New England's longest river, the Connecticut, bisects the state. As it approaches the coast, the river's surrounding lowland is narrowed by ridges of hard traprock that form the Hanging Hills of West Rock Ridge. Other major rivers are the Thames and the Housatonic. The Thames drains the eastern upland; the Housatonic threads seaward from its origin in the eastern Berkshires. These streams and their tributaries furnished power and transportation for the state's industrial development. Of Connecticut's numerous reservoirs and lakes, the largest is Lake Candlewood in the Danbury Area. The combination of shrinking farmlands and state land preservation has created a paradox; two- thirds of one of the most densely urbanized states is open land.

Economy From the American Revolution, before which it was a predominantly agricultural state, until the mid-20th century, Connecticut was primarily an industrial state. The small-scale industries that existed in the 17th century to supply the needs of the early colonists first began to expand and prosper after the revolution. Subsequently, manufacturing expanded rapidly, aided by the abundance of water power, by the availability of raw materials from elsewhere in the country and from abroad, and by the remarkable ingenuity of numerous inventors and business people. By the late 1990s Connecticut also had developed a large services sector. A number of major corporations maintain headquarters in the state, many in Fairfield County, in the southwest. It is the financial sector, however, that contributes the most revenue to Connecticut's economy, driven in large part by a large insurance industry centered in Hartford. Today the leading industry in Connecticut is the manufacturing of industrial machinery, including: computers, office machines, ball and roller bearings, turbines, and engines. Other leading manufacturers include the makers of transportation equipment, particularly helicopters, aircraft engines, propellers, ship and submarines. The production of chemicals and related products, particularly pharmaceuticals and soaps are also important to Connecticut’s economy.

Recreation Scattered along Connecticut's long rocky coast are numerous sandy beaches just right for swimming. The indented shore of Long Island Sound and the wooded Litchfield Hills, both major vacation areas, attract outdoors enthusiasts, artists and sightseers. Boating and saltwater fishing are popular on Long Island Sound, where bluefish, striped bass and flounder can be caught; many shore towns rent fishing boats. Elsewhere, approximately 50 lakes and 200 miles of streams are stocked with trout, and some of the best fishing areas are in the western upland region. Connecticut offers many activities on land, as well. Golfing is offered at about 70 public courses. Hunting is done mainly on state forest and hunting lands or on private preserves that permit such usage for a fee. Deer, rabbits, squirrels, quails, grouse, pheasants and ducks predominate, with wild turkeys found in some areas. Skiing is available at resorts near Brooklyn in the eastern upland, at Mohawk Mountain State Park, near New Hartford, and Woodbury in the western upland, and near Southington and Meriden in the central region. Snowmobiling is permitted in several state forests in Litchfield Hills and in the northeastern and south-central parts of the state. In addition, nearly every town has some facility for skating, sledding or other winter activity. The extensive system of state parks and forests preserves a cross section of the state's natural features and offers recreation to please both the solitary hiker and the devotee of the crowded summer shore. Hiking, camping and nature study are available in the relatively undeveloped state forests. State park camping facilities usually operate mid-April through September 30th.

Nicknames "The Constitution State"

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Capitol Hartford

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Population 3,284,238 (estimated)

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Area 5,018 square miles

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Counties 8

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Towns 169

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Government Six officers elected for four-year term:
~ Governer
~ Lt. Governor
~ Secretary of State
~ Attorny General
~ Treasurer
~ Comptroller

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CT "Firsts"

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Sewing Machine
Portable Typewriter
Hamburger
Frisbee
Helicopter
Color Television
State Tree Charter Oak
State Bird American Robin
State Flower Mountian Laurel
State Insect Praying Mantis
Sate Gem Garnet