Vermont | history - geography - state, United States | Britannica.com state, United States Alternative Title: Green Mountain State Vermont (2010) 625,741; (2015 est.) 626,042 Total area (sq mi) Seats in U.S. House of Representatives 1 of (435) Eastern (GMT − 5 hours) 1Excluding military abroad. Vermont, constituent state of the United States of America . One of the six New England states lying in the northeastern corner of the country, it was admitted to the union on March 4, 1791, as the 14th state. It is sparsely populated, and its capital, Montpelier , is one of the least-populous U.S. state capitals. Vermont is bordered to the north by Quebec , Can., to the east by New Hampshire , to the south by Massachusetts , and to the west by New York . From the Canadian to the Massachusetts border, the Connecticut River separates Vermont from New Hampshire. The river, from the mean low-water line on the western bank, is entirely within New Hampshire’s borders.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Strafford, eastern Vermont. Glen Allison—Stone/Getty Images In many ways Vermont is a vigorous survivor of an earlier, simpler time in the United States. Millions of people visit the state each year, and many thousands of out-of-state residents maintain second homes in Vermont. These people primarily seek the beauty and tranquility of Vermont’s mountains and narrow valleys and the sense of the country’s past that pervades the entire state. The steeples of white wooden churches rising above mountain-bound small towns with trim village greens, the herds of dairy cattle on sloping mountain pastures, and the red-gold leaves of tree-lined autumnal lanes are aspects of scenic Vermont that, in painting and photography, have become symbols of the rural United States. Many people left their birthplaces in Vermont to pursue opportunities in the opening West or in urban centres of the Northeast. In turn, many creative personalities have sought the spiritual refuge offered by the state. Vermont has never stood in the mainstream of the country’s history, but its people and land have poured into their country a strength and a sense of continuity that joins the achievements of the nation’s past with the purposes of its present.

Area 9,616 square miles (24,906 square km). Population (2010) 625,741; (2015 est.) 626,042. Land Caledonia Snowfall in Vermont usually averages between 70 and 80 inches (1,800 and 2,000 mm) in the valleys and up to 110 inches (2,800 mm) in the mountains. Total annual precipitation varies from 34 inches (870 mm) in the eastern and western sections to more than 40 inches (1,025 mm) in the mountains. Winter temperatures can drop to −34 °F (−37 °C) and lower, and summer temperatures rarely rise above 90 °F (32 °C). Pleasant summer days often turn cool after nightfall. The annual growing season is only about 120 days—somewhat longer in the low-lying Champlain valley—because frost usually comes in September and may strike as late as the beginning of June.

The short growing season and rocky soil make dairying the dominant form of commercial farming. Early autumn snow on a Vermont farm. Jeremy Woodhouse/Getty Images Plant and animal life At one time many of Vermont’s hilltops were cleared for pastures and open fields. As farmers abandoned the hillsides, the open spaces quickly refilled with trees. Pine, spruce, fir, and hemlock are common; maple and birch are among the deciduous species. The state tree is the sugar maple, which reflects Vermont’s prominence in maple sugar and syrup production. The wooded areas, with their small brooks and springs, produce a great variety of ferns and wildflowers; in the spring and summer they are filled with the many species of birds common to the Northeast. Environmental factors such as acid rain have affected trees in the higher elevations. Concerns about excessive logging have led to state restrictions on clear-cutting. Vermont has a huge deer population, and deer hunting is an autumn ritual. Bears are often seen, but wild members of the cat family are rare. There is a growing moose population and (since 1993) an annual moose-hunting season. Small animals abound in Vermont.

Fishing in the lakes and streams, including ice fishing in winter, is popular. People Saint Albans Raid Most Vermonters live in valley cities and towns. Burlington , in the Champlain valley, is Vermont’s largest community , followed by Essex , near Burlington; Rutland, in the Otter valley; Colchester, just north of Burlington; and South Burlington. The Burlington–South Burlington metropolitan area contains about one-third of the state’s population. The Green Mountains were long a barrier between eastern and western Vermont, and judgeships and political candidates often were chosen to balance an eastern and western sectionalism. Although regional division is now a minor factor, some observers detect it emerging between southern and northern Vermont, presumably a reflection of the influx of newcomers and resort developments in the south. Others sense a dichotomy involving small towns and large towns, which revolves around such public issues as state constitutional reforms, welfare aid, and educational innovations . Three isolated northeastern counties have been known since 1949 as the “Northeast Kingdom,” a name bestowed by former governor and U.S. senator George Aiken in recognition of the area’s natural beauty.

Pragmatically, however, the major sense of regionalism is derived from large towns, which form a centre for surrounding rural areas. Stowe, Vt., with leaves beginning to change in autumn. Visions of America/SuperStock Demographic trends With the end of the American Revolution and Vermont’s acceptance into the union, the area experienced a tremendous population surge, primarily fueled by settlers from southern New England. From 1790 to 1810 Vermont’s population grew by 150 percent, increasing by nearly 133,000 in 20 years. The renewed threat of invasion during the War of 1812 , several years of harsh weather marked by the notable year of 1816—known as “Eighteen Hundred and Froze to Death” and also called the “Year Without a Summer”—and the eventual opening of more fertile western lands slowed Vermont’s population growth substantially. Between 1810 and 1950 Vermont’s population increased by only some 160,000. Much of this population stagnation was attributed to the emigration of Vermonters who sought greater economic opportunities elsewhere. This trend continued into the mid-20th century.

The building of the Interstate Highway System during the 1950s and ’60s, the growth of tourism and recreation in Vermont, which also spurred the construction of second homes there, and greater local economic opportunities, highlighted by the construction of an International Business Machines (IBM) plant, ended the century-long population stagnation. From 1960 to 2000 Vermont’s population grew by nearly 220,000. While emigration of young Vermonters has slowed, the influx of newcomers is outstripping the growth of the native-born population. In 1960 more than three-fourths of Vermonters were native-born; by 2000 this proportion had dropped to about three-fifths. This decrease, coupled with perceived differences in the social expectations of nonnatives over the range and costs of government services, has led to some tension between native Vermonters and newer arrivals. Growth has been uneven. Chittenden county, which contains the city of Burlington, is secure in its position as Vermont’s population centre.

Population increases have contributed to the expansion of suburbs outside traditional town centres, which has been accompanied by the loss of farmland and open space and, in ski-area towns, development on mountaintops and at higher elevations. Such demographic changes have had wide impacts on Vermont. Politically, Chittenden county controls one-fourth of the seats in the General Assembly (the lower house of Vermont’s legislature), weakening the voice of the more rural counties. Development around ski areas raised environmental concerns and led to increasing environmental legislation beginning with the passage of regional planning in 1970. Loss of farmland to development, including the advent of large retail stores, as well as the changing face of the Vermont landscape, has raised concerns about urban sprawl and long-term effects on downtown economies, tourism, and agriculture. In 1993 the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed Vermont’s traditional agricultural and town centre landscape as endangered by urban sprawl, the first time the trust had listed an entire state as being at risk. In 2004 the trust named the state one of its 11 most endangered places. How to manage growth to preserve those attributes that make Vermont unique while encouraging economic development has become a key public policy issue.

Economy Vermont’s economy relies heavily on the service sector; its collective activities long have been the most important in terms of overall value and employment. Vermont has a low unemployment rate as compared with other states, although pockets of high employment still exist. Wages in the state are somewhat lower than the national average. Agriculture The nature of farming has changed in Vermont. Although it has been surpassed by manufacturing and tourism as an economic force, farming still remains important. The number of farms declined by about one-third between 1950 and 2000, and employment in farming and its related industries has dropped to only a tiny fraction of the state’s workforce. Less than half of the farms are dairy farms, the traditional mainstay of Vermont agriculture, but more than three-fourths of the state’s farm income comes from dairy products. Tapping maple trees for syrup in Vermont. Bob Holland/Shostal Associates A move toward large-scale farms—encompassing most agricultural sectors from dairying to egg production—has raised some concerns about their effects on the environment and the decline of the family farm. Vermont is first in milk production in New England and leads the United States in the production of maple syrup .

Specialty and gourmet foods have also become an important niche in Vermont agriculture. Vermont farming, because it has shaped the state’s landscape, also is important to tourism. Manufacturing Vermont’s hundreds of manufacturing plants reflect national industrial trends. The number of machine-tool plants in Springfield tends to expand and contract along with the national economy. The St. Albans area, in Franklin county, suffered from the decline of the railroad industry. Textile mills were once major employers in many cities, such as Winooski, but many of these have closed or moved to the South. Some computer industries have moved into Vermont. Other Vermont firms have become subsidiaries of national firms. The state’s Agency of Commerce and Community Development searches constantly for new industry, while an industrial park authority offers guidelines for establishing manufacturing facilities. Workers on break outside Green City Mill, Burlington, Vt., early 20th century. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Many Vermont industries are small companies that provide specialized products. Wood and paper products are natural for a state so heavily timbered, and about one-third of Vermont’s manufacturing plants make bowls, hockey sticks, furniture, and paper of different kinds. Printing is among the major industries.

Mining Extractive industries contribute significantly to Vermont’s economy. Quarries in Barre are among the largest granite pits in the world, and marble from Proctor is used for constructing commercial and public buildings—such as the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington , D.C. , and the United Nations headquarters in New York City. Slate quarries operate along the Vermont–New York border. Tourism Tourism is the second largest component of the state’s economy. Vacation resorts, motels and hotels, and related services employ thousands of Vermonters to serve the many tourists who visit the state each year. Skiing facilities at Stowe, Dover, Sherburne, and the Mad River valley are among the many Vermont winter resorts that attract people from throughout the Northeast. During the summer, visitors hike mountain trails, search through antique shops, study exhibits in the many museums, attend musical and dramatic performances, or bicycle or drive through the state and take photographs. Thousands of “leaf-peeping” tourists fill Vermont’s roads in autumn as they look at the dramatic changing colours of the trees. The Tourism and Marketing Division of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development is active in promoting tourism, and its Vermont Life magazine depicts the state’s scenic resources.

Skiing, Jay Peak, Jay, Vt. Dennis Curran/Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing Transportation Vermont has limited Amtrak passenger rail service. Airline service is limited in southern and central Vermont, but the airport at Burlington provides links to cities in the Northeast and Midwest. The major road arteries are north-south routes in the Connecticut River valley and the lowland valley south of Lake Champlain. Interstate highways link Vermont with Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Quebec province. Elsewhere, roads are often winding, narrow, and hilly, following the contours of the land. None of these factors is conducive to industrial expansion, and transportation remains a major problem. Government and society Constitutional framework On July 8, 1777, Vermont adopted a constitution that was the first in the United States to prohibit slavery and to eliminate property qualifications for voting or holding office. It was revised in 1786, and in 1793 the present constitution was adopted. Amendments may be considered only once every four years. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Vermont Map and Information View Larger Map Vermont is a state in the New England region of the United States, located in the northeastern part of the country. The state ranks 45th by total area, and 43rd by land area at 9,250 square miles, and has a population of 608,827, making it the second least populous state (behind Wyoming). The only New England state with no coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, Vermont is notable for the Green Mountains in the west and Lake Champlain in the northwest. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, New York to the west, and the Canadian province of Quebec to the north. Originally inhabited by Native American tribes (Abenaki, Algonquian, and Iroquois), the territory that is now Vermont was claimed by France but became a British possession after France's defeat in the French and Indian War. For many years, rightful control of the area was disputed by the surrounding colonies. Settlers who held land titles granted by the Province of New Hampshire, through their Green Mountain Boys militia eventually prevailed.

Vermont became the 14th state to join the United States, following a 14-year period during and after the Revolutionary War as the independent Republic of Vermont. Vermont is one of only five U.S. states or parts of states to have once been an independent nation, the other four being California, Hawaii, Texas, and the Florida Parishes of Louisiana. The state is famous for its scenery and dairy products. It is the leading producer of maple syrup in the United States. Vermont has a long history of independent political thinking (see Ethan Allen, Matthew Lyon, George Aiken, Jim Jeffords and Bernie Sanders). The state capital is Montpelier, and the largest city is Burlington. Vermont is located in the New England region in the eastern United States and comprises 9,614 square miles (24,902 km²), making it the 45th largest state. Of this, land comprises 9,250 square miles (23,955 km²) and water comprises 365 square miles (948 km²), making it the 43rd largest in land area and the 47th in water area.

The west bank of the Connecticut River marks the eastern border of the state with New Hampshire (the river itself is part of New Hampshire). Lake Champlain, the major lake in Vermont, is the sixth-largest body of fresh water in the United States and separates Vermont from New York in the northwest portion of the state. From north to south, Vermont is 159 miles (256 km). Its greatest width, from east to west, is 89 miles (143 km) at the Canadian border; the narrowest width is 37 miles (60 km) at the Massachusetts line. The state's geographic center is Washington, three miles (5 km) east of Roxbury. There are six distinct physiographic regions of Vermont. Categorized by geological and physical attributes, they are the Northeastern Highlands, the Green Mountains, the Taconic Mountains, the Champlain Lowlands, the Valley of Vermont and the Vermont Piedmont. The origin of the name Green Mountains (French: Verts monts) is uncertain. Some authorities say that they are so named because they have much more forestation than the higher White Mountains of New Hampshire and Adirondacks of New York.

Other authorities say that they are so named because of the predominance of mica-quartz-chlorite schist, a green-hued metamorphosed shale. The range forms a north-south spine running most of the length of the state, slightly west of its center. In the southwest portion of the state are the Taconic Mountains; the Granitic Mountains are in the northeast. In the northwest near Lake Champlain is the fertile Champlain Valley. In the south of the valley is Lake Bomoseen. Vermont has 14 counties. Four border Quebec in Canada to the north, and two border Massachusetts in the south. In the west is New York and in the east is New Hampshire, each bordered by five counties. Only two of Vermont's counties—Lamoille and Washington—are entirely surrounded by Vermont territory. Vermont has 14 counties. Four border Quebec in Canada to the north, and two border Massachusetts in the south. In the west is New York and in the east is New Hampshire, each bordered by five counties. Only two of Vermont's counties—Lamoille and Washington—are entirely surrounded by Vermont territory.

Several mountains have timberlines: Mount Mansfield, the highest mountain in the state, as well as Killington are examples. About 77 percent of the state is covered by forest; the rest is covered in meadow, uplands, lakes, ponds and swampy wetlands. Areas in Vermont administered by the National Park Service include the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Woodstock Vermont has a humid continental climate (Koppen climate classification Dfb), with warm, humid summers and cold winters, which become colder at higher elevations. Vermont is known for its mud season in spring followed by a generally mild summer and a colorful autumn, and particularly for its cold winters. The northern part of the state, including the rural northeastern section (dubbed the "Northeast Kingdom") is known for exceptionally cold winters, often averaging 10 °F (6 °C) colder than the southern areas of the state. Annual snowfall averages between 60 to 100 inches (150–250 cm) depending on elevation, giving Vermont some of New England's best cross-country and downhill ski areas.

In the autumn, Vermont's hills experience an explosion of red, orange and gold foliage displayed on the sugar maple as cold weather approaches. This famous display of color that occurs so abundantly in Vermont is not due so much to the presence of a particular variant of the sugar maple; rather it is caused by a number of soil and climate conditions unique to the area. The highest-recorded temperature was 105 °F (41 °C), at Vernon on July 4, 1911; the lowest-recorded temperature was -50 °F (-46 °C), at Bloomfield on December 30, 1933. New England Drives: Magnificent Mountains | Discover New England Paris Hill, Maine: Elegant homes Off the main road, high on Paris Hill, with wonderful views of the distant White Mountains. Among the elegant homes is Hannibal Hamlin's, President Lincoln's vice president. At the 1822 stone library, formerly the jail, ask about the fat prisoner who tried to escape. Bethel, Maine: Sunday River Resort High in the hills, Bethel was a retreat from the summer heat in the 19th century.

Today, visitors come year-round to play golf and to ski at Sunday River. To the north is Grafton Notch, where moose are frequently seen; to the southwest lies the spectacular Evans Notch in the White Mountains. Shelburne and Gorham, New Hampshire: I spy moose Route 2, paralleling the Androscoggin River, leads through the mountains into New Hampshire. Between Shelburne and Gorham, impressive white birches line the road. Both towns are good bases for exploring the unspoiled forest to the north, as well as nearby Mount Washington. This is another region where you may spot moose. Mount Washington, New Hampshire: Highest peak in the Northeast Although you can drive up the 6,288-ft Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast, it's easier to take the guided tour. The top, with its observation area and museum, is usually windy; even in high summer it can be cold. The Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire: National Scenic Byway One of the most beautiful highways in the USA, 'the Kanc' is a National Scenic Byway, named for a legendary Indian chief.

No private homes or service stations spoil the 35-mile run that climbs 3,000 ft. between Conway and Lincoln. Stop at scenic areas, such as Sabbaday Falls. Franconia Notch and Bretton Woods North of Lincoln, in the best-known high pass in New England, are some of New Hampshire's most recognizable icons. The rock profile that was the Old Man of the Mountain crumbled in 2002, but you can see what it looked like through special telescopes by the roadside. Walk up to the Flume (waterfall in a gorge) and visit Robert Frost Place (former home of America's favorite poet). Further on are Bretton Woods and the historic Omni Mount Washington Resort . Nearby is the Mount Washington Cog Railway , the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway, more than 130 years old. Hanover, New Hampshire: Hills and valley The Connecticut River serves as the border between Vermont and New Hampshire. Here, in the lovely Upper Valley, Hanover is home to Dartmouth College. Founded back in 1769, it is one of many excellent independent colleges and universities in New England.

Quechee, Vermont: Quechee Gorge Cross the Connecticut River (given to New Hampshire by King George III) and enter Vermont. Long famous for its 162-foot gorge, Quechee is now equally well known for the mill, now a stylish craft center for furniture and Simon Pearce's hand-blown glass. Woodstock, Vermont: Then and now Woodstock saw a major breakthrough in skiing in 1934, when residents hooked a Model T Ford engine to a rope and created America's first ski tow. Suicide Six, as the hill is now called, has delighted skiers ever since. Outside this handsome town, choose from three attractions: Billings Farm & Museum continues the old ways of dairy farming; the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park conserves a 550-acre forest; and VINS (the Vermont Institute of Natural Science) is known for its raptor center. Scenic Route 100, Vermont: Green Mountain scenic drive Running north-south, parallel to Vermont's Green Mountains, is Route 100.

Dotted with small farms and villages, the views are pretty, with signs for famous ski resorts such as Killington, Pico, Sugarbush and Mad River Glen. Ice cream fans head for Ben & Jerry's factory, to tour and taste (Waterbury). The Appalachian Trail - State by State The Appalachian Trail - State by State Springer <=====> Katahdin Note: ME,NH,VT and GA links checked March 2002. Will do rest later. Links being checked - early October, 1999. Many have been fixed, others that were not working eliminated. Will watch a few whose servers cannot be connected to. Those problems may well be temporary. Links last checked: May 27, 1998. Many eliminated as the files were not found. Many others had had changes of URL. Previous full checks: November 11-12, 1997, July 21, 1997. Here are some brief descriptions of the Trail as it passes through the fourteen states that are home to portions of it. In addition, there are links to various sources of information about areas either directly along the way or in the general vicinity of the A.T.

The mileages are fairly accurate, but don't take them as gospel. Reroutings of the Trail cause the trail mileage to change from year to year. You can keep up with the actual changes by getting a copy of the Data Book, which is issued yearly. Do not count on all information provided by various out-links as it is hard for files to be kept up to date. Therefore, be aware that some things may be inaccurate, especially things such as hours of operation, phone numbers and addresses. If it is important that you know, for example, the dates of operation of a particular store or campground, get in touch directly with the facility in question in advance. Maine - 281 Miles The northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail is Katahdin, 5,267 ft. high, in Baxter State Park in central Maine. The Trail continues southwest to Monson, eventually crossing the Kennebec River, at about the Maine halfway point. Many mountains later, and after passing through the famed Mahoosuc and Grafton notches, the Trail enters New Hampshire.

New Hampshire - 161 Miles Continuing through the rugged Mahoosuc Range, the Trail enters New Hampshire and then makes its first ascent in the state up Mt. Success and continues to the White Mountains. You can visit the headquarters of the AMC hut system at Pinkham Notch, at the foot of Mount Washington. Vermont - 146 Miles The Trail enters Vermont after crossing the Connecticut River. After joining up with the Long Trail at Sherburne Pass, the two trails are contiguous for 95 miles through the Green Mountains. Massachusetts - 90 Miles After entering Massachusetts near Williamstown, the Trail winds through the Berkshires before going on to cross the Hoosic and Housatonic Rivers. One peak it climbs is Mount Greylock (3491'), the highest point in the state. Connecticut - 52 Miles Crossing Bear Mountain, the Trail continues through the Taconic Range and then follows the scenic Housatonic River valley passing through several State Parks along the way. New York - 88 Miles The wildness of the A.T. is surprisingly close to New York City. You can take a bus from the city and be on the Trail within an hour.

The trail crosses the Hudson River, entering Harriman-Bear Mountain State Park, where the first section of the A.T. was completed in 1923. Heading south, the trail then passes through the newly protected Sterling Forest. New Jersey - 74 Miles The Trail in New Jersey goes through the Wawayanda State Park, later passing through High Point State Park. It then follows the Kittatinny Ridge and passes Sunfish Pond on its way to the Delaware Water Gap. Pennsylvania - 232 Miles The Trail enters the state at the Delaware Water Gap, following the eastern rim of the Alleghanies before crossing the Cumberland Valley on its way to Maryland. The Trail in Pennsylvania has the reputation for being just a wee bit rocky. West Virginia - 2 Miles The Trail passes within a few 100 yards of the ATC headquarters before crossing the Shenandoah River, and continuing into Virginia. Thru-hikers think of Harpers Ferry as being the psychological half-way point of the Trail - even though the actual half way point is in Pennsylvania.

(In southern Virginia, in the Peters Mountain area, the trail goes briefly along the West Virginia-Virginia border.) Virginia - 544 Miles About a quarter of the Trail lies within Virginia, including about 100 miles through the popular Shenandoah National Park. Further south, the Trail generally parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway, eventually going through the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and then coming into the town of Damascus, where Trail Days are celebrated every May. Vermont in Fanning's 1850 Gazetteer Atlas of the United States Fanning's Illustrated Gazetteer of the United States State, Territories, Counties, Cities, Towns & Post Offices 1850 Transcribed by Jeana Gallagher and Sandy Stutzman for the exclusive use of Genealogy Trails PT is post town; PV is post village; PO is post office, PB is post borough, CH is court house, T is town Vermont One of the United States, signifying in French, "Green Mountains," was first so-called by the people, in their declaration of independence, in 1777.

It lies between 42°44' and 45° north latitude, and 71°33' and 73°25' west longitude from Greenwich, and is bounded north by Canada; east by New Hampshire, which is separated from it by Connecticut river; south by Massachusetts; and west by New York, from which it is separated, in part, by Lake Champlain, and contains 10,200 square miles. Physical Aspect-- The surface of this state is generally uneven, and a great part of it mountainous. A large proportion of the soil is fertile, and adapted to the various purposes of northern agriculture. It is generally deep, of a dark color, rich, moist, warm, loamy, and seldom parched by drought. The "intervales" along the rivers and lakes are regarded as the best for tillage; and much of the land among the mountains is excellent for grazing, and here there are found many fine farms. Mountains-- The Green mountains, so named on account of the evergreens with which they are covered, extend in a lofty, unbroken range, quite through the central part of the state, from north to south.

In the southern part of Washington county they are separated into two ridges, the most westerly of which is much the highest. The highest elevations in this ridge are Killington peak, Camel's Hump or "Camel's Rump," as it is commonly called, and the "Chin," in Mansfield mountains. Ascutney is another noted mountain of this state, lying at the southward of Windsor. Rivers and Lakes-- The principal rivers are the Connecticut, Lamoille, Onion, Missisque, Winooski, White, Black, Champlain and Memphremagog lie partly in this state. Among the smaller bodies of water are Lakes Dunmore and Bombazine. Islands-- The principal of these are North and South Hero, and La Motte, all of which are in Lake Champlain. Climate-- The climate is remarkably healthy, but is subject to great extremes of heat and cold, the range of temperatures varying from 27° below zero to 100° above. Winter usually commences in its greatest severity early in December, and often continues till April.

During this season there is generally a prevalence of fair weather, and the cold is more uniform and steady than in other parts of New England near the coast. Productive Resources-- The chief products are horses, mules, neat cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, butter, cheese, sugar, wax, silk, wool, lumber, pot and pearl ashes, hay, hops, hemp, flax, wheat, rye, barley, buckwheat, oats, potatoes and Indian corn. Of the mineral or fossil resources, lead, iron, copperas, marble, limestone, and granite, form the principal. Manufactures-- Leather, bar and cast iron, boots and shoes, linseed oil, nails, mechanical and agricultural implements, cotton and woolen goods, paper &c, are among the products of manufacturing industry. Marble is quarried, sawn, and polished, in several places. Railroads and Canals-- There are several long lines of railroad in Vermont, extending from the borders of Massachusetts and New Hampshire to Burlington and Canada, and from Rutland to Whitehall and Troy in New York. There are about 400 miles of railroad in the state.

There are some short canals, designed to overcome obstructions in the navigation of the Connecticut and White rivers. Commerce-- The foreign commerce of Vermont is mostly with Canada. Its principal port is Burlington, on Lake Champlain. Its domestic and foreign trade amounts in value to about three fourths of a million of dollars annually. Education-- The oldest literary institution is the university at Burlington, founded in 1791. There are also, Middlebury college, Norwich university, and a medial school at Woodstock, all in a flourishing condition. Besides these, there are many academies, and some 3000 common schools in the state. Population-- In 1790 was 85,416; in 1800 was 154,465; in 1810 was 217,713; in 1820 was 235,764; in 1830 was 280,652; in 1840 was 291,948 and in 1850 was 314,120.

Government-- The legislative power is vested in a senate of thirty members, and a house of representatives, consisting of one member from each town; and the executive power in a governor, or in his absence, a lieutenant governor -- all chosen annually by the people, on the first Tuesday in September. The judiciary powers are vested in a supreme court of five judges, and county courts (each composed of one judge of the supreme court and two assistant judges), all chosen annually by the legislature. A council of thirteen censors is chosen once in seven years, to supervise the legislative and executive branches of government. The right of suffrage vests in male citizens of 21 years of age, who have resided in the state one year, and are of quiet and peaceable behavior. History-- The first permanent settlement in Vermont was made at Fort Dummer, in 1724, through the northwesterly part of this state was visited by Champlain and others as early as 1609. In the year 1739, New Hampshire claimed jurisdiction of the territory, and made many grants of land west of Connecticut river.

The same territory was also claimed by New York, whose right was established by decision of the crown, in 1764. In the meantime, New York has also made grants to others of the same tracts, which caused continued disputes, and even resistance, for years. In 1774, New York passed severe enactments on the subject; but, at the commencement of the Revolution, the contest was suspended. In 1777, the people preferring a government of their own, met in convention, and declared themselves a free and independent state. In consequence of these conflicting claims, Congress dared not admit Vermont into the Union at the commencement of the Revolutionary war, for fear of offending New Hampshire and New York, although she had expressed a readiness to throw off the British yoke. By another convention, held at Windsor, in 1777, a state constitution was adopted, but the government was not organized before 1778. In 1786, this constitution was modified, and was again revised in 1793.

In 1790, the controversy with New York was ended by the payment of $30,000 and the year following Vermont was admitted into the Union as a sovereign state. Motto of the sea, "Freedom and Unity." 1850 Counties of Vermont 38,320 Bennington, VT Seat of justice together with Manchester. It was named form Benning Wentworth, who, in 1749, was the royal governor of New Hampshire. It is drained by branches of Hoosick river, which afford good water power. Marble, iron ore and yellow ochre are found here. The principle village is on elevated ground, and makes a good appearance. A Little to be east is a considerable manufacturing village. In 1777, General Stark, with 800 Americans, defeated a superior British force, on the west border of this town. Burlington,VT Seat of justice & the chief port of entry for VT. It is pleasantly situated on a beautiful bay of Champlain and commands the principle trade of the county and of the lake.

To this point flow a large portion of the products of the Green Mountain state, and thence they are conveyed by railroad, steamboats, or other vessels, to Troy, Albany, New York, St John, and other places. Rising from the water by a gentle acclivity, and laid out in regular streets, adorned with gardens and dwellings, Burlington is as conspicuous for its pleasant and healthful location, as for its commercial advantages. The dome of the University of Vermont, which stands on an eminence 250 feet above the lake, commands a most varied, extensive and delightful prospect. A light-house on Juniper Island marks the entrance of the harbor, and a breakwater, erected by the general government, protects it from the west winds of the lake. This village communicates by railroad with Montpelier, Boston, and intermediate places.

Population in 1810 was 1,690; in 1820 blank; in 1830 was 3,525; in 1840 was 4,271 and in 1850 was 5,211 Montpelier, VT Montpelier, seat of justice of Washington Co and Capital of the state of VT, is pleasantly situated amid rugged hills, 160 miles northwest of Boston and 516 miles from Washington. Watered by Onion river and tributaries. It is the thoroughfare and centre of an extensive trade from Boston and other points. The dwellings are neat and handsome, and the architecture of the state capital is admired for its purity and beauty. The edifice is built of dark granite, in the form of a cross, and is of Doric order. The centre is 72 feet wide, and 100 feet deep; the two wings are each 39 feet wide and 50 feet deep; the top of the dome is 36 feet above the ridge and 100 feet from the ground.

Montpelier is connected by railway with Burlington and Boston, and the intermediate places. Population: in 1810 was 1,877; in 1820 was blank; in 1830 was 1,792; in 1840 was 3,725 and in 1850 was 3,210. Back to Index Page of 1850 Gazetteer The Official New England Travel Site: Visit Vermont | Discover New England Plymouth, Vermont Vermont Vermont has picture-perfect scenery: fields dotted with white and brown cows, red barns and covered bridges, stone walls and country roads. But it is also great for hiking, skiing and boarding, maple syrup and ice cream, romantic weekends and family breaks. Hiking the Green Mountains Like a spine running down the state, the Green Mountains run north-south for 160 miles (255km). Rolling rather than craggy, the ‘Greens’ boast five peaks rising to more than 4,000 feet (1,219m), with Mount Mansfield the tallest at 4,393 feet (1,340m).

Two of America’s best-loved hiking routes are here: the Long Trail (the oldest long-distance trail in the USA) and a section of the 2,178-mile (3,500-km) Appalachian Trail. Outstanding views, pristine ponds, alpine bogs, hardwood forests and swift streams: all are on offer. If you prefer to drive, follow scenic Route 100 to the east of the Green Mountains, through classic villages such as Ludlow and Stockbridge. Equally scenic is Route 7 to the west, linking Bennington, Manchester, Rutland, Brandon and Middlebury. During fall foliage season, Vermont is busy weekends; try to visit midweek. Lake Champlain & Burlington Far from the sea, this large lake is New England’s "west coast." Stretching for 120 miles (200 km), from Massachusetts up to the Canadian border, it is just 12 miles (20 km) across at its widest point. The main hub is Burlington , Vermont’s largest city and buzzing with college students. In town, browse the one-of-a-kind shops and galleries along historic Church Street Marketplace or go on a Burlington Brew Tour .

Highlights at the Robert Hull Fleming Museum include works by Winslow Homer, Sol LeWitt, and Andy Warhol. Take a narrated cruise on the lake, go kite surfing, take in a free lakeside concert, or visit ECHO , a waterfront aquarium and science center. Or, rent a bike and pedal along the Lake Champlain Bikeway . Leaf Peeping: Vermont’s Dramatic Fall Foliage It’s the best free show on earth. When the leaves on the trees in Vermont change color in the fall (autumn), the world comes to ooh and aah. Seeing the tapestry of scarlet, gold, purple and orange is easy, just follow a scenic byway — and keep your camera handy. Favorite routes include the Connecticut River Byway, Green Mountain Byway, Lake Champlain Byway, Mad River Byway, Stone Valley Scenic Byway, and Molly Stark Byway. Or, watch the scenery pass by while you relax aboard a train, such as the Green Mountain Flyer . Explore Vermont’s many charming and historic towns: Stowe , Woodstock , Weston , and Bennington .

Visit a classic Vermont country store, check out galleries that showcase local craftspeople, or make a picnic from fresh produce and specialty cheeses. Ski Vermont! Boarding was born in Vermont; America’s first ski lift was built at Woodstock in 1934 - so skiing and boarding really are a way of life in the Green Mountains. With 20 alpine resorts and 30 cross-country touring centers, there is room for everyone from advanced downhillers to training toddlers. The ski schools are amongst the best in the US, so visitors quickly learn how to enjoy moguls and cross-country excursions, or snowshoeing — fast-growing in popularity. This winter wonderland offers winter resorts with full-service restaurants, spas and entertainment, as well as picturesque villages, with cozy bed & breakfasts, where you can cross-country ski right from the back door into the idyllic woods. How Sweet It Is: Vermont Maple Syrup Vermont is the United States’ No 1 producer of maple syrup and discovering more about this liquid gold is easy. Stop to talk, taste and buy; find out about the four different grades; buy maple syrup fudge and other goodies.

Vermont’s sugar maple trees turn bright scarlet every fall; 'sugaring', the making of maple syrup, takes place in March, when the Vermont Maple Open House Weekend celebrates this tradition. Learn about sugaring year-round at Dutton Berry Farm & Stands or Dakin Farm . Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream Factory Tour Say Ben & Jerry’s and everyone knows you are talking about the world’s favorite ice cream. Yet another Vermont success story, Ben & Jerry’s started here in 1978. The best place to get the scoop on your favorite flavor is in Waterbury, where you can tour the factory, then taste the flavor of the day. Grandeur in the Shires: Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home Abraham Lincoln was famous for his stove pipe hats. One of only four left in the world is on show at the family home in Manchester, in the quiet Shires region of southern Vermont . In the beautiful Georgian Revival mansion, built by the president’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln, the self-guided tour includes the 1,000-pipe organ, believed to be the oldest of its kind in the country. With its beautiful gardens, the hillside estate offers breathtaking views.

In October, during Foliage Art & Craft Festivals , more than 150 juried artists and artisans exhibit one-of-a-kind-creations. Billings Farm & Museum / Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park Step back a century to see a late-19th century farm in action, complete with Jerseys, sheep, horses, oxen, and chickens. Just outside Woodstock , one of America’s prettiest towns, Billings Farm & Museum is a reminder of Vermont’s rural heritage. Next door, explore the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park — Vermont’s only national park. Tour the mansion and gardens, or walk along the miles of carriage trails under sugar maples and 400-year-old hemlocks. Taste Vermont Culinary Delights When it comes to good food and great restaurants, Vermont offers both. Thanks to the Vermont Fresh Network , farmers, food producers and chefs work closely with each other. The result is the country’s highest per-capita sales from farmers direct to consumers — five times greater than the national average. This adds up to outstanding culinary experiences, with many menus naming local producers of, for example, salad greens, meat, fruits and cheeses.

A special treat is the Vermont Cheese Trail , linking the producers of artisan cheeses throughout the state. To dine on some of Vermont’s finest produce, try Michael's on the Hill in Waterbury Center; the fine cuisine prepared at the Essex Inn (a culinary resort and spa); or the Belted Cow Bistro in Essex Junction, given the "2010 Best Use of Local Flavor in Vermont" award by Yankee Magazine. Also see: Vermont Farm Tours , Vermont Cheesemakers Festival , Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival , Dig in Vermont Covered Bridges Covered bridges are romantic reminders of the past, when the roofs protected the woodwork, rather than pedestrians, from rain and snow. Amazingly, Vermont still has 106 covered bridges, spread throughout the state: walk through them, cycle through them, even drive through them. Learn about how covered bridges were designed and made at the Vermont Covered Bridge Museum in Bennington, and visit the five covered bridges, that are just minutes away.

Learn about more travel adventures in Vermont: Travel & Explore | USA | Vermont | Vermont in a nutshell Vermont Vermont in a nutshell Set on the western edge of New England, picture postcard-pretty Vermont is particularly well known for its charming towns and villages, such as Woodstock, Bennington and Middlebury, with their white-spired churches, welcoming old inns, prestigious colleges and impressive art and history museums. A close second are the ski resorts such as Stowe, Sugar Bush and Killington. Other notable attractions include the beautiful Green Mountains in the centre of the state, the spectacular autumn foliage and more than 400 lakes and ponds, the largest being immense Lake Champlain. Sited on the New York State border, it is overlooked by Vermont's only city, attractive Burlington, and - just to the south - by Shelburne's museum, with its outstanding collection of Americana. An historian once described Vermont as 'Every American's second state'. Wedged into northwestern New England, between Canada and Massachusetts, this is rural America at its most romantic.

Say 'Vermont' to an American, and up comes a vision of red barns and covered bridges, clapboard houses and white churches, apples and cheese, maple syrup and ice cream, contented cows and the most famous fall (autumn) scenery in North America. Best of all, the vision is much like the reality. It doesn't matter which way you point your camera, Vermont is easy on the eye. Considering that only seven other USA states are smaller than Vermont, its scenic variety is surprising. Along its left flank is sausage-shaped Lake Champlain, New England's 150-mile long 'West Coast', with grand views across to New York State. To the east, the Connecticut River forms a natural border with New Hampshire. Running north and south are the Green Mountains, described by French explorer Samuel de Champlain as verts monts back in 1609. Anglicise that, et voilà! There are a number of right ways to approach Vermont. Drive up from Boston and two hours later, you are in Brattleboro. What was a gritty mill town has had an imaginative facelift, with the old Union Railroad Station now the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center.

The entire state is a retreat for artists and craftspeople, from painters and potters, to sculptors and glass blowers. In Brattleboro, on the first Friday of the month, you can stroll around 20 galleries and studios, all open, all offering a welcoming drink and artists happy to chat, even if you don't buy. Just up the road, outside Dummerston, is Naulakha, home of Mr and Mrs Rudyard Kipling a century ago. Here he wrote The Jungle Books and began the Just So stories. Now owned by Britain's Landmark Trust, the lovely old house can be rented, so you can play tennis on the same grass courts as the creator of Mowgli. UNMISSABLE: A visit to poet Robert Frost's grave in Bennington's Old First Church cemetery as well as to the Bennington Museum's Grandma Moses paintings and other collections.

(You might also want to drop by Rutland's Norman Rockwell Museum or Rudyard Kipling's home, Naulakha, near Dummerston.) A stroll past the old houses and churches of exquisite Woodstock; a gondola ride up Vermont's highest peak, 4,393ft Mount Mansfield; or a soar down the slopes of the nearby Stowe ski resort. And don't forget to stop by for a tasting at Waterbury's world-renowned Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream factory. Only in Vermont In 2004, the National Geographic Society applauded the Moosalamoo Region of the Green Mountains in their World Legacy Awards. Near Brandon, it has 30 acres of wild blueberry bushes, 60 miles of hiking and cross-country ski trails, and plenty of wildlife: moose, bobcat, bear, falcons and hawks. Angling has a long tradition here, especially on the hallowed Batten Kill River. That’s why Manchester Village is home to the small but beautifully presented American Museum of Fly Fishing, with its collection of celebrity rods and flies.

The 50 States:Vermont- TeachersFirst Show Bird and Flower Geography and Landforms: Vermont is nicknamed the Green Mountain State because of the Green Mountains that run through the middle of the state. Mount Mansfield is the tallest mountain in Vermont, at 4,235 feet. As mountain ranges go, the Green Mountains are very old, and have been sculpted to their present form during several ice ages. Granite, marble, slate asbestos and talc have all been mined from the range. Vermont's Lake Champlain is the sixth largest body of fresh water in the United States. Seventy-seven percent of Vermont is still forests. In comparison with most states, Vermont is small in total area. Still, Vermont is the second largest state in New England after Maine, just a few hundred square miles larger than New Hampshire. The Green Mountain State is bordered by Canada, New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. It is 157.4 miles in length, 90.3 miles wide at the Canadian border, and 41.6 miles along the Massachusetts border. The Connecticut River forms the eastern boundary, while the western boundary runs down the middle of Lake Champlain for more than half of its length.

Vermont has 223 mountains over 2,000 feet in elevation. The mountainous areas of the state are primarily forested. In fact, although Vermont was virtually clear-cut of timber during the late 19th century, more than 75 percent of the state's total area is now forest. Below the mountains and rolling hills are the fertile valleys that support an extensive dairy industry. History: The French explorer Samuel de Champlain sailed into the lake now named for him in 1609 with a party of Algonquin Indians. Their plan was to conquer lands in control of the Iroquois. Champlain called the area "Verde Mont," the French words for Green Mountains. The French did not attempt any permanent settlement until 1666, when they built a fort and a shrine to Saint Anne on the Isle La Motte in Lake Champlain. However, this and later French settlements were abandoned, and until well into the 18th century the region was something of a no-man's-land. The first permanent English settlement was established along the Connecticut River in 1724 at Fort Dummer, near what is now Brattleboro.

The fort was maintained by the colonial governments of Massachusetts and New Hampshire as a defensive outpost throughout the French and Indian Wars. Although Champlain had claimed the land for the country of France in 1763, the British took control of Vermont under the terms of the Treaty of Paris, the treaty that ended the French and Indian War. However, at that time, both the colonies of New York and New Hampshire claimed the land, then known as the "New Hampshire Grants," for themselves. Most of the European settlers were from Connecticut or Massachusetts, and did not wish to be under the control of New York. In 1775, Ethan Allen and his "Green Mountain Boys" organized in opposition to the "Yorkers," and in 1777 they declared Vermont an independent republic, which it remained until 1791 when Vermont became the 14th state admitted to the United States. The 1777 Vermont Constitution was the first to abolish slavery and the first to eliminate the requirement that voters must be landholders.

In the next two decades Vermont had the greatest population increase in its history, from 85,425 in 1790 to 217,895 in 1810. As in the earlier days, most of the settlers migrated from Southern New England, and, since the more desirable lands in the river valleys were soon taken, many of them settled in the less hospitable hills. Economy: The rise of manufacturing in towns and villages during the early 19th century created a demand for produce for the non-farming population. Consequently, commercial farming began to crowd out the subsistence farming that had predominated since the mid-18th century. Grain and beef cattle became the chief market produce, but when the rapidly expanding West began to supply these commodities more cheaply and when wool textile mills began to spring up in Southern New England, Vermont turned to raising sheep. After the Civil War, however, the sheep industry, unable to withstand the competition from the American West as well as from Australian and South American wool, began to diminish. The rural population declined as many farmers migrated westward or turned to the apparently easier life of the cities, and abandoned farms became a common sight.

The transition to dairy farming in the twenty years following the Civil War staved off a permanent decline in Vermont's agricultural pursuits. Since the 1960s, Vermont's economy has grown significantly with booms in the tourist industry and in rural homebuilding, and with the attraction of high-technology firms to the Burlington area. Dairy farming has long been dominant in Vermont agriculture, although it has declined somewhat. Apples, cheese, maple syrup, and greenhouse and nursery products are important. The state's most valuable mineral resources are stone, asbestos, sand and gravel, and talc. In the area around Rutland and Proctor is a noted marble industry, and at Barre the famous Vermont granite is quarried and processed. The manufacture of non-electric machinery, machine tools, and precision instruments is also important. The textile industry, once dominant in Burlington, has declined, but the manufacture of computer components, food products, pulp and paper, and plastics has helped to compensate for this loss. Cottage industries have long thrived in Vermont, making a variety of products from knitwear to ice cream. Tourism is also vitally important to the state economy.

First Inhabitants: Vermont's story begins with the native peoples who frequented the territory between the Connecticut River and Lake Champlain long before the Europeans came. Between 7,000 and 5,500 BC, we know that small groups of people lived throughout the lowlands of the Champlain Valley and along the Walloomsac River in southwestern Vermont. By around 4000 BC, the climate began to warm, and the number of people living in the area grew. The Natives were nomadic in most cases, however, and there were a few permanent settlements. Those without permanent villages returned to the same places year after year to raise corn or other crops. Evidence of woodworking tools seems to indicate that the people used dugout canoes for transportation along Vermont's rivers. By the materials used to make tools and other items, we know that the people traded with others. The Early Woodland period, beginning around 900 BC, brings the first evidence of pottery and bow and arrow. The earliest known Native farm site in Vermont is in Springfield, on the Connecticut River, and dates from around 1100 AD -- nearly 400 years before Columbus.

The Native American inhabitants of this area were the Abenaki, a tribe of the Algonquin nation. Archaeologists have discovered evidence of Abenaki villages along the shores of Lake Champlain near the mouth of the Winooski River. "Winooski" is an Abenaki term for "wild onion." Abenaki villages were also located along the Connecticut River. The arrival of Samuel de Champlain in 1609 signaled the beginning of the end of the native culture of Vermont. Although the native people had survived changes in climate, the availability of food and other hardships for nearly 11,000 years, the Natives could not compete with the arrival of Europeans and their diseases and desire for land. Between 1600 and 1800, Vermont's native population was almost completely wiped out. Books Related To Vermont

Question: Which US state borders Canada and the Connecticut River, and has the Green Mountains running through its centre?
Answer: Vermont