home of the 89th Military Airlift wing which maintains Air Force One and other aircraft used by high level government officials. Also, until recently, the headquarters of the Air Force Materiel Command, which is responsible for all Air Force research and development, was located at Andrews.

While Prince George's County is a progressive and modern community, it has not lost touch with its past. Prince George's strong link to its history can make for some noticeable contrasts. Farmers harvest tobacco as they have for 300 years right along side the modern research facilities of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. The College Park Airport, where Wilbur Wright once gave flying lessons in 1909, is just miles from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt. The grounds of the 18th century Montpelier Mansion, where George and Martha Washington are said to have stayed when traveling, is now the home of a lively cultural arts complex. with the help of an extensive highway system, one can travel from a more urban area of high-rises and shopping centers to rural communities of farms and country stores in minutes.

A rewarding mix of recreational and cultural activities awaits you in Prince George's County. Residents play golf on championship courses, attend symphonies, visit art exhibitions and frequent the USAir Arena in Landover for concert and sporting events.

Dispersed through out Prince George's County are 220 historic landmarks including mansions such as Montpelier, Belair, Marietta, Rivesdale and Darnall's Chance. Jousting tournaments are magnets for family outings, as are more recent markers of history -- NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and the National Air and Space Museum's Paul E. Garber facility in Suitland, where vintage aircraft are stored. Old fashioned harness racing can be found at the Prince George's County Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, where the Showplace arena hosts many special events for the whole family to enjoy. The new 10,000 seat, Prince George's County Stadium in Bowie, is currently the home of the Bowie Baysox, Prince George's County's Class AA minor league baseball team, an affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Children are especially fond of the Oxon Hill Children's Farm and National Colonial Farm, not to mention the water rides at Adventure world Amusement Park. The International visitors Center at the 4700-acre Patuxent Wildlife Research Center is a place were visitors can see the magnificent but endangered whooping crane and Bald eagle, which are bred and monitored here. The Prince George's Conference and visitors Bureau provides information on current and ongoing events in Prince George's County. While the Prince George's County Community Foundation, Inc. a non-profit charitable organization raises funds for the many parks and recreational, environmental, and cultural activities in Prince George's County.