Often described as the "Sailing Capital of the World", Annapolis is a modern yachtsman's paradise. As it is situated where the Severn River opens into Chesapeake Bay, its boating-based culture and economy are all the more appropriate given that this city of 38,394 is home to the United States Naval Academy, an institution that has trained thousands of officers since it opened in 1845. The capital of the state of Maryland, Annapolis is also known for its influential social circles and lengthy history. Founded by Puritan exiles in 1649, Anne Arundel's Towne, as it was then known, was the site of several skirmishes between Cavalier and Parliamentary forces during the period of the English Civil War. After Maryland won independence following the Revolutionary War, Annapolis even served as the temporary capital of the United States from 1783 to 1784. The city's convenient location on the Chesapeake, however, is what has made it a favorite of individuals who work in the greater Baltimore-Washington DC area, however, as it enables them to cruise out to the Atlantic in less than a day's sail. Likewise, its strategic position is ideal for business figures and government officials who routinely visit either Baltimore or the nation's capital. Home to a longstanding theater community, Annapolis also offers a number of entertainment venues for yearlong residents.