Columbia, Maryland
Columbia is a census-designated place situated in Howard County at the heart of the US State of Maryland. This planned community is home to a flourishing tech sector, a wealth of entertaining activities, easy public transportation access, and proximity to major educational institutions. The layout of Columbia was created by real estate developer James W. Rouse, who had previously invented enclosed retail malls in the 1950s, which have since become a common sight in American suburbs. Columbia departs significantly from conventional ideas of what makes up a "city" because the planner divided the highly inhabited but unmistakably suburban metropolis into ten "villages," each of which is further divided into several neighborhoods, giving the city a less visible center.
Geography And Climate Of Columbia
Being one of the major communities of the Washington-Baltimore Combined Statistical Area, Columbia is situated approximately 48 km northwest of Annapolis, 40 km northeast of Washington D.C., and 32 km southwest of Baltimore. Neighboring towns include Ellicott City to the north, Elkridge to the east, Laurel to the south, and Gaithersburg to the west. Since Columbia is an unincorporated area, its exact borders are unclear. Columbia proper refers to only that territorty which is administered by the Columbia Association. Columbia covers a total area of 83.4 sq.km, of which 82.7 sq.km is occupied by land and 0.7 sq.km is covered by water.
As a lake-surrounded Mid-Atlantic city, Columbia experiences a humid subtropical climate, with warm, humid summers and chilly, snowy winters. Throughout the year, the average temperatures vary between 26°F to 86°F and infrequently fall below 13°F or rise over 94°F. The year's hottest month is July, having an average daily high temperature exceeding 77°F. Having an average temperature of less than 50°F, January is the year's coldest month. On average, the city receives 17 inches of snow and 45 inches of rain annually.
Brief History Of Columbia
James W. Rouse, the community's architect and developer, purchased 68 acres inside the city limits of Baltimore in the summer of 1961 to build a residential neighborhood that would adhere to the same exacting standards as his commercial center constructions. While this new neighborhood, Cross Keys, was still being built, Rouse shifted his focus to creating a brand-new city, Columbia, which would be located halfway between Baltimore and Washington D.C. Rouse looked at many potential sites for a new model town that would adhere to his concepts, but he finally decided on a region between Baltimore and Washington D.C., because of its expansion potential and proximity to such significant urban areas.
Beginning in 1963, Columbia was planned with the premise that a city could improve the quality of life for its citizens. He envisioned the new neighborhood in terms of human values as well as economics and engineering. When Columbia was built, it was intended to address racial, religious, and economic segregation in addition to the drawbacks of the time's subdivision designs. In the late 1950s, he started building shopping centers before shifting his attention to master-planned communities.
The Population And Economy Of Columbia
Columbia is Maryland's second-most populous community after Baltimore, with 104,681 residents. The population of Columbia has increased by 0.27% from the most recent census and is currently expanding at a pace of 0.48% yearly. White (Non-Hispanic) (44.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (27%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (13.3%), White (Hispanic) (5.88%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.69%) make up the top five ethnic groups in Columbia. The poverty rate in Columbia is 7.63%, with an average household income of $128,543, and the median value of a home being $385,900. The median age is 38.4 years, with 35.5 years for men and 41.4 years for women.
Attractions In Columbia
Lake Kittamaqundi
Lake Kittamaqundi, which was created during the founding of Columbia, is currently a well-liked recreation spot for both locals and tourists. Around the 27-acre lake's circumference, there is a paved 2.5-mile multi-use track where one can go for biking, running, or walking. Numerous secluded picnic spots, drinking fountains, and spotless public restrooms may be found throughout the route. There are several excellent eateries and shops in the lakeshore area, as well as a boat launch and wooden pier from which one may launch a paddleboat or kayak.
Wilde Lake
In 1967, the Columbia Association transformed a low-lying rough grass meadow with a little brook into Wilde Lake, a 22-acre artificial lake. The depth of Wilde Lake varies from 13 feet at the back of the dam to almost 8 feet in the middle. Wilde Lake's dam is 200 feet wide and 15 feet high, and it has four poured concrete stairs adorned with logs to highlight the beauty of the flowing water. Even though this is a well-liked trail for trail running, paddling, and birding, it may still be quiet at some times of the day.
Centennial Park
A 2.4-mile circle around the lake, tennis and basketball courts, baseball diamonds, and playgrounds are all part of the 325-acre Centennial Park. Visitors can enjoy natural wildflower regions, rent a boat, go fishing, have a picnic, and witness a variety of birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife.
Mall In Columbia
The Mall In Columbia, which provides a fantastic combination of upscale department stores, quaint boutiques, restaurants, theaters, and more, was constructed to meet the demands of the planned town of Columbia. Shoppers can have a great time browsing the more than 200 specialty stores in the inviting open-air atmosphere. The mall currently offers a movie theater and a food court with a variety of options thanks to renovations and additions.
Lake Elkhorn
The Owen Brown area of Columbia has a 37-acre reservoir known as Lake Elkhorn. Its main attractions include a park with a picnic pavilion, a two-mile walking track, and a modest dam. The man-made Lake has a 2,500-acre watershed and is located in the center of Columbia. The Lake, which averages eight feet deep and reaches a maximum depth of 15 feet, teems with trout every spring.
