A population of 6.5 million people, Massachusetts is still mostly urban and suburban in the east and primarily rural in the west. A small state with big personality, Massachusetts offers great beaches, outdoor fun, fresh-caught seafood, major-league sports and a wealth of cultural activities. Massachusetts' parks, mountains and rivers offer wide-open spaces and a chance to hike, bike, canoe, or rocket through whitewater rapids on a raft. Known as the “Bay State,” Massachusetts has several large bays that give the coastline its distinctive shape.
      Massachusetts has transformed itself from a mainly agricultural economy to a manufacturing one, making use of its many transportation depots. Its rivers fuel power to operate factories for shoes, furniture and clothing. Revitalization came in the 1970s when the Boston suburbs became home to dozens of high-tech companies. Massachusetts’ colleges, universities and technology continue to thrive, while considered to be a haven for progressive, liberal thought.

Did You Know...

State Nickname: The Bay State State Capital: Boston State Flower: Trailing Arbutus State Bird: Chickadee

      Known for having one of the best public school systems in the nation, Massachusetts was the first state to mandate a public education system. Home to the oldest high school and university, Massachusetts also has the oldest public library. The state boasts the lowest high-school dropout rates in the nation and is tied for having the 2nd highest percentage of students who go on to college after high school. It is also one of the highest scoring states on advanced placement tests.
      The regional offerings include several variations in activities and cultures. Hopping on a "T" trolley, you can experience the cosmopolitan flavor of Boston and its big

city amenities combined with a small-town atmosphere. Cross over the Charles River and you're in Cambridge, a vibrant mix of ethnic cultures, students, scholars and visitors from around the world. The city is home to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, the nation's oldest university.
     Massachusetts offers several housing options to its residents. From seaside homes to city condominiums, rural farm and historic homes to grassy suburban lots and wooded retreats, the choices are endless. Land lots, farms, gated communities, master-planned communities, vacation and investment properties are a small sampling of locations available. Additionally, within a half-day drive, bus or subway ride, several of New England’s major cities are accessible to the populace.
      The 30 miles of rocky coastline north of Boston are punctuated with long sandy beaches, rugged fishing ports and sparkling sailing harbors. Salem, home of the witch trials; Gloucester, a rugged fishing port; Salisbury, home of the namesake Beach State Reservation; and Essex, an antique lover’s dream, just to name a few, dot the area. Explore the Greater Merrimack Valley region and you'll encounter the sites and attractions that represent not one, but two revolutions, a century apart. Stroll down the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Bristol County’s, New Bedford. Nearby Fall River has a rich history, too, as a center of textile manufacturing. Plymouth Rock, an enduring symbol of the Pilgrim's arrival in the New World, punctuates "America's Hometown." The pilgrims' early days in the New World are vividly re-created at Plimoth Plantation.

      It doesn't take long to discover why Cape Cod is known as Massachusetts' year-round playground. You'll find miles of warm-water beaches, fresh-caught seafood, hiking and biking trails, challenging golf courses and weathered gable-roofed homes. Martha Vineyard boasts charm that you'll find hard to leave. New England's largest island has soft sandy beaches, pine forests, rolling hills and moors, and six delightful towns.
      Nantucket Island lies thirty miles off Cape Cod, preserving a quiet charm from the days of whaling ships. Residents explore on foot or by bicycle unspoiled beaches and solitary lighthouses, peaceful byways and lanes, historic mansions and open-air farmers' stands. In central Massachusetts, rolling hills and meadows, sophisticated cultural attractions, and the state's second largest city, Worcester, is the talk of the town. In Franklin County, north along the Connecticut River, lie rich farmland, magnificent scenery, old-time general stores, antique shops and cozy inns. Finally, the Berkshire boasts natural beauty, a culture-packed summer season, great skiing and sophisticated dining and lodging.