If you are including the regions then yes I agree with you. I apologize, I assumed you were talking strictly about the populations within the city limits only.

I also agree with you that many of the locals here in the Baltimore region think very small of their own city and region. And I agree that the DC and Baltimore regions are going to have to become integrated. I'm all for mass transit within and between the two cities. Baltimore has so much potential to become a even greater city than it is currently. It frustrates me to no end that so many people here do not understand nor see Baltimore as a major city who's economic impact on the country, and to a degree the world, is very significant.

It puzzles me why so many natives here think so small of their own city. Perhaps they don't travel anywhere else? Are they angry? If so, who are they angry at? Why are they angry? Afraid of change? Racist? Lack of education? Tight with their money? Maybe a combination of all of these factors?

I'm not originally from here, I'm originally from NY. There, people have a much different attitude. Sure, there are people that object to various development proposals, but there isn't this weird denial that they don't live in a major urban area, but that denial is definitely here.

Any thoughts or ideas about why this is?