Chesapeake

Chesapeake is a geographic name used in the United States that primarily refers to Chesapeake Bay, an estuary that forms the tidal mouth of several rivers on the East Coast, and to the surrounding Chesapeake Bay region. The name is from an Algonquian language, meaning “great shellfish bay.”

Chesapeake Bay: The Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, located mainly in Maryland and Virginia. Its watershed covers about 64,000 square miles and drains into the Atlantic Ocean. It is fed by more than 100 rivers and streams, including the Susquehanna, Potomac, and James rivers. The Bay supports commercial and recreational fisheries, notably blue crabs, menhaden, and oysters, as well as tourism and maritime industries. Environmental concerns include nutrient pollution, sedimentation, habitat loss, and invasive species, leading to periodic dead zones. Restoration efforts since the 1980s, including the Chesapeake Bay Program and state and federal actions, aim to reduce pollution and restore habitat.

Chesapeake, Virginia: An independent city in southeastern Virginia, part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. It has a diversified economy including industry, government, and services, with significant land and water transport access and a rural–urban mix. The city was formed in the 1960s through consolidation of counties and towns and is known for its waterfronts and parks.

Other uses: The name also appears in transportation and regional branding, including historical and contemporary entities such as the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) and various local districts and institutions.