Greenbelt, Maryland is a city located in Prince George’s County. It is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area and sits just 15 miles northeast of downtown Washington D.C. The city has a population of 23,000 people and covers an area of just 6.14 square miles. Greenbelt has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters with snowfall that averages around 20 inches per year.
The geography of Greenbelt is primarily composed of low-lying hills and valleys that give the city its unique character. The highest point in Greenbelt is located at the intersection of Cherrywood Drive and University Boulevard, where it reaches an elevation of 97 feet above sea level. There are also several parks throughout the city which provide green spaces for residents to enjoy outdoor activities such as walking trails, playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas.
Greenbelt’s natural environment consists mainly of wetlands and woodlands which provide habitats for various wildlife species such as deer, foxes, turtles, frogs, snakes, and birds like owls or hawks. There are also two major bodies of water within the city limits; Lake Artemesia which is a man-made lake located in the center of town and Northwest Branch Anacostia River which runs along the northern border between Greenbelt and New Carrollton.
The terrain surrounding Greenbelt consists mostly of farmland with some residential neighborhoods scattered throughout including Old Greenbelt Historic District which was developed by Roosevelt’s Resettlement Administration in 1935 as part of his New Deal program to help low-income families during the Great Depression era.
Greenbelt provides its residents with a unique combination of natural beauty and urban amenities making it an ideal place to live work or visit for those who want to experience all that Maryland has to offer.
History of Greenbelt, Maryland
Greenbelt, Maryland has a long and varied history that dates back to the early 1800s when it was first established as a rural farming community. It remained largely unchanged until the 1930s when President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program provided federal funding for the development of Greenbelt as part of his Resettlement Administration. This program was designed to help low-income families during the Great Depression era and led to the construction of 1,600 homes in the area, now known as Old Greenbelt Historic District.
In the late 1940s, Greenbelt became home to a large US Army base known as Camp Springs which served as an important training facility for troops during World War II and into the Cold War era. The camp closed in 1964 and much of its land was sold off for commercial and residential development, transforming Greenbelt from a mostly rural area into a suburban city.
The 1970s saw rapid growth in population due to an influx of immigrants from Vietnam and other parts of Asia who were attracted to Greenbelt’s affordable housing prices and convenient location near Washington D.C., Baltimore, and other major cities in Maryland. This influx helped diversify the city’s population while also providing new businesses opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Today, Greenbelt is home to a diverse community of 23,000 people who enjoy all the amenities that come with living in a modern city such as parks, shopping centers, restaurants, entertainment venues, libraries, schools and more. Although it has changed drastically over time, many of its original features remain intact including its iconic art deco-style architecture which gives it a unique charm that can’t be found anywhere else.
Economy of Greenbelt, Maryland
According to iamaccepted, Greenbelt, Maryland is a thriving city with a diverse economy that has been steadily growing over the past few decades. The city’s proximity to Washington D.C., Baltimore, and other major cities in Maryland has helped make it an attractive destination for businesses and entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on the area’s educated workforce and convenient location.
The largest industry in Greenbelt is government contracting, which has become an increasingly important part of the local economy since the opening of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in 1959. This center employs thousands of people across multiple industries including aerospace, engineering, information technology, and more. Other major employers in Greenbelt include Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Maryland University College, and various federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
In addition to government contracting, Greenbelt also boasts a strong retail sector with several large shopping centers throughout the city that offer a variety of stores from big-box retailers to local boutiques. The city is also home to numerous restaurants ranging from fast-food chains to high-end dining establishments. Additionally, there are plenty of entertainment venues such as movie theaters and bowling alleys for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.
The local economy also benefits from tourism due to its close proximity to Washington D.C., Baltimore, Annapolis, and other popular destinations in Maryland. Visitors often come for business or pleasure but end up spending money at Greenbelt’s many hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions while they are here which helps boost the city’s economy even further.
Greenbelt is a vibrant community with a diversified economy that continues to grow year after year thanks to its convenient location near major cities in Maryland as well as its strong presence in government contracting and retail sectors.
Politics in Greenbelt, Maryland
Greenbelt, Maryland is a city located in Prince George’s County and is considered to be one of the most politically active cities in the state. The city was founded in 1937 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program and has since become a center for progressive politics and activism. Since its founding, Greenbelt has been governed by a mayor-council form of government with an elected mayor and five council members who serve four-year terms.
The city’s politics are largely progressive and Democratic, with the majority of voters consistently voting for Democratic candidates on the national level as well as in local elections. In fact, Greenbelt was one of the first cities in Maryland to pass marriage equality legislation back in 2012. The city also consistently advocates for environmental protection measures such as reducing emissions from cars, encouraging green energy initiatives, and promoting sustainable development projects.
Greenbelt residents are very engaged with local politics and issues that affect their community. Local activists often organize events such as marches or rallies to bring attention to social justice causes or environmental issues that affect the area. The city also hosts annual events such as Earth Day celebrations or Community Day celebrations that bring together residents from all over Greenbelt to celebrate their shared values and beliefs about how best to protect their environment while still ensuring economic growth and prosperity for all citizens.
In addition to being politically active on a local level, Greenbelt is also home to several organizations that are focused on providing resources and support for those living within its borders. For example, there is the Greenbelt Community Foundation which provides grants for various programs throughout the city such as after school programs or summer camps for kids; an organization called “Greening Greenbelt” which works towards improving public spaces; and many other non-profit organizations dedicated to improving quality of life in Greenbelt through various initiatives like job training programs or educational opportunities for adults or children alike.
Politics in Greenbelt are highly progressive with an emphasis on protecting the environment while still providing economic opportunities for its citizens. Residents are very engaged with local issues and strive to make their community a better place through advocacy, activism, education, and support from various organizations within the city limits.