- Vermont's present seal, made in 1937, is an exact copy of that created in 1779; other variations …
At its widest point, the small state of Vermont is less than 90 miles (145 kilometers) from east to west. Its cities, too, are small. Burlington, the largest city, had fewer than 40,000 residents in 2000. The annual tourist population is quite large, however. Many people visit Vermont to enjoy the beautiful scenery, to fish in the rivers and lakes, or to spend time on the ski slopes at Stowe, the Mad River Valley, and other resort areas. GeographyVermont, a New England state, is located in the northeast corner of the United States. It covers an area of 9,615 square miles (24,903 square kilometers). Vermont is bordered on the north by the Canadian province of Quebec and on the south by Massachusetts. To the west is New York, which is separated from Vermont for about 100 miles (160 kilometers) by Lake Champlain. The Connecticut River forms Vermont's border with New Hampshire on the east. Vermont's name comes from the French words for “green” and “mountain”—vert and mont. The Green Mountains run down the center of the state and cover most of the land. These heavily forested highlands are part of the Appalachian Mountains. They give Vermont its nickname—the Green Mountain State. Mount Mansfield, at 4,393 feet (1,339 meters), is the state's highest point. Most of Vermont's rivers drain into Lake Champlain. Some 400 natural lakes are located within the state. Vermont's climate tends to be cold. Winter temperatures can drop below -34° F (-37° C), but summer days are rarely hot. Snowfall can be very heavy, especially in the mountains. Plants and animalsMuch of Vermont is covered with forests. Pine, spruce, fir, maple, and birch trees are plentiful. The sugar maple is the state tree. Many different ferns and wildflowers grow along streams in the wooded areas. Vermont has a huge deer population, and bears are often seen. Small animals of all kinds live in the state. People and cultureThe first people to live in what is now Vermont were Abnaki Indians. The earliest European settlers were Protestants of English heritage. The state remains populated largely by offspring of the original settlers and of later immigrants from Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Canada, and other nations. Some residents of French Canadian heritage speak French at home. Vermont's minority groups are very small. African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and Native Americans together make up only about 3 percent of the population. CitiesMany of Vermont's people still live in small villages in rural areas. Burlington, a port on Lake Champlain, is the center of the state's most heavily populated region. About a quarter of the state's population lives in Chittenden County, which contains Burlington. Essex, the state's second-largest community, is also in this area. Montpelier is one of the least-populous state capitals in the United States. It is located on the Winooski River in the central part of the state. Recreation - A cross-country skier treks past Mount Mansfield, near Cambridge, Vermont.
Outdoor activities are very popular in Vermont. Lake Champlain features boating and water sports. Hikers are drawn to Long Trail, which follows the crest of the Green Mountains for more than 260 miles (418 kilometers). Both downhill and cross-country skiing are popular in winter. Many tourists visit the state in autumn to see the leaves that have changed color. EducationVermont has been strongly committed to public education since colonial times. Its constitution of 1777 called for a state-supported university to be created and for an elementary school to be built in each county. The University of Vermont, in Burlington, was founded in 1791. Notable private schools include Middlebury College, in Middlebury, and Bennington College, in Bennington. EconomyIndustryIndustry in Vermont has undergone major changes. Textile mills used to be very important in the state, but most of the firms have closed or moved to the South. Modern industries make electronic equipment, machine tools, aircraft engines and parts, metals, and food products. Wood products such as hockey sticks, furniture, and paper are important to Vermont's economy because of the state's many forests. Printing and publishing is also a major industry. The greatest portion of the state's earnings, however, comes from service industries such as health care, education, and tourism. MiningMining has been a part of Vermont's economy since the first marble quarry was opened in 1785. Vermont marble has been used to make many notable public buildings, including the United States Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. The city of Barre has some of the largest granite pits in the world. Vermont also produces sand, gravel, talc, gemstones, slate, and limestone. AgricultureBecause of the rocky land and thin soil, farming can be difficult in Vermont. Dairying has always been Vermont's main agricultural activity, and the state is a major producer of milk. Livestock raised in Vermont includes cattle, turkeys, sheep, chickens, and pigs. Hay is grown to feed the dairy herds. Other crops include potatoes, corn, and apples. Vermont is a national leader in the production of maple syrup and maple sugar. HistoryThe Abnaki Indians who originally lived in the Vermont region survived by hunting and fishing. The first European to visit the area was the French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1609. He discovered a lake there to which he gave his name. No permanent settlement was made until the French built a fort on Isle La Motte in Lake Champlain in 1666. Both the Dutch and the British established settlements in the area in the 18th century. StatehoodWhen the British won the French and Indian War in 1763, they took control of the territory that is now Vermont. Both New Hampshire and New York claimed parts of the territory. In 1770 Ethan Allen organized fighters known as the Green Mountain Boys to drive the New Yorkers from the region. During the American Revolution (1775–83) the settlers put aside their differences and fought the British. In 1777 Vermont declared itself independent of both New Hampshire and New York. Vermont remained independent until it joined the Union in 1791 as the 14th state. 19th centuryVermont's population grew quickly between 1790 and 1810. By the 1830s, however, many people were leaving the state for the expanding cities and better farmland to the south and west. Vermont remained loyal to the Union during the American Civil War (1861–65). It was the site of the only Civil War action north of Pennsylvania. In 1864 soldiers from the Confederacy raided the town of St. Albans and robbed its banks. Modern stateThe number of farms in Vermont began to decline after the Civil War and continued to drop in the 20th century. In the 1930s the first ski runs were built in the state. By the 1960s Vermont had a successful winter tourist industry. During this time many small manufacturing plants opened in the state as well. By the late 20th century services had become the most important part of Vermont's economy. Population (2000 census), 608,827. |