Baltimore is located in north-central Maryland, United States, situated on the Patapsco River where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay. It lies about 40 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. Baltimore is an independent city, not part of any county, and is the largest city in Maryland and a major economic and cultural hub in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. The city covers about 92 square miles, including land and water areas, and is known as "Charm City" with notable attractions such as the Inner Harbor and the National Aquarium.