Vermont

• Population- 608,827
• Capital- Montpelier
• Largest cities– Burlington, Rutland, South Burlington
• Time zone- Eastern
• Date of Admission to the Union- March 4, 1791
• Slogan- “Vermont, naturally”
• State website URL- www.vermont.gov

Vermont is one of six New England states ( Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island) located in the northeastern United States. Known for its verdant mountains and fertile lowlands, Vermont is comprised of six geographical regions: Northeast Highlands, Western New England Upland, Green Mountains, Vermont Valley, Taconic Mountains, and Champlain Valley. Most notable of the above, the Green Mountains in central Vermont boasts the tallest mountains in the State of Vermont, to include Camel’s Hump (4,083 ft), pictured on the state commemorative quarter of 2001.

Lake Champlain, bordering the Champlain Valley near Burlington, is named for the French explorer Samuel de Champlain--the first European known to enter the region (1609). French settlers settled Fort Ste. Anne in 1666; England gained control of the area after the French and Indian War in 1724. In 1777 the state declared independence from British rule, adopted its first constitution, and abolished slavery.

Vermont proceeded to then become the 14th state admitted into the union on March 4, 1791. During the Civil War Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen led the Green Mountain Boys (a militia organized initially to drive New York settlers out of the region) in capturing Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Socially progressive from its earliest days, Vermont women became the first in the nation granted suffrage on December 18, 1880.

Agriculture long dominated Vermont economic activity until tourism gained in popularity in the last century. Supported by popular ski areas (Stowe, Killington, Mt. Snow), and abundant fishing and hunting, nearly 40 per cent of the state’s population is employed by the tourism industry. The once important textile industry of Burlington has diminished but manufacturing in the state remains strong. Ben & Jerry’s, home of the Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, and Chunky Monkey, had its humble beginnings in that same fair city of Burlington.