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The Eastern Shore lies on the northwestern flank of the Delmarva Peninsula, a broad, coastal plain separating the
Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. During the last Ice Age, the Chesapeake Bay area was an ancient, wide valley of the Susquehanna River. The peninsula formed a crest between this valley and coast lands of
the Atlantic Ocean farther east. As rising temperatures melted the glaciers to the north, sea levels rose, and the valley was flooded, forming the bay. A deep channel running the length of the bay to the
mouth of the Susquehanna River marks the ancient river bed.
As a coastal plain, the soils of the peninsula range from prime, fertile soils to hydric soils which are heavy and wet.
Inland farmlands are distinguishable from the coastal lands surrounding the bay. The line between these area runs generally along Routes 213 and 50 from north to south. Lying east of these roads are
prime soils, which are excellent for agriculture. Lying to the west are hydric soils, which are less suited to agriculture than prime soils, but a living can be made from them. Large-scale, commercial
farms predominated on the eastern side, while gentleman farms and plantations occupied the western side. On both sides of the line, agriculture dominated land use for centuries. Tobacco, grains, fruits, corn,
and soybeans have been the main crops. Today, more than 50 percent of the land is under cultivation, contributing almost a third of Marylandâs agricultural production. The rest of the land is either
unusable as farmland, protected because of its ecological value, or developed for human use.
The environmental and climatic conditions of the Eastern Shore are particularly well suited for wildlife habitat.
The watershed of the Chester River is the prime wintering grounds for Canada geese on the Eastern Seaboard. A great many other species of waterfowl also migrate here annually. Land mammals of many
varieties occupy the hinterlands and peninsulas that abound across the region, including such endangered species as the Delmarva fox squirrel. To protect sensitive wildlife habitats, a few, large preserves
have been created. The largest are the Eastern Neck Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on Eastern Neck Island, the Millington WMA, the Idylwild WMA, and Tuckahoe State Park.
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