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Connecticut Facts

Connecticut Facts
The State of Connecticut is located in the northeastern United States. It shares state borders with Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York and Long Island. Connecticut is bisected by the Connecticut River, one of the major rivers in the U.S. It ranks 48th in size with only 5,543 square miles. It is the 29th most populated and ranks fourth in population density. The Dutch were the first settlers in Connecticut, establishing a small settlement where Hartford sits today. This settlement was short-lived, and then in the 1630s England established major settlements. Connecticut became one of the Thirteen Colonies revolting in the American Revolution against British rule. Connecticut was admitted to the Union in 1788, making it the 5th state.
Interesting Connecticut Facts:
Prior to European settlement, Connecticut's land was inhabited by native tribes.
Connecticut's nickname is The Constitution State. It has also been known as the Land of Steady Habits and the Nutmeg State.
Connecticut's Native American name is Quinnehtukqut, meaning beside the long tidal river.
Connecticut's state flower is the Mountain Laurel.
Its state tree is the Charter Oak.
Connecticut's state animal is the sperm whale; its state shellfish is the Eastern Oyster.
'Yankee Doodle' is Connecticut's state song.
Connecticut's state motto is Qui Transtulit Sustinet which means 'he who transplanted still sustains'.
Connecticut's capital city is Hartford and its largest city is Bridgeport.
The first telephone book was published in New Haven in 1878; it only had 50 names.
The first woman to receive a United States patent was Mary Kies of South Killingly in 1809.
The oldest newspaper in the United States still being published is The Hartford Courant. It has been published since 1764.
Connecticut has approximately 144 daily, weekly, monthly and Sunday newspapers published.
Connecticut was the first state to issue permanent license plates.
Stamford Connecticut is home to the headquarters of the WWF (World Wrestling Federation).
Connecticut's agriculture includes fruit, vegetables, tobacco, poultry, dairy, forest and nurseries.
The first woman-only golf tournament was held in 1917 in Waterbury.
The very first published dictionary's author Noah Webster was born in West Hartford.
One of the most favorite candies in North America, PEZ, is made in Orange, Connecticut.
Connecticut's highest peak is Bear Mountain.
In 1800 Connecticut was only about 10% forested. Today it is approximately 60% forested.
Connecticut's largest state park Pachaug State Forest is 29,292 acres.
Connecticut has all three rock types: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary.
In 1966, dinosaur tracks were found in Rocky Hill. Today this is home to Dinosaur State Park.
The first export to England after settlement was sassafras.
Connecticut has 332 miles of jagged coastline, and a total of 1,065 saltwater coastlines.
Connecticut has 48 universities. Some of these are Yale, Trinity College and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
There are approximately 4,200 farms in Connecticut.
Connecticut has approximately 3,568 ponds and lakes.
The state insect is the Praying Mantis.
Connecticut has 107 state parks and 32 state forests.
Connecticut is home to the third largest number of millionaires (per capita) in America. New Canaan is Connecticut's wealthiest town.


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