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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 or county seats;
rather, there is the state government and then the government of the local municipalities. The state judicial system and the
associated state marshal system, however, are still divided by county. There are 169 incorporated cities and towns across the
state. Most cities are coterminal with their namesake towns and have a merged city-town government. The sole exception is the
City of Groton, which is a subsection of
the Town of Groton. There are also 9
incorporated boroughs, eight of which provide additional services to a section of town. One, Naugatuck, is a merged town-borough.
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
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 geography of Connecticut is divided into eight counties. See: List of Connecticut counties
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 southwestern quarter of the state are
employed in New York City.
The total gross state product for 1999 was $151 billion, placing Connecticut 22nd in the nation. The Per Capita
Income for 2002 was $42,706 giving Connecticut the highest Per Capita Income of the nation. [1] (http://www.bea.doc.gov/bea/regional/statelocal.htm)
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:
The five largest ancestries in the state are: Italian (18.6%),
Irish (16.6%), English (10.3%), German (9.9%), African American (9.1%).
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
48.4% is male, and 51.6% is female.
The religious affiliations of the people of Connecticut are:
- Roman Catholic – 50%
- Protestant – 34%
- Other Christian – 1%
- Other Religions – 3%
- Non-Religious – 6%
There is a significant Jewish population in the state, mostly concentrated in the
"Gold Coast" towns between Greenwich and New Haven and in the Hartford area. The Hartford suburb of West Hartford in particular has a
significant Jewish community.
The three largest Protestant denominations in Connecticut are: Baptist (5% of the
total state population), Episcopalian (4%), Methodist (4%).
Important cities and towns
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Population > 100,000 (urbanized area)
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Population > 10,000 (urbanized area)
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Important Suburbs
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25 richest places in Connecticut
Ranked by per capita income:
- New Canaan, Connecticut $82,049
- Darien, Connecticut $77,519
- Weston, Connecticut $74,817
- Greenwich, Connecticut $74,346
- Westport, Connecticut $73,664
- Deep River Center, Connecticut
$72,261
- Wilton, Connecticut $65,806
- Fenwick, Connecticut $60,625
- Roxbury, Connecticut $56,769
- Georgetown, Connecticut $55,029
- Easton, Connecticut $53,885
- Essex Village, Connecticut $51,928
- Ridgefield, Connecticut $51,795
- Avon, Connecticut $51,706
- Groton Long Point, Connecticut
$51,066
- Redding, Connecticut $50,687
- Woodbridge, Connecticut $49,049
- Sharon, Connecticut $45,418
- Fairfield, Connecticut $43,670
- Lyme, Connecticut $43,347
- Essex, Connecticut $42,806
- Bridgewater, Connecticut $42,505
- Cornwall, Connecticut $42,484
- Madison Center, Connecticut
$42,046
- Old Lyme, Connecticut $41,386
- See complete list of Connecticut
places
Education
Colleges and universities
Sports teams
Minor league baseball teams:
External links
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