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.

Contents [showhide]
1 History

2 Law and Government

3 Geography

4 Economy

5 Demographics

6 Important cities and towns

7 Education

7.1 Colleges and universities

8 Sports Teams

9 External links

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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.

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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; rather, there is the state government and then the government of the local municipalities.

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 congressional delegates.

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Geography
See: List of Connecticut counties

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 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.

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Economy
Connecticut is an important center of the insurance and financial industries. Many inhabitants 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.

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Demographics
As of the 2000 census, the population of Connecticut is 3,405,565. Its population grew 3.6% (118,449) from its 1990 levels. According to the 2000 census, 81.6% (2,760,355) identified themselves as White, 9.4% (320,323) as Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% (309,843) as black, 2.4% (82,313) as Asian, 0.3% (9,639) as American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.04% (1,366) as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 4.3% (147,201) as other, and 2.2% (74,848) identified themselves as belonging to two or more races.

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.

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Important cities and towns
Population > 100,000 (urbanized area)

Danbury
Bridgeport
Hartford
New Haven
Norwich
Stamford
Waterbury
Population > 10,000 (urbanized area)

Middletown
Storrs
Torrington
Willimantic
Important Suburbs

Greenwich
Manchester
New Britain
Norwalk
West Hartford
Westport

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Education
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Colleges and universities
Albertus Magnus College
Central Connecticut State University
Charter Oak State College
Connecticut College
Eastern Connecticut State University
Fairfield University
Holy Apostles College and Seminary
Mitchell College
Quinnipiac University
Rensselaer at Hartford
Sacred Heart University
Saint Joseph College
Southern Connecticut State University
Teikyo Post University
Trinity College
United States Coast Guard Academy
University of Bridgeport
University of Connecticut
University of Hartford
University of New Haven
Wesleyan University
Western Connecticut State University
Yale University

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Sports Teams
Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association
Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League
Minor league baseball teams:

Bridgeport Bluefish
Norwich Navigators
New Britain Rock Cats
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External links
State of Connecticut (http://www.ct.gov/) - official state website
CTBound.org (http://www.ctbound.org/) - official state tourism website
Connecticut Historical Society

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Connecticut".

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