States and Territories
New Hampshire, the "Granite State"
Abbreviation: NH
One of the original 13 states (it entered the Union in 1788), New Hampshire was named after the English county of Hampshire. New Hampshire is called the "Granite State" because of its numerous granite quarries; the nickname may also reflect the state's attachment to tradition and its history of a frugal government. There are no general sales or individual income taxes, which fits with the state motto of "Live free or die". A relatively small state, New Hampshire plays a major role every four years in the presidential election, as it holds the first primary election. New Hampshire was first settled in 1623, just three years after the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts. New Hampshire's history is the story of the transformation of a wilderness to farmland and then to a thriving industrial society. Visitors to New Hampshire enjoy a great variety of recreational activities in six major vacation areas: the White Mountains region, the Lakes area, the Seacoast region, the Merrimack Valley area, the Monadnock region, and the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee area. The state offers rugged mountains, blue lakes, sandy beaches and quiet villages.
GOVERNMENT
Capital: Concord
Governor: Craig Benson, R (to Jan. 2007)
Senators: Judd Gregg, R (to Jan. 2011); John Sununu, R (to Jan. 2009)
House of Representatives: 2 districts | Search by zip code
STATISTICS
Population (April 2000): 1,235,786; National Rank: 41; Percent change since 1990: 11.4%; State Rank based on Percent Change: 22
Land Area: 8,969 sq mi. (23,231 sq km); National Rank: 46
10 largest cities (2000): Manchester, 107,006; Nashua, 86,605; Concord, 40,687; Derry town, 34,021; Rochester, 28,461; Salem town, 28,112; Dover, 26,884; Merrimack town, 25,119; Londonderry town, 23,236; Hudson town, 22,928
ECONOMY
Total Gross State Product 2001 (millions of dollars): 47,183; National rank: 39; Percent change since 1990: 49%; National Rank based on Growth Rate: 10 (Including Washington, DC)
Per Capita Personal Income 2001: $33,969; National Rank: 6 (112% of the national average)
State Exports 2002 (millions of dollars): 1,863; National Rank: 42
Agriculture: Dairy products, nursery stock, cattle, apples, eggs.
Industry: Machinery, electric equipment, rubber and plastic products, tourism.
Government
- Official State Homepage
- Project VoteSmart
- State and Local Government on the Internet
- Vital Records Information
Statistics
- New Hampshire Profile - Fedstats
- Census 2000 Data for the State of New Hampshire
- Census State Data Centers: New Hampshire