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Name = Connecticut |
Fullname = State of Connecticut |
Flag = Connecticut state flag.png |
Seal = Connecticut state seal.png |
Map = Map of USA highlighting Connecticut.png |
Nickname = The Constitution State |
Capital = Hartford |
LargestCity = Bridgeport |
Governor = M. Jodi Rell |
PostalAbbreviation = CT |
OfficialLang = None |
AreaRank = 48th |
TotalArea = 14,371 |
LandArea = 12,559 |
WaterArea = 1,809 |
PCWater = 12.6 |
PopRank = 29th |
2000Pop = 3,405,565 |
DensityRank = 4th |
2000Density = 271.40 |
AdmittanceOrder = 5th |
AdmittanceDate = January 9, 1788 |
TimeZone = Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
Longitude = 71°47'W to 73°44'W |
Latitude = 40°58'N to 42°3'N |
Width = 113 |
Length = 177 |
HighestElev = 725 |
MeanElev = 152 |
LowestElev = 0 |
ISOCode = US-CT |
Website = www.ct.gov
}}
Connecticut is a state of the United States, part of the New England region. Connecticut was one of the thirteen colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution.
USS Connecticut was named in honor of this state.
History
Main article: History of Connecticut
The name "Connecticut" comes from an Algonquin Indian word meaning "on the long tidal river". Connecticut was one of the original 13 states. The first Europeans to settle permanently in Connecticut were English Puritans from Massachusetts in 1633. Its first constitution, the "Fundamental Orders", was adopted on January 14, 1639, while its current constitution, the fourth for Connecticut, was adopted in 1965. The traditional abbreviation of the state's name is "Conn."
Law and Government
The capital of Connecticut is Hartford and has been the sole capital since 1875. Prior to that, New Haven and Hartford alternated as capital. Unlike most other states, Connecticut does not have county governments; rather, there is the state government and then the government of the local municipalities.
The current governor of Connecticut is M. Jodi Rell (Republican) and the two U.S. senators are Christopher J. Dodd (Democrat) and Joseph I. Lieberman (Democrat). Connecticut currently has five representatives in the House.
Geography
See: List of Connecticut counties
Connecticut is bordered on the south by Long Island Sound, on the west by New York State, on the north by Massachusetts, and on the east by Rhode Island. The state capital is Hartford, and the other major cities include New Haven, New London, Norwich, Stamford, Waterbury, and Bridgeport. In all, there are a total of 169 incorporated towns in Connecticut.
The Connecticut River cuts through the center of the state, flowing into Long Island Sound, Connecticut's outlet to the Atlantic Ocean. See: List of Connecticut rivers
Connecticut's rural areas and small towns contrast sharply with its industrial cities. Many towns center around a small park, known as a "green". Near the green may stand a small white church, a town meeting hall, a tavern and several colonial houses. Forests, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and a sandy shore add to the state's beauty.
The state, although small, has regional variations in its landscape and culture from the wealthy estates of Fairfield County's "Gold Coast" to the rolling mountains and farms of the Litchfield Hills and the casinos of Southeastern Connecticut. See: Regions of Connecticut.
Economy
Connecticut is an important center of the insurance and financial industries. Many inhabitants who live in the southernmost parts of the state are employed in New York City.
The agricultural output for the state is nursery stock, eggs, dairy products, cattle and tobacco. Its industrial outputs are transportation equipment (especially aircraft), machinery, electrical equipment, fabricated metal products, chemical products, and scientific instruments.
Demographics
As of the 2003, the population of Connecticut was 3,483,372. Its population has grown 6% from its 1990 levels.
Racially, Connecticut is:
77.5% White non-Hispanic
9.4% Hispanic
9.1% Black
2.4% Asian
0.3% American Indian
2.2% Mixed race
The five largest ancestries in the state are: Italian (18.6%), Irish (16.6%), English (10.3%), German (9.9%), Polish (8.3%).
6.6% of its population were reported as under 5, 24.7% under 18, and 13.8% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 51.6% of the population.
Religion
The religious affiliations of the people of Connecticut are:
Roman Catholic – 50%
Protestant – 34%
Other Christian – 1%
Other Religions – 3%
Non-Religious – 6%
The three largest Protestant denominations in Connecticut are: Baptist (5% of the total state population), Episcopalian (4%), Methodist (4%).
Important cities and towns
25 Richest Places in Connecticut
Ranked by per capita income
1 New Canaan, Connecticut $82,049
2 Darien, Connecticut $77,519
3 Weston, Connecticut $74,817
4 Greenwich, Connecticut $74,346
5 Westport, Connecticut $73,664
6 Deep River Center, Connecticut $72,261
7 Wilton, Connecticut $65,806
8 Fenwick, Connecticut $60,625
9 Roxbury, Connecticut $56,769
10 Georgetown, Connecticut $55,029
11 Easton, Connecticut $53,885
12 Essex Village, Connecticut $51,928
13 Ridgefield, Connecticut $51,795
14 Avon, Connecticut $51,706
15 Groton Long Point, Connecticut $51,066
16 Redding, Connecticut $50,687
17 Woodbridge, Connecticut $49,049
18 Sharon, Connecticut $45,418
19 Fairfield, Connecticut $43,670
20 Lyme, Connecticut $43,347
21 Essex, Connecticut $42,806
22 Bridgewater, Connecticut $42,505
23 Cornwall, Connecticut $42,484
24 Madison Center, Connecticut $42,046
25 Old Lyme, Connecticut $41,386
See complete list of Connecticut places
Education
Colleges and universities
Sports teams
Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association
Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League
Minor league baseball teams:
Bridgeport Bluefish
Norwich Navigators
New Britain Rock Cats
External links
Category:U.S. states
Category:Mayors of Connecticut
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