Cumberland is the seat of Allegany County in western Maryland's Appalachian panhandle, about 140 miles west of Baltimore and closer geographically and culturally to Pittsburgh than to the DC suburbs. The city played a pivotal role in American westward expansion as the terminus of the C&O Canal and the starting point of the National Road (now US 40). That history is preserved in attractions like the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, the C&O Canal National Historical Park, and the George Washington's Headquarters cabin. The Great Allegheny Passage — a 150-mile rail-trail connecting Cumberland to Pittsburgh — has become a major tourist draw and cycling destination. The local economy centers on healthcare (UPMC Western Maryland hospital), government, and a growing tourism sector. Rocky Gap State Park and its casino resort are nearby recreational anchors. The city's walkable downtown along Baltimore Street has seen modest revitalization with local restaurants, shops, and arts venues. Housing prices in Cumberland are exceptionally low by Maryland standards — median home prices run a fraction of what comparable homes cost in the Baltimore or DC suburbs. The trade-off is distance from major metro employment, though the rise of remote work has brought a small wave of newcomers who can afford mountain living on a metro salary. Interstate 68 connects Cumberland east to Hagerstown and the I-81 corridor and west into West Virginia.