The state name of Connecticut was derived from the Algonquian term for “Long River Place” or “Beside the Long Tidal River.” Entering statehood as the 5th U.S. state on January 9, 1788, the state population has now reached over 3.4 million. The state capitol is Hartford.
      With a land area of 5,018 square miles, making it the second smallest and southernmost state of New England bordered by New York State on the west, Rhode Island on the east, Massachusetts on the north and Long Island Sound on the south. The Connecticut River roughly divides the state in half separating the region into flat coastal plain and central valley areas from the hilly, hardwood forest covered regions to the northwest.
      Most of the larger cities are located within the flat lands. The largest populated cities in the state include Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, Stamford and Waterbury. Within its condensed borders, Connecticut’s natural and artificial landscape includes forested hills, new urban skylines, shoreline beaches, white-steeple colonial churches and historic village greens. Connecticut is also home to classic Ivy-League schools, modern expressways, corporate offices and small farms making it a thriving hub for business, education and vacation.

Did You Know...

State Nickname: The Constitution State State Capital: Hartford State Flower: Mountain Laurel State Bird: American Robin

      The state economy is rather diversified with manufacturing as the dominant industry. Jet aircraft engines, helicopters and nuclear submarines are just some of the examples of transportation equipment produced within the state. Connecticut also leads in highly skilled and technical fields such as metalworking, electronics and plastics. These industries contribute to the standard of living within the state which has been judged to be the nation’s finest for more than 50 years.

For this reason, Connecticut has seen the influx of major corporate offices with companies such as Xerox, G.E., Uniroyal, G.T.E., Olin, Champion International and Union Carbide making their home here. Known as the “Insurance State,” the industry was founded here and there are now 106 insurance companies based in Connecticut.
     The tourism industry in Connecticut is a $4 billion-a-year business with much of it based on the attraction of its 250 mile Long Island Sound shoreline, its rolling Litchfield Hills, and the untainted Connecticut River Valley making Connecticut’s scenery some of New England’s finest.
      Colonial villages throughout the state are filled with historic homes and landmarks. Golf enthusiasts will find dozens of courses open to the public and outdoor activities such as boating, fishing and swimming can be explored everywhere. Among the more popular attractions are Mystic Seaport and Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, Lake Compounce, Bristol, Nautilus Memorial, Groton, Gillette Castle, Hadlyme, Balley Railroad, Essex, New–Gate Prison, East Granby, Branford Trolley Museum, East Haven, Connecticut river cruise ships and the homes of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Cultural attractions are also plentiful throughout the state, including theater, opera, ballet, concerts and numerous nationally ranked museums and art galleries.

The climate within the region is relatively mild. On average, there are only 12 days a year when the temperature rises above 90 degrees and about six days when it dips below zero. Temperatures in the northern hills may be as much as 10 degrees lower than those in the central valley year-round. The growing season is fairly long with the first sign of frost in mid-October and the last in mid-April. This, combined with moderate rainfall, provides good growing conditions. The most important crops include dairy, poultry, forest and nursery, tobacco, vegetables and fruit.
      Public transit throughout the state includes local and express busses, trains and bike pathways. Railroad transit includes Shore Line East Railway and the New Haven Line (Metro North.) Ferries are available as well. Bradley International Airport provides worldwide service in addition to regional and charter service airports.
      Connecticut has 55 private and public university and college campuses. Some of the more well-known include Yale University, The University of Bridgeport, The University of Connecticut and The University of Hartford.