New Hampshire

Capital: Concord State abbreviation/Postal code: N.H./NH Governor: John Lynch, D (to Jan. 2009) Senators: Judd Gregg, R (to Jan. 2011); John E. Sununu, R (to Jan. 2009) U.S. Representatives: 2 Historical biographies of Congressional members Treasurer: Michael Ablowich, R (to Dec. 2008) Secy. of State: William M. Gardner, D (to Dec. 2008) Atty. General: Kelly Ayotte, R (to March 2009) Entered Union (rank): June 21, 1788 (9) Present constitution adopted: 1784 Motto: Live free or die State symbols: flower purple lilac (1919) tree white birch (1947) animal white-tailed deer (1983) insect ladybug (1977) saltwater fish striped bass (1994) freshwater fish brook trout (1995) amphibian spotted newt (1985) butterfly karner blue (1992) bird purple finch (1957) songs “Old New Hampshire” (1949) and “New Hampshire, My New Hampshire” (1963) Nickname: Granite State Origin of name: From the English county of Hampshire 10 largest cities (2005 est.): Manchester, 109,691; Nashua, 87,321; Concord, 42,336; Rochester, 30,004; Dover, 28,486; Keene, 22,778; Portsmouth, 20,674; Laconia, 17,060; Claremont, 13, 388; Lebanon, 12,606 Land area: 8,968 sq mi. (23,227 sq km) Geographic center: In Belknap Co., 3 mi. E of Ashland Number of counties: 10 Largest county by population and area: Hillsborough, 401,291 (2005); Coos, 1,801 sq mi. State parks: 72 Residents: New Hampshirite 2005 resident population est.: 1,309,940 2000 resident census population (rank): 1,235,786 (41). Male: 607,687 (49.2%); Female: 628,099 (50.8%). White: 1,186,851 (96.0%); Black: 9,035 (0.7%); American Indian: 2,964 (0.2%); Asian: 15,931 (1.3%); Other race: 7,420 (0.6%); Two or more races: 13,214 (1.1%); Hispanic/Latino: 20,489 (1.7%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 75.0; 65 and over: 12.0; median age: 37.1. See additional census data Area codes Tourism office

Map of New Hampshire

Under an English land grant, Capt. John Smith sent settlers to establish a fishing colony at the mouth of the Piscataqua River, near present-day Rye and Dover, in 1623. Capt. John Mason, who participated in the founding of Portsmouth in 1630, gave New Hampshire its name.

After a 38-year period of union with Massachusetts, New Hampshire was made a separate royal colony in 1679. As leaders in the revolutionary cause, New Hampshire delegates received the honor of being the first to vote for the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. New Hampshire gained a measure of international attention in 1905 when Portsmouth Naval Base played host to the signing of the treaty ending the Russo-Japanese War, known as the Treaty of Portsmouth.

Abundant water power turned New Hampshire into an industrial state early on, and manufacturing is the principal source of income. The most important industrial products are electrical and other machinery, textiles, pulp and paper products, and stone and clay products. Dairy and poultry, and growing fruit, truck vegetables, corn, potatoes, and hay are the major agricultural pursuits.

Because of New Hampshire's scenic and recreational resources, tourism now brings over $3.5 billion into the state annually.

Vacation attractions include Lake Winnipesaukee, largest of 1,300 lakes and ponds; the 724,000-acre White Mountain National Forest; Daniel Webster's birthplace near Franklin; and Strawbery Banke, restored buildings of the original settlement at Portsmouth. In 2003, the famous “Old Man of the Mountain” granite head profile, the state's official emblem, fell from its perch in Franconia.

See more on New Hampshire:
Encyclopedia: New Hampshire
Encyclopedia: Geography
Encyclopedia: Economy
Encyclopedia: Government
Encyclopedia: History
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Selected famous natives and residents:

• Sherman Adams former governor and presidential advisor;

• Salmon P. Chase jurist;

• Charles Anderson Dana editor;

• Mary Baker Eddy founder of the Christian Science Church;

• Dustin Farnum actor;

• Thomas Green Fessenden journalist and satirical poet;

• Daniel Chester French sculptor;

• Robert Frost poet;

• Horace Greeley journalist and politician;

• Sarah J. Hale editor;

• John Irving writer;

• Benjamin F. Keith theater entrepreneur;

• Jackson Hall Kelly promoter of Oregon settlement;

• John Langdon political leader;

• Sharon Christa McAuliffe teacher and astronaut;

• Franklin Pierce former president;

• Augustus Saint-Gaudens sculptor;

• Alan Shepard astronaut;

• Harlan F. Stone jurist;

• Daniel Webster statesman;

• Henry Wilson politician and former vice president;

• Noah Worcester clergyman and pacifist.

Fact Monster/Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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