Major Cities: Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, Stamford, Waterbury
Borders: Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Atlantic Ocean
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $229,317 million (2012 U.S. Department of Commerce)
Key Industries: Agriculture including eggs, lobster, dairy products, cattle, poultry, and nursery plants
Aircraft parts, helicopters, transportation equipment, military equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and electrical equipment.
How Connecticut got its name: The name Connecticut comes from the Native American Algonquian word quonehtacut, which means land of the long river.
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Connecticut State Symbols
State Nickname: Constitution State
State Slogan: Full of Surprises
State Motto: Qui transtulit sustinet (He who transplanted still sustains)
State flower: Mountain laurel
State bird: American Robin
State fish: American shad (state fish), Eastern Oyster (state shellfish)
State tree: White Oak
State mammal: Sperm whale
State foods: Nutmeg
Becoming a State
Date admitted: Wednesday, January 9, 1788
Number admitted: 5
Prior Name: Connecticut Colony, then sovereign state in Confederation
Postal Abbreviation: CT
The Geography of Connecticut
Total Size: 4,845 sq. miles (source: 2003 Census)
Geographical Low Point: Long Island Sound at Sea Level (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Geographical High Point: Mt. Frissell on south slope at State line at 2,380 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Litchfield (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Central Point: Located in Hartford County approx. at East Berlin (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Counties: 8 (source: National Association of Counties)
Bodies of Water: Atlantic Ocean, Long Island Sound, Connecticut River, Housatonic River, Farmington River, Candlewood Lake, Bantam Lake
Noah Webster - Lexicographer (writer of a dictionary)
Fun Facts
The state flag has three grape vines on it that stand for the original three settlements.
This state is home to the United States Coast Guard Academy.
Much of the US Constitution was taken from laws formed in early Connecticut by a document called The Fundamental Orders.
This state is the home to many inventions including the helicopter, sewing machine, vulcanized rubber (for tires), revolver, and the cotton gin.
Connecticut comes from a Mohegan word that means 'beside the long river'. The Connecticut River is actually quite long at 410 miles.
It is often called the Nutmeg State. The nutmeg looks like a nut, but is really a fruit seed and is often used as a spice.
The first hamburger was made in New Haven at Louis' Lunch Sandwich Shop in 1895. The first telephone book was also published in New Haven.
In 1901, the first law regarding automobiles was passed. It set the speed limit at 12 mile per hour. Don't drive too fast!
Stamford is home to the headquarters of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Not too far away is the headquarters of ESPN, the TV sports network, in Bristol.
