Enjoying the four seasons in the scenic New England countryside as well as 250 miles of coastline on Long Island Sound are a few of the most pleasant benefits of living in Connecticut. 
One of the original 13 colonies, and the fifth state in the union, Connecticut entered official statehood on January 9,1787. Although the first 13 states can be considered to have been members of the United States from the date of the Declaration of Independence – July 4, 1776 – or from the date on which they ratified the Articles of Confederation, they are presented as being "admitted" on the date each ratified the present United States Constitution.
Connecticut is known as the "Constitution State". While the origin of this official nickname is uncertain, it is presumed to refer to the Fundamental Orders of 1638–39. The Fundamental Orders represent the framework for the first formal government that was written by a representative body in Connecticut. Connecticut's original constitutions influenced the US Constitution, and one of the leading authors was Roger Sherman of New Haven. After the Fundamental Orders, Connecticut was granted governmental authority by King Charles II of England through the Connecticut Charter of 1662.
Also called the Nutmeg State, and "The Land of Steady Habits, Connecticut is the 4th most densely populated state. the 29th most populous state, (with 3.5 million residents), and is ranked 48th in size by area Despite Connecticut's relatively small size, it features wide regional variations in its landscape; for example, in the northwestern Litchfield Hills, it features rolling mountains and horse farms, whereas in the southeastern New London County, it features beaches and maritime activities.
EDUCATION:Connecticut ranks first nationally for writing assessment scores and fourth in the country for percentage of people who have completed a Bachelor's Degree. Just fewer than 35 percent of people living in Connecticut have obtained a Bachelor's Degree. Science assessments in Connecticut also rank very high, usually in the top 10 states. According to "U.S. News and World Report," almost 30 of the state's 193 high schools have been awarded a bronze, silver or gold award.
WEALTH: Connecticut has the most multi-million dollar homes in the Northeast, and the second most in the nation after California. New Canaan is the wealthiest town in Connecticut, followed by. Darien, Greenwich, Weston, Westport and Wilton, all in Fairfield County.
Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately bisects the state
The name of the state is an Anglicized version of the Algonquian Indian word (Quinnehtukqut) meaning “beside the long tidal river”. The Connecticut region was inhabited by the Mohegan tribe prior to European colonization There are a few reservations in the state that remain. and the two casinos in Connecticut are on Indian Land (Mohegan Sun and the Foxwoods Resort)
The state capital is Hartford, and other major cities (by population) include Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, Norwalk, Danbury, New Britain, Greenwich and Bristol. There are 169 incorporated towns in Connecticut.
Land area: 4,844 sq mi.
2010 resident population: 3,574,097
Residents: Connecticuter; Nutmegger
Number of counties: 8
Geographic center: In Hartford Co., at East Berlin
Largest county by population : Fairfield, 916,829 (2010);
Largest county by area: Litchfield, 920 sq mi.
State forests: 94 (170,000 acres)
State parks: 94 (32,960 acres)
Bear Mountain is the highest peak in Connecticut and is located in Salisbury (the northwest corner of the state).
Motto: Qui transtulit sustinet (He who transplanted still sustains
State symbols:
flower mountain laurel (1907)
tree white oak (1947)
bird American robin (1943)
hero Nathan Hale (1985)
song “Yankee Doodle” (1978)
ship USS Nautilus (1983)
