La Plata, Maryland
La Plata is a town located in Charles County, Maryland. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 6,551. It is the county seat of Charles County. Although the town's name appears to be derived from Spanish, it is pronounced IPA /ləˈpleɪɾə/
On April 28, 2002, an F4 tornado cut a 24-mile long swath through Charles County, with areas around La Plata damaged most severely. This tornado caused 4 deaths. La Plata had suffered a tornado 70 years prior that had a death toll of 17 people, 14 of them in a school called Milton Somers Junior High. Photos are available at http://photos.somd.com/showgallery.php/cat/4.
Geography
La Plata is located at 38°32'3" North, 76°58'24" West (38.534258, -76.973377).
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According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 18.0 km² (6.9 mi²). 18.0 km² (6.9 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.