Difference between revisions of "Connecticut" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{US state |
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{{Infobox U.S. state
Name = Connecticut |
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|Name               = Connecticut
Fullname = State of Connecticut |
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|Fullname           = State of Connecticut
Flag = Flag of Connecticut.svg |
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|Flag               = Flag of Connecticut.svg
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|Seal                = Connecticut state seal.png
Flower = Mountain Laurel<ref name=SOTS>[http://www.sots.ct.gov/RegisterManual/SectionX/SITESEALSYMB.htm STATE OF CONNECTICUT, Sites
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|Flower             = Mountain Laurel<ref name=SOTS/>
° Seals ° Symbols]; ''Connecticut State Register & Manual''; retrieved on December 15, 2006</ref>|
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|Tree               = White Oak<ref name=SOTS/>
Tree = White Oak<ref name=SOTS/>|
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|Flaglink             = [[Flag of Connecticut|Flag]]
Flaglink = [[Flag of Connecticut]] |
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|Map                 = Map_of_USA_CT.svg
Seallink=[[Seal of Connecticut]]|
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|Nickname           = The Constitution State<br />The Nutmeg State<br />The Provisions State<br />The Land of Steady Habits<ref name=cslib> Connecticut's Nicknames Connecticut State Library.</ref><ref name=SOTS>{{cite web|title=SOTS: Sites, Seals & Symbols}}</ref>
Map = Map_of_USA_CT.svg |
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|Motto               = [[Qui transtulit sustinet]].<ref name=SOTS/> ([[Latin]])
Nickname = The Constitution State, The Nutmeg State<ref name=SOTS/> |
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|MottoEnglish        = He who transplanted sustains.
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|Former              = Connecticut Colony
Motto = [[Qui transtulit sustinet]]<ref name=SOTS/><br /> Latin meaning "He who is transplanted still sustains" |
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|Capital             = [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]
Capital = [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] |
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|LargestMetro       = [[Greater Hartford]]
LargestMetro = [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford Metro Area]]<ref name=metrocompare>[http://www.census.gov/compendia/smadb/SMADBmetro.html State Data from the State and Metropolitan Area Data Book: 2006]. United States Census Bureau.  Last accessed 2007-10-16.</ref> |
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|LargestCity         = [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]<ref name=popcompare> Population Estimates for All Places: 2000 to 2006: Connecticut SUB-EST2006-04-09.xls. United States Census Bureau.</ref>
LargestCity = [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]<ref name=popcompare>[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2006-04-09.xls Population Estimates for All Places: 2000 to 2006: Connecticut SUB-EST2006-04-09.xls]. United States Census Bureau. Last accessed 2007-10-16.</ref> |
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|Demonym            = Connecticuter,<ref>United States Government Printing Office Style Manual (2000), §5.23, http://www.gpoaccess.gov/stylemanual/index.html</ref> [[Nutmegger]]<ref>SHG Resources, http://www.shgresources.com/resources/symbols/names/residentnames/</ref>
Governor = [[M. Jodi Rell]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])|
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|Governor           = [[Dannel Malloy]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
Senators = [[Christopher Dodd]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])<br />[[Joe Lieberman]] ([[Independent Democrat|ID]]) |
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|Lieutenant Governor = [[Nancy Wyman]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
  PostalAbbreviation = CT. |
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|Legislature        = [[Connecticut General Assembly|General Assembly]]
OfficialLang = [[English language|English]] |
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|Upperhouse          = [[Connecticut Senate|Senate]]
AreaRank = 48<sup>th</sup> |
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|Lowerhouse          = [[Connecticut House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
TotalArea = 14,356|
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|Senators            = [[Joe Lieberman]] ([[Independent Democrat|ID]]) <br /> [[Richard Blumenthal]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
TotalAreaUS = 5,543<ref name=pop/>|
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|Representative=5 Democrats
LandArea = 12,559 |
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|PostalAbbreviation = CT
LandAreaUS = 4,849 |
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|OfficialLang = None
WaterArea = 1,809 |
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|AreaRank           = 48th
WaterAreaUS = 698 |
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|TotalArea           = 14,357
PCWater = 12.6 |
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|TotalAreaUS         = 5,543
PopRank = 29<sup>th</sup> |
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|LandArea           = 12,559
2000Pop = 3,405,565<ref name=pop>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bf/_lang=en_vt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_GCTPH1R_US9S_geo_id=01000US.html GCT-PH1-R. Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density (geographies ranked by total population): 2000]. United States Census Bureau.  Last accessed 2007-02-20.</ref>|
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|LandAreaUS         = 4,849
DensityRank = 4<sup>th</sup> |
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|WaterArea           = 1,809
2000Density = 271.40 |
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|WaterAreaUS         = 698
2000DensityUS = 702.9 |
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|PCWater             = 12.6
MedianHouseholdIncome = $55,970 |
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|PopRank             = 29th
  IncomeRank = 4<sup>th</sup> |
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|2000Pop             = 3,580,709 (2011 est)<ref name=PopEstUS>{{cite web|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for the United States, Regions, States, and Puerto Rico: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011|format=[[comma-separated values|CSV]]|work=2011 Population Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau, Population Division|date=December 2011}}</ref>
AdmittanceOrder = 5<sup>th</sup> |
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|DensityRank         = 4th
AdmittanceDate = January 9, 1788 |
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|2000Density         = 285
TimeZone = [[Eastern Standard Time (North America)|Eastern]]: [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]-5/[[Daylight saving time|-4]] |
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|2000DensityUS       = 739
Longitude = 71°47′ W to 73°44′ W |
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|MedianHouseholdIncome = $68,595
Latitude = 40°58′ N to 42°03′ N |
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|IncomeRank            = 3rd
Width = 113 |
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|HumanDevelopmentIndex = 0.962
WidthUS = 70 |
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|HDIRank              = 1st
Length = 177 |
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|AdmittanceOrder       = 5th
LengthUS = 110 |
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|AdmittanceDate       = January 9, 1788
HighestPoint = [[Mount Frissell|South slope of Mount Frissel]]<ref name=usgs>
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|TimeZone             = [[Eastern Standard Time (North America)|Eastern]]: [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]-5/[[Daylight saving time|-4]]
{{cite web| date =29 April 2005 |
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|Longitude             = 71°47′ W to 73°44′ W
url =http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest|  
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|Latitude             = 40°58′ N to 42°03′ N
title =Elevations and Distances in the United States|  
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|Width                 = 113
publisher =U.S Geological Survey|  
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|WidthUS               = 70
accessdate =2006-11-03}}</ref><br />Note: The peak of Mount Frissel<br />is in Massachusetts | The highest peak in Connecticut lays forty miles south in the town of New Milford as part of a ridge.
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|Length               = 177
HighestElev = 726 |
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|LengthUS             = 110
HighestElevUS = 2,380 |
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|HighestPoint         = [[Massachusetts]] border on <br>south slope of [[Mount Frissell]]<ref name=USGS>{{cite web|url=http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html|title=Elevations and Distances in the United States|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|year=2001|accessdate=October 21, 2011}}</ref><ref name=NAVD88>Elevation adjusted to [[North American Vertical Datum of 1988]].</ref>
MeanElev = 152 |
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|HighestElev           = 725
MeanElevUS = 500 |
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|HighestElevUS         = 2,379
LowestPoint = [[Long Island Sound]]<ref name=usgs/> |
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|MeanElev             = 150
LowestElev = 0 |
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|MeanElevUS           = 500
LowestElevUS = 0 |
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|LowestPoint           = [[Long Island Sound]]<ref name=USGS/><ref name=NAVD88/>
ISOCode = US-CT |
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|LowestElev           = 0
TradAbbreviation = Conn.|
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|LowestElevUS         = 0
Website = www.ct.gov
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|ISOCode               = US-CT
 +
|TradAbbreviation     = Conn.
 +
|Website               = www.ct.gov
 
}}
 
}}
'''Connecticut''' ({{IPAEng|kəˈnɛtɪkət}})<ref>{{cite web |url= http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/connecticut|title= Connecticut - Definitions from Dictionary.com |accessdate=2007-09-17 }}</ref> is a [[U.S. state|state]] located in the [[New England]] region of the [[Northeastern United States|northeastern]] [[United States of America]]. Portions of southwestern Connecticut are also considered part of the [[New York metropolitan area]]. Connecticut is the [[List of U.S. states by population|29th]] most populous state with 3.4 million residents and ranked [[List of U.S. states by area|48th]] in size by area, making it the [[List of U.S. states by population density|4th]] most densely populated state.<ref name=pop/> Called the "Constitution State," Connecticut has a long history dating from the early colonial times, and was influential in the development of early American government.
 
  
While Connecticut's first European settlers were [[Dutch people|Dutch]], the first major settlements were established in the 1630s by the English. [[Thomas Hooker]] led a band of followers overland from the [[Massachusetts Bay colony]] and founded what would become the [[Connecticut Colony]]; other settlers from Massachusetts founded the [[Saybrook Colony]] and the [[New Haven Colony]]. Both the Connecticut and New Haven Colonies established documents of [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]], considered the first [[constitution]]s in North America. In 1662, the disparate colonies merged under a royal charter, making Connecticut a [[crown colony]]. This colony was one of the [[Thirteen Colonies]] that revolted against [[United Kingdom|British]] rule in the [[American Revolution]].
 
  
Connecticut enjoys a [[temperate]] climate thanks to its long coastline on the [[Long Island Sound]]. This has given the state a strong [[maritime]] tradition. Modern Connecticut is also known for its wealth. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Connecticut had ready access to raw materials which helped to develop a strong [[History of Connecticut industry|manufacturing industry]]. In the 19th and 20th centuries, financial organizations flourished: first [[insurance]] companies in Hartford, then [[hedge funds]] along the [[Gold Coast, Connecticut|Gold Coast]]. This prosperity has helped give Connecticut the highest [[per capita]] income and [[Household income in the United States|median household income]] in the country.<ref>{{cite web| date=29 November 2005| title=Highest wages in East, lowest in South| publisher=USA Today| url=http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2005-11-29-wage_x.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| date=18 March2000| title=Census 2000| publisher= United States Census Bureau| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-_box_head_nbr=GCT-P14&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&-format=US-9}}</ref>
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'''Connecticut''' is one of the Unites States. It is located in the [[New England]] region of the [[Northeastern United States|northeastern]] [[United States of America]]. Connecticut is the 29th most populous state with 3.4 million residents and is ranked 48th in size by area. Connecticut is the fourth most densely populated state. Only [[Delaware]] and [[Rhode Island]] are smaller in total area.  
  
== Geography ==
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Connecticut has a long history dating from early colonial times. Its [[Fundamental Orders of 1639]] are considered to be the first written constitution in the Americas. The orders were influential in the development of early American government. Connecticut's was one of the thirteen original colonies and in 1788 became the fifth state to join the fledgling United States. Its nickname is "The Constitution State." It is also the home of [[Yale University]], founded in 1701. Yale is an [[Ivy league]] university and is consistently ranked as one of the world's top universities.
{{further|[[Geology of Connecticut]]}}
 
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, Connecticut|Hartford]], and the other major cities include [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]], [[New London, Connecticut|New London]], [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]], [[Norwich, Connecticut|Norwich]], [[Milford, Connecticut|Milford]], [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]], [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], [[Waterbury, Connecticut|Waterbury]], [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]] and [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]]. There are 169 [[incorporated town]]s in Connecticut.  
 
[[Image:Approaching Summit Again.JPG|left|thumb|155px|Bear Mountain, highest peak in Connecticut]]
 
The highest peak in Connecticut is [[Bear Mountain (Connecticut)|Bear Mountain]] in [[Salisbury, Connecticut|Salisbury]] in the northwest corner of the state. The highest point is just east of where Connecticut, [[Massachusetts]], and [[New York]] meet (42° 3' N; 73° 29' W), on the southern slope of [[Mount Frissell]], whose peak lies nearby in Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=7083| title=Mount Frissell-South Slope| publisher=peakbagger.com}}</ref>
 
  
The Connecticut River cuts through the center of the state, flowing into Long Island Sound, Connecticut's outlet to the [[Atlantic Ocean]].
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The state's first European settlers were from the [[Netherlands]]. However, the first major settlements were established in the 1630s by  [[England|English]] settlers who moved overland from [[Massachsetts Bay Colony]]. The immigration from [[Massachusetts]] formed three disparate colonies; River Colony (Hartford), Old Saybrook, and Quinnipiack (New Haven). Those colonies merged in 1662 under a [[royal charter]] making Connecticut a [[crown colony]].  
{{further|[[List of Connecticut rivers]]}}
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{{toc}}
Despite its size, the state has regional variations in its landscape and culture from the wealthy estates of Fairfield County's "[[Gold Coast, Connecticut|Gold Coast]]" to the rolling mountains and horse-farms of the [[Litchfield Hills]] of northwestern Connecticut. Connecticut's rural areas and [[Image:Highest Point here.JPG|right|thumb|155px|Highest point in Connecticut on slope of Mount Frissell, as seen from Bear Mountain]]small towns in the northeast and northwest corners of the state contrast sharply with its industrial cities, located along the coastal highways from the New York border to New Haven, then northwards to Hartford, as well as further up the coast near New London. Many towns center around a small park, known as a "green," (such as the [[New Haven Green]]), Litchfield Green, Simsbury Green, and New Milford Green(the largest in the state). 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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Connecticut's temperate climate and long coastline on [[Long Island Sound]] have given the state a deep [[maritime]] tradition. Modern Connecticut is known for its wealth, initially based on industry. Financial organizations have flourished in the state. First [[insurance]] companies in Hartford, then [[hedge funds]]. This prosperity has helped give Connecticut the highest per capita income and median household income and some of the highest taxes in the country.
{{further|[[List of Connecticut state forests]]}}
 
The northern boundary of the state with Massachusetts is marked by the distinctive [[Southwick Jog]]/[[Granby Notch]], an approximately 2.5 mile (4.0 km) square detour into Connecticut slightly west of the center of the border. Somewhat surprisingly, the actual origin of this anomaly is not absolutely certain, with stories ranging from surveyors who were drunk, attempting to avoid hostile Native Americans, or taking a shortcut up the Connecticut River; Massachusetts residents attempting to avoid Massachusetts' high taxes for the low taxes of Connecticut; Massachusetts' interest in the resources represented by the [[Congamond Lakes]] which lie on the border of the jog; and the need to compensate Massachusetts for an amount of land given to Connecticut due to inaccurate survey work.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.southwickma.org/Public_Documents/F000102F9/S00476B50-00476B5B.0/The%20Southwick%20Jog.pdf | title=The Southwick Jog}} </ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cslib.org/jog.htm|title=Connecticut's Southwick Jog| publisher=Connecticut State Library}}</ref>
 
  
The southwestern border of Connecticut, where it abuts New York State, is marked by a [[panhandle]] in [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]], containing the towns of [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], [[New Canaan, Connecticut|New Canaan]] and [[Darien, Connecticut|Darien]]. This irregularity in the boundary is the result of [[History of Connecticut#Territorial disputes|territorial disputes]] in the late 1600s, culminating with New York giving up its claim to this area, whose residents considered themselves part of Connecticut, in exchange for an equivalent area extending northwards from [[Ridgefield, Connecticut]] to the Massachusetts border as well as undisputed claim to [[Rye, New York]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cslib.org/panhandle.htm| title=Connecticut's "Panhandle"| publisher=Connecticut State Library}}</ref>
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Notable figures from the state span American political and cultural history, including [[Roger Sherman]], [[Benedict Arnold]], [[Nathan Hale]], [[Eli Whitney]], [[John Brown]], [[Harriet Beecher Stowe]], [[Mark Twain]], [[Charles Ives]], [[Eugene O'Neill]], and [[Katharine Hepburn]].
{{further|[[Connecticut Panhandle]]}}
 
  
Areas maintained by the [[National Park Service]] include: [[Appalachian National Scenic Trail]]; [[Quinebaug & Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor]]; and [[Weir Farm National Historic Site]].
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== Geography ==
 +
[[Image:Approaching Summit Again.JPG|thumb|225px|Bear Mountain, highest peak in Connecticut.]]
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Connecticut is bordered on the south by [[Long Island Sound]], on the west by [[New York]], 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, New Britain, Norwich, Milford, Norwalk, Stamford, Waterbury, Danbury, and Bridgeport, the largest.  
  
===Climate===
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The highest elevation in Connecticut is Mount Frissell in the northwestern corner of the state. The peak and northern part of the mountain are located within [[Massachusetts]]. The southern slope of Mount Frissell is located within Connecticut and the highest elevation within the state is 2,379 ft (725 m). Bear Mountain, located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) to the east, is the highest [[mountain]] summit in Connecticut.  
Connecticut has a [[Koppen climate classification#GROUP D: Continental.2Fmicrothermal climate|Humid Continental Climate]], with seasonal extremes tempered by its proximity to the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. Winters are cold, with average temperatures ranging from 31 °F (-1 °C) in the southeast to 23 °F (-5 °C) in the northwest in January. The average yearly snowfall is about 25–100" (64–254 cm) across the state, with higher totals in the northwest. Spring has variable temperatures with frequent rainfall. Summer is hot and humid throughout the state, with average highs in New London of 81 °F (27 °C) and 87 °F (31 °C) in Windsor Locks. Fall months are mild, and bring foliage across the state in October and November. During hurricane season, tropical cyclones occasionally affect the region. Thunderstorms are most frequent during the summer, occurring on average 30 times annually. These storms can be severe, though tornadoes are rare.<ref name= "tornadoes"> {{cite web| url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/climate/research/tornado/small/avgt5304.gif| title=Annual average number of tornadoes| publisher=NOAA National Climatic Data Center| accessdate=2006-10-24}} </ref>
 
  
== History ==
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The Connecticut River cuts through the center of the state, flowing into Long Island Sound, Connecticut's outlet to the [[Atlantic Ocean]].
[[Image:Ctcolony.png|thumb|right|400px|A map of the Connecticut, New Haven, and Saybrook colonies.]]
 
The name "Connecticut" originates from the [[Mohegan]] word ''quinnitukqut'', meaning "place of long tidal river."<ref name="AboutCT">{{cite web | url = http://www.ct.gov/ctportal/cwp/view.asp?a=843&q=246434 | title = CT.gov: About Connecticut | accessdate =2005-12-18}}</ref> The first European explorer in Connecticut was the Dutch explorer [[Adriaen Block]]. After he explored this region in 1614, Dutch fur traders sailed up the Connecticut River (Named Versche Rivier by the Dutch) and built a fort at Dutch Point near present-day Hartford, which they called "House of Hope" ([[Dutch language|Dutch]]: Huis van Hoop).  
 
  
[[John Winthrop the Younger|John Winthrop]], then of Massachusetts, got permission to create a new colony at Old Saybrook at the mouth of the Connecticut River in 1635. This was the first of three distinct colonies that later would be combined to make up Connecticut. Saybrook Colony was a direct challenge to Dutch claims. The colony was not more than a small outpost and never matured. In 1644, the Saybrook Colony merged itself into the Connecticut Colony.
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Despite its size, the state has regional variations in its landscape and culture, from the wealthy estates of Fairfield County's "Gold Coast" to the rolling [[mountain]]s and [[horse]] farms of northwestern Connecticut. Connecticut's rural areas and small towns in the northeast and northwest corners of the state contrast sharply with its industrial cities, located along the coastal highways, US Route 84 and US Route 95, from the New York border to New Haven, then northward to Hartford, as well as farther up the coast near New London. Many towns center around a small park, known as a "green." Near the green one may stand a small white church, a town meeting hall, a tavern, and several colonial houses. [[Forest]]s, [[river]]s, [[lake]]s, [[waterfall]]s, and a [[sand]]y shoreline add to the state's beauty.
  
The first English settlers came in 1633 and settled at Windsor and then Wethersfield in 1634. However, the main body of settlers came in one large group in 1636. The settlers were [[Puritan]]s from Massachusetts, led by [[Thomas Hooker]]. Hooker had been prominent in England, and was a professor of Theology at Cambridge. He was also an important political writer, and made a significant contribution to constitutional theory. He broke with the political leadership in Massachusetts, and, just as [[Roger Williams]] had created a new polity in [[Rhode Island]], Hooker and his cohort did the same and established the [[Connecticut Colony]] at Hartford in 1636. This was the second of the three colonies.
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The state shares its northern boundary with [[Massachusetts]] is marked by the distinctive Southwick Jog/Granby Notch, an approximately 2.5-mile (4.0 km) square detour into Connecticut slightly west of the center of the border. The southwestern border of Connecticut, where it abuts New York, is marked by a panhandle in Fairfield County. This irregularity in the boundary is the result of territorial disputes in the late 1600s.<ref> ''Connecticut State Library''. Connecticut's "Panhandle".</ref>
  
Because the Dutch were outnumbered by the flood of English settlers from Massachusetts, they left their fort in 1654.
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===Climate===
 +
Connecticut has a humid continental [[climate]], with seasonal extremes tempered by its proximity to the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. [[Winter]]s are cold, and the average yearly [[snow]]fall is about 25–100 inches (64–254 cm) across the state, with higher totals in the northwest. Spring has variable temperatures with frequent [[rain]]fall. Summer is hot and humid throughout the state. Autumn months are mild. During [[hurricane]] season, tropical cyclones occasionally affect the region. [[Thunderstorm]]s are most frequent during the summer, occurring on average 30 times annually. These storms can be severe, though [[tornado]]es are rare.  
  
The third colony was founded in March of 1638. New Haven Colony, (originally known as the Quinnipiack Colony), was established by [[John Davenport]], [[Theophilus Eaton]] and others at New Haven. The New Haven Colony had its own Constitution, 'The Fundamental Agreement of the New Haven Colony' which was signed on June 4, 1639.  
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===Flora and fauna===
 +
[[Forest]]s cover about 60 percent of Connecticut, made up of [[elm]], [[ash]], [[maple]], [[beech]], [[birch]], and [[oak]] [[tree]]s. White-tailed [[deer]], [[fox]]es, [[beaver]]s, [[mink]]s, and [[squirrel]]s are among the [[mammals]] found in the state. Saltwater and freshwater [[fish]] live in the state's [[water]]s. Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary provides 3 and a half miles of beach where wildlife can be enjoyed in a recreational environment of walking, hiking and biking. Connecticut Audubon Society’s Coastal Center at Milford Point is a birdwatchers' paradise, where 315 bird species can be found.
  
Neither the establishment of the Connecticut Colony or the Quinnipiack Colony were done with the sanction of British imperial authorities, and were independent political entities. They naturally were presumptively English, but in a legal sense, they were only secessionist outposts of Massachusetts Bay. In 1662, Winthrop took advantage of this void in political affairs, and obtained in England the charter by which the colonies of Connecticut and Quinnipiack were united. Although Winthrop's charter favored the Connecticut colony, New Haven remained a seat of government with Hartford, until after the American Revolution.
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== History ==
 +
[[Image:Ctcolony.png|thumb|right|275px|A map of the Connecticut, New Haven, and Saybrook colonies.]]
 +
The name "Connecticut" originates from the [[Mohegan]] word ''quinnitukqut,'' meaning "place of long tidal river." <ref name="AboutCT">''State of Connecticut''. [http://www.ct.gov/ctportal/cwp/view.asp?a=843&q=246434 About Connecticut] Retrieved October 27, 2008.</ref> Among the hundreds of [[Native American]] tribes living in the region were the [[Mohegan]], [[Niantic]], [[Podunk]], [[Quinnipiac]], [[Pequot]], and [[Nipmuc]].
  
Winthrop was very politically astute, and secured the charter from the newly restored [[Charles II of England|Charles II]]; who granted the most liberal political terms.
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===European contact===
 +
The first [[Europe]]an in Connecticut was the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] explorer [[Adriaen Block]], who arrived in 1614. Dutch [[Fur and Game Farming|fur trade]]rs sailed up the [[Connecticut River]] and built a fort near present-day Hartford.  
  
Historically important colonial settlements included:
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The first [[England|English]] settlers came in 1633 and settled at Windsor and then Wethersfield in 1634. However, the main body of settlers came in one large group in 1636. The settlers were [[Puritan]]s from [[Massachusetts]], led by [[Thomas Hooker]]. Hooker had been prominent in England and was a professor of [[theology]] at [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]]. He was also an important political writer and made a significant contribution to constitutional theory. He broke with the political leadership in Massachusetts, and, just as [[Roger Williams (theologian)|Roger Williams]] had created a new polity in [[Rhode Island]], Hooker and his cohort did the same and established the [[Connecticut Colony]] at Hartford in 1636.
:Windsor (1633),
 
:Wethersfield (1634),
 
:Saybrook (1635),
 
:Hartford (1636),
 
:New Haven (1638),
 
:Fairfield (1639),
 
:Stratford (1639),
 
:New London (1646),
 
:Middletown (1647) 
 
  
Its first constitution, the "[[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]]," was adopted on January 14, 1639, while its [[Connecticut Constitution|current constitution]], the third for Connecticut, was adopted in 1965. Connecticut is the fifth of the original thirteen states. The original constitutions influenced the US Constitution as one of the leading authors was [[Roger Sherman]] of New Haven.
+
[[John Winthrop]], then of [[Massachusetts]], gained permission to create a new colony at Old Saybrook at the mouth of the Connecticut River in 1635. This was the second of three distinct colonies that later would be combined to make up Connecticut. Saybrook Colony was a direct challenge to Dutch claims. The colony was not more than a small outpost and never matured. In 1644, the Saybrook Colony merged itself into the Connecticut Colony. Because the Dutch were outnumbered by the flood of English settlers from Massachusetts, they abandoned their fort in 1654.
  
The western boundaries of Connecticut have been subject to change over time. According to a 1650 agreement with the [[Netherlands|Dutch]], the western boundary of Connecticut ran north from the west side of [[Greenwich Bay]] "provided the said line come not within 10 miles [16 km] of Hudson River."  On the other hand, Connecticut's original Charter in 1662 granted it all the land to the "South Sea," i.e. the Pacific Ocean. Most colonial royal grants were for long east-west strips. Connecticut took its grant seriously, and established a ninth county between the Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers, named [[Westmoreland County, Connecticut|Westmoreland County]]. This resulted in the brief [[Pennamite Wars]] with [[Pennsylvania]].
+
The third colony was founded in 1638. New Haven Colony, (originally known as the Quinnipiack Colony), had its own constitution, 'The Fundamental Agreement of the New Haven Colony' which was signed on June 4, 1639.  
Connecticut's lands also extended across northern Ohio, called the [[Western Reserve]] lands. The Western Reserve section was settled largely by people from Connecticut, and they brought Connecticut place names to Ohio. Agreements with Pennsylvania and New York extinguished the land claims by Connecticut within its neighbors, and the Western Reserve lands were relinquished to the federal government, which brought the state to its present boundaries.
+
[[Image:PostcardHartfordCTCharterOak1906.jpg|thumb|right|275px|The Charter Oak is one of the most colorful and significant symbols of Connecticut's history, said to have hid the Colonial Charter in 1687 when representatives of [[James II]] attempted to seize it. It finally fell during a great storm on August 21, 1856.]]
 +
Neither the establishment of the Connecticut Colony nor the Quinnipiack Colony were done with the sanction of British imperial authorities, and were independent political entities. They naturally were presumptively English, but in a legal sense, they were only secessionist outposts of [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]]. In 1662, Winthrop took advantage of this void in political affairs and obtained in England the charter by which the colonies of Connecticut and Quinnipiack were united. Although Winthrop's charter favored the Connecticut colony, New Haven remained a seat of government with Hartford until after the [[American Revolution]]. The politically astute Winthrop secured the charter from the newly restored [[Charles II of England|Charles II]], who granted him liberal political terms.
  
==Names and symbols==
+
Its first constitution of Connecticut, the "[[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]]," was adopted in 1639. Connecticut is the fifth of the original thirteen states. Its original constitutions influenced the [[U.S. Constitution]], as one of the leading authors was [[Roger Sherman]] of New Haven.
Connecticut's official nickname, adopted in 1959, is ''"The Constitution State,"'' based on its colonial constitution of 1638–39.<ref name=SOTS/>  Unofficially (but popularly) Connecticut is also known as ''"The [[Nutmeg]] State"''.<ref name=SOTS/>  The nutmeg connection to Connecticut may come from its sailors returning from voyages with nutmeg (which in the 18th and 19th centuries was a very valuable spice in New England). It is also said to come from [[Yankee]] peddlers from Connecticut who would sell small carved nobs of wood shaped to look like nutmeg to unsuspecting customers.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.roadescape.com/nutmeg.html | title=roadscape.com/nutmeg.html}}</ref> [[George Washington]] gave Connecticut the title of ''"The Provisions State"''<ref name=SOTS/> because of the material aid the state rendered to the [[Revolutionary War]] effort. Connecticut is also known as ''"The Land of Steady Habits"''.<ref name=SOTS/>
 
  
According to Webster's New International Dictionary, 1993, a person who is a native or resident of Connecticut is a "Connecticuter." There are numerous other terms coined in print, but not in use, such as: "Connecticotian" - [[Cotton Mather]] in 1702. "Connecticutensian" - [[Samuel Peters]] in 1781. "Nutmegger" is sometimes used,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cslib.org/nicknamesCT.htm| title=Connecticut's Nicknames| publisher=Connecticut State Library}}</ref> as is "Yankee" (the official State Song is "[[Yankee Doodle]]"), though this usually refers someone from the wider [[New England]] region.<ref>See [[Yankee]] main article.</ref> Linguist Allen Walker Read reports a more playful term, 'connecticutie.' The traditional abbreviation of the state's name is "Conn."; the official [[United States postal abbreviations|postal abbreviation]] is CT.
+
Initial good relations between the [[Native American]]s and the settlers became tense over their differing uses of the land and erupted into violence in 1637, when the colonists massacred the [[Pequot]], formerly the most powerful tribe. [[King Philip's War]] in [[Rhode Island]] and [[disease]]s brought by the Europeans nearly wiped out the remaining native peoples.
  
[[Commemorative stamp]]s issued by the [[United States Postal Service]] with Connecticut themes include [[Nathan Hale]], [[Eugene O'Neill]], [[Josiah Willard Gibbs]], [[Noah Webster]], [[Eli Whitney]], the [[whaling]] [[ship]] the [[Charles W. Morgan (ship)|Charles W. Morgan]] which is docked in [[Mystic Seaport]], and a [[decoy]] of a broadbill [[duck]].
+
The western boundaries of Connecticut have been subject to change over time. According to a 1650 agreement with the [[Netherlands|Dutch]], the western boundary of Connecticut ran north from the west side of [[Greenwich Bay]] "provided the said line come not within 10 miles [16 km] of Hudson River." On the other hand, Connecticut's original Charter granted it all the land to the "South Sea," i.e., the Pacific Ocean. Connecticut took its grant seriously, and established a county between the [[Susquehanna River|Susquehanna]] and Delaware Rivers. This resulted in the brief Pennamite Wars with [[Pennsylvania]].
  
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:CT02ZZ-4710.jpg|thumb|right|Connecticut's license plate including the state nickname]] —>
+
Connecticut's lands also extended across northern [[Ohio]], called the [[Western Reserve]] lands. The Western Reserve section was settled largely by people from Connecticut. Agreements with Pennsylvania and [[New York]] extinguished the land claims by Connecticut within its neighbors, and the Western Reserve lands were relinquished to the federal government, which brought the state to its present boundaries.
[[Image:Charter Oak in Hartford CT.jpg|thumb|right|The Charter Oak]]
 
[[Image:SS-571-Nautilus-trials.gif|thumb|right|The USS Nautilus]]
 
  
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
+
===Modern times===
|+ Connecticut state insignia and historical figures<ref name=SOTS/><sup>, except where noted</sup>
+
Before and after the [[American Civil War]], immigrants from other countries flooded into Connecticut to work in the new mills and factories that were producing [[textile]]s and [[Firearm|guns]], and later, electrical products and machines. Defense-related industries are a major part of the economy. [[Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation]] builds military helicopters, and Pratt & Whitney makes jet engines. Other companies supply [[submarine]]s, [[radar]], and other items needed by the [[military]].
|-
 
<!-- STATE "NATURAL" THINGS —>
 
|[[State tree]] || [[White Oak]]; or more specifically, the [[Charter Oak]]
 
|-
 
|[[List of U.S. state birds|State bird]] || [[American Robin]]
 
|-
 
|[[State flower]] || [[Mountain Laurel]]
 
|-
 
|[[State insect]] || [[European Mantis]]
 
|-
 
|[[State animal]] || [[Sperm Whale]]
 
|-
 
|[[State mineral]] || [[Garnet]]
 
|-
 
|[[State shellfish]] || [[Eastern Oyster]]
 
|-
 
|[[State fish]] || [[American Shad]]
 
|-
 
|[[State fossil]] || [[Eubrontes giganteus]]
 
|-
 
<!-- STATE "MADE" THINGS —>
 
|[[State ship]] || [[USS Nautilus (SSN-571)]]
 
|-
 
|State [[flagship]] and [[tall ship]] ambassador || [[Freedom Schooner Amistad]]
 
|-
 
|[[State aircraft]] || [[F4U Corsair]]
 
|-
 
|[[State tartan]] || visible [http://www.sots.ct.gov/RegisterManual/Images/TARTAN.jpg here]
 
|-
 
<!-- STATE MUSIC —>
 
|[[State song]] || [[Yankee Doodle]]
 
|-
 
|[[State folk dance]] || [[Square dance]]
 
|-
 
|[[State cantata]] || ''The Nutmeg''
 
|-
 
<!-- STATE PEOPLE, MEMORIALS—>
 
|[[State hero]] || [[Nathan Hale]]
 
|-
 
|[[State heroine]] || [[Prudence Crandall]]
 
|-
 
|[[State composer]] || [[Charles Edward Ives]]
 
|-
 
|State statues in [[National Statuary Hall Collection|Statuary Hall]] || [[Roger Sherman]] and [[Jonathan Trumbull]]<ref>See [[National Statuary Hall Collection#Collection|National Statuary Hall Collection]]</ref>
 
|-
 
<!-- STATE PEOPLE, HONORARY POSTS—>
 
|[[State poet laureate]] || [[John Hollander]]
 
|-
 
|[[Connecticut State Troubadour]] || [[Pierce Campbell]]<ref>[http://www.ct.gov/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=2162&q=293748&cctNav=%7C43587%7C Connecticut State Troubadour]; CT Commission on Culture & Tourism Arts Division website; retrieved January 4, 2007</ref>
 
|-
 
|[[State composer laureate]] || [[Jacob Druckman]]
 
|}
 
  
== Demographics ==
+
== Government and politics ==
 +
[[Image:Connecticut State Capitol, February 24, 2008.jpg|250px|right|thumb|The Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford contains many objects of historical interest, including the tombstone of the [[American Revolutionary War]] hero [[Israel Putnam]].]]
 +
[[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] has been the sole capital of Connecticut since 1875. Prior to that time, it served as co-capital with the city of New Haven.
  
[[Image:Connecticut population map.png|right|thumb|200px|Connecticut Population Density Map]]
+
===Constitutional history===
 +
Connecticut is known as the “Constitution State.”  The nickname is assumed to reference the [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]] of 1638–1639, which represent the framework for the first formal government written by a representative body in Connecticut.
  
As of 2005, Connecticut had an estimated population of 3,510,297,<ref name=stateest>{{cite web |date=June 21 2006 | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/states/tables/NST-EST2005-01.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for the United States and States, and for Puerto Rico: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005|format = [[Comma-separated values|CSV]] | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessdate =2006-11-17}}</ref> which is an increase of 11,331, or 0.3%, from the prior year and an increase of 104,695, or 3.1%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 67,427 people (that is 222,222 births minus 154,795 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 41,718 people into the state. [[Immigration to the United States|Immigration]] from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 75,991 people, and [[Human migration|migration]] within the country produced a net loss of 34,273 people.  Based on the 2005 estimates, Connecticut moves from the 29th most populous state to 30th.<ref name=stateest/>
+
After the Fundamental Orders, Connecticut was granted governmental authority by King [[Charles II of England]] through the Connecticut Charter of 1662. While these two documents acted to lay the ground work for the state’s government, both lacked essential characteristics of a [[constitution]]. The Fundamental Orders and the Connecticut Charter could both be altered simply by a majority vote of the General Assembly. Separate branches of government did not exist during this period, and the General Assembly acted as the supreme authority. A true constitution was not adopted in Connecticut until 1818. Finally, the current state constitution was implemented in 1965. The 1965 constitution absorbed a majority of its 1818 predecessor, but incorporated a handful of important modifications.
 +
Another possible source of the nickname "Constitution State" comes from Connecticut's pivotal role in the federal constitutional convention of 1787, during which [[Roger Sherman]] and [[Oliver Ellsworth]] helped to orchestrate what became known as the [[Connecticut Compromise]], or the Great Compromise. This plan combined the [[Virginia Plan]] and the [[New Jersey Plan]] to form a bicameral legislature, a form copied by almost every state constitution since the adoption of the federal Constitution.
  
6.6% of its population was reported as being under 5 years old, 24.7% under 18 years old, and 13.8% were 65 years of age or older. Females made up approximately 51.6% of the population, with 48.4% male.
+
===Executive===
 +
The governor heads the executive branch. Connecticut was the first state in the [[United States]] to elect a woman as governor without electing her husband first, [[Ella Grasso]] in 1974.
  
In 1790, 97% of the population in Connecticut were classified as "rural." The first census in which less than half the population was classified as rural was 1890. In the 2000 census, it was only 12.3%. Most of western and southern Connecticut is strongly associated with [[New York City]]; this area is the most affluent and populous region of the state. A portion of rural northeastern Connecticut is somewhat culturally influenced by Boston. This split has caused a lack of more than a few professional sport teams. ie: NHL hockey since the mid 1990s, NFL football, MLS soccer and men's basketball.
+
In addition to the governor and lieutenant governor, four other executive officers are elected directly by voters: Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, and Attorney General. All executive officers are elected to four year terms.  
  
The [[center of population]] of Connecticut is located in the town of [[Cheshire, Connecticut|Cheshire]].<ref> {{cite web| url=http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt| title=Population and Population Centers by State: 2000| publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref>
+
===Legislative===
 +
{{MetaSidebar|250px|#ffffaa|right|[[Connecticut State symbols]]|
 +
*'''[[State nickname|Nickname]]:''' The Constitution State 
 +
*'''[[State motto|Motto]]:''' Qui Transtulit Sustinet
 +
::He Who Transplanted Still Sustains
 +
*'''[[State song|Song]]:''' [[Yankee Doodle]]
 +
*'''[[State cantata|Cantata]]:''' ''The Nutmeg''
 +
*'''[[State Folkdance|Folkdance]]:'''  [[Square dance]]
 +
*'''[[State mammal|Mammal]]:''' [[Sperm Whale]]
 +
*'''[[State fish|Fish]]:''' [[American Shad]]
 +
*'''[[State shellfish|Shellfish]]:''' [[Eastern Oyster]]
 +
*'''[[List of U.S. state birds|Bird]]:''' [[American Robin]]
 +
*'''[[State flower|Flower]]:'''  [[Mountain Laurel]]
 +
*'''[[State insect|Insect]]:'''  [[European Mantis]]
 +
*'''[[State tree|Tree]]:''' [[Charter Oak]] ([[White Oak]])
 +
*'''[[State Fossil|Fossil]]:'''  [[Eubrontes giganteus]]
 +
*'''[[State Mineral|Mineral]]:''' [[Garnet]]
 +
*'''[[State ship|Ship]]:''' [[USS Nautilus (SSN-571)]]
 +
*'''[[State flagship|Flagship and tall ship ambassador]]:''' [[Freedom Schooner Amistad]]
 +
*'''[[State aircraft|Aircraft]]:''' F4U Corsair
 +
*'''[[State hero|Hero]]:''' [[Nathan Hale]]
 +
*'''[[State heroine|Heroine]]:''' [[Prudence Crandall]]
 +
*'''[[State composer|Composer]]:''' [[Charles Edward Ives]]
 +
}}
 +
The legislature is the General Assembly. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of an upper body, the State Senate (36 senators); and a lower body, the House of Representatives (151 representatives). Senators and representatives are elected to two-year terms in even-numbered years. The [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] in 2008 hold the majority in both houses of the General Assembly. At the same time, Connecticut had five representatives in the U.S. House, four of whom were Democrats.
  
=== Race, ancestry, and language ===
+
===Judicial===
{{US Demographics}}
+
The highest court of Connecticut's judicial branch is the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice. The Supreme Court is responsible for deciding on the constitutionality of the law or cases as they relate to the law. The Appellate Court is a lesser state-wide court, and the Superior Courts are lower courts that resemble county courts of other states.
  
As of 2004, 11.4% of the population (400,000) was foreign-born, and 10% of the foreign-born in the state were illegal aliens (about 1.1% of the population). In 1870, native-born Americans had accounted for 75% of the state's population, but that had dropped to 35% by 1918.
+
===Local government===
 
+
Connecticut has 169 towns, which serve as the fundamental local political subdivision of the state; the entire state is divided into towns. Connecticut shares a local form of government with the rest of [[New England]] called the New England town. There are also 21 cities, most of which are coterminous with their namesake towns and have a merged city-town government. There are also nine incorporated boroughs, which may provide additional services to a section of town.<ref>''Connecticut State Library''. Connecticut's Boroughs and Cities.</ref>
As of 2000, 81.69% of Connecticut residents age 5 and older spoke [[English language|English]] at home and 8.42% spoke [[Spanish language|Spanish]], followed by [[Italian language|Italian]] at 1.59%, [[French language|French]] at 1.31% and [[Polish language|Polish]] at 1.20%.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=9&mode=state_tops&order=r| title = Most spoken languages in Connecticut| accessdate = 2007-01-16| work = MLA Language Map| publisher = The Modern Language Association}}</ref>
 
 
 
The five largest reported ancestries in the state are: [[Italian-American|Italian]] (18.6%), [[Ireland|Irish]] (16.6%), [[British-American|English]] (10.3%), [[German-American|German]] (9.9%), and [[French American|French/French Canadian]] (9.9%).
 
 
 
Connecticut has large [[Italian-American]] and [[Irish-American]] populations, as well as German and [[Portuguese-American]], second highest percentage of any state behind Rhode Island (19.3%). [[Italian people|Italian]] is the largest ancestry group in five of the state's counties, while the [[Irish people|Irish]] are the largest group in Tolland county, [[French-Canadians]] the largest group in Windham county, and old stock [[Yankee|New England Yankees]] are present throughout. . [[African American|Blacks]] and [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanics]] (mostly [[Puerto Ricans in the United States|Puerto Ricans]]) are numerous in the urban areas of the state. Connecticut also has a sizable [[Polish American]] population, with [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]] containing the largest Polish-American population in the state.
 
 
 
More recent immigrant populations include those from [[Laos]], [[Vietnam]], [[Thailand]], [[Indonesia]], [[Mexico]], [[Brazil]], [[Guatemala]], [[Panama]], and former [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] countries.
 
  
=== Religion ===
+
Unlike most other states, Connecticut does not have a system of [[county]] governments; most were eliminated in 1960. The state is instead divided into 15 planning regions defined by the state Office of Planning and Management. <ref name="OPM">''State of Connecticut''. [http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2985&q=383124 Regional Planning Coordination] Retrieved October 27, 2008.</ref> Each region has an administrative body known as either a regional council of governments, a regional council of elected officials, or a regional planning agency. The regions are established for the purpose of planning "coordination of regional and state planning activities; designation or redesignation of logical planning regions and promotion of the continuation of regional planning organizations within the state; and provision for technical aid and the administration of financial assistance to regional planning organizations."<ref name="OPM"/>
A 2001 survey of Connecticut residents' religious self-identification showed the following distribution of affiliations:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gc.cuny.edu/faculty/research_briefs/aris/key_findings.htm |title=American Religious Identification Survey, Key Findings, Exhibit 15 |accessdate=2007-01-04 |author=Mayer, Egon |coauthors=Kosmin, Barry A., Keysar, Ariela |year=2001 |publisher= [[City University of New York]]}}</ref>
 
  
*[[Roman Catholicism in the United States|Roman Catholic]] – 32%
+
===Politics===
*[[Baptist]] – 10%
+
Connecticut allotted its electoral votes exclusively to Democratic candidates since the 1990s, but to Republican presidential candidates five times in the 1970s and 1980s. There are a large number of voters who are not registered with a major party. As of 2004, 33.7 percent of registered voters were registered Democratic, 22.0 percent were registered Republican, and 44.0 percent were unaffiliated with any party.<ref>''Connecticut Office of the Secretary of State.'' Party Enrollment in Connecticut.</ref> Voters in the state tend to be more supportive of fiscal conservatives and may be considered to be generally [[Social liberalism|socially liberal]].
*[[Episcopal Church in the United States of America|Episcopal]] – 6%
 
*[[Methodism|Methodist]] – 4%
 
*[[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] – 4%
 
*[[Congregational church|Congregational]]/[[United Church of Christ]] – 2%
 
*[[Presbyterian]] – 1%
 
*[[Pentecostal]] – 1%
 
*Other Protestant or general [[Protestant]] – 4%
 
*[[Mormonism|Latter-Day Saint]] – 2%
 
*[[Church of Christ]] – 2%
 
*[[Assembly of God]] – 1%
 
*Non-denominational – 1%
 
*Other Christian – 7%
 
*[[Judaism|Jewish]] – 1%
 
*[[Islam in the United States|Muslim]] – 1%
 
*Other Religions – 4%
 
*Non-Religious – 12%
 
*No answer – 6%
 
  
There is a significant [[Jewish American|Jewish]] population in the state, concentrated in the towns near Long Island Sound between [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]] and [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]], in [[Greater New Haven]] and in [[Greater Hartford]], especially the suburb of [[West Hartford, Connecticut|West Hartford]].
+
Democrats hold veto-proof majorities in both houses of the state legislature. In 2006, Republicans were reduced from three out of five to one out of five congressional seats. Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., who served in the U.S. Senate from 1971 to 1989, was the last Connecticut Republican to serve as senator. He was known as a liberal Republican who broke with then-President [[Richard Nixon]] during [[Watergate Scandal|Watergate]] and successfully ran for governor in 1990 as an independent. Before Weicker, the last [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] to represent Connecticut in the Senate was [[Prescott Bush]], the father of former President [[George H. W. Bush]] and the grandfather of President [[George W. Bush]]. He served from 1953 to 1963.
  
Recent [[immigration]] has brought other non-Christian religions to the state, but the numbers of adherents of other religions are still low.
+
Connecticut politics were tarnished by corruption in the late 1990s and early years of the twenty-first century. The list includes several mayors, state legislators, and government employees who have been found, or plead, guilty to a string of crimes ranging from [[bribery]] to [[racketeering]].<ref>Mike Pesca. November 9, 2007.
 +
[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16143497 Connecticut Politics Tarnished by Corruption] ''NPR''. Retrieved October 27, 2008.</ref>
  
 
== Economy ==
 
== Economy ==
 +
[[Image:Connecticut quarter, reverse side, 1999.jpg|150px|thumb|The famous Charter Oak adorns Connecticut's state quarter.]]
 +
The total gross state product for 2004 was $187 billion. The per capita income for 2005 was $47,819, ranking first among the states.<ref> ''Bureau of Economic Analysis''. [http://www.bea.gov/bea/newsrel/spi_highlights.pdf Per Capita Income Growth in 2005] Retrieved October 27, 2008.</ref> There is, however, a great disparity in incomes through the state; although New Canaan has one of the highest per capita incomes in America, Hartford is one of the ten cities with the lowest per capita incomes in the country. The low number may partially be due to the fact that the city, like other cities in the area, has a small footprint relative to a typical American city (only about 18 square miles) and therefore does not have more middle-income areas included in its total to "balance out," statistically, inner areas with older housing stock and a poorer population.
  
[[Image:Connecticut quarter, reverse side, 1999.jpg|50px|left]]
+
Should Hartford (or similar cities New Haven and Bridgeport) be combined with its immediate suburbs, it would rank as one of the richest cities in the country. Fairfield County has become a bedroom community for higher-paid [[New York City]] workers seeking a less urban lifestyle. This in turn has attracted businesses wishing to remain near New York City to southwestern Connecticut, most notably to Stamford.  
The total [[gross state product]] for 2004 was $187 billion. The [[per capita income]] for 2005 was $47,819, ranking first among the states.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bea.gov/bea/newsrel/spi_highlights.pdf|title=Per Capita Income Growth in 2005| publisher=Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Dept. of Commerce |date=2006-09-26 |format=PDF}}</ref> There is, however, a great disparity in incomes through the state; although New Canaan has one of the highest per capita incomes in America, Hartford is one of the ten cities with the [[Connecticut locations by per capita income|lowest per capita incomes]] in America (The low number may partially be due to the fact that the city, like other cities in the area, has a small footprint relative to a typical American city (only about 18 square miles) and therefore does not have more middle-income areas included in its total to "balance out," statistically, inner areas with older housing stock and a poorer population).{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Should Hartford (or similar cities New Haven and Bridgeport) be combined with its immediate suburbs, it would rank as one of the richest cities in the country. Fairfield County has become a [[bedroom community]] for higher-paid [[New York City]] workers seeking a less urban lifestyle. This in turn has attracted businesses wishing to remain near New York City to southwestern Connecticut, most notably to [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]]. {{Fact|date=December 2006}}
 
  
[[New Canaan, Connecticut|New Canaan]] is the [[Connecticut locations by per capita income|wealthiest town in Connecticut]], with a per capita income of $85,459. [[Darien, Connecticut|Darien]], [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], [[Weston, Connecticut|Weston]], [[Woodbridge, Connecticut|Woodbridge]], [[Westport, Connecticut|Westport]] and [[Wilton, Connecticut|Wilton]] also have per capita incomes over $65,000. [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] is the poorest city in Connecticut, with a per capita income of $13,428 (although see above).{{Fact|date=February 2007}} There are other lower-income and blue-collar towns, mostly parts of towns, in the eastern part of the State. Poor and medium wealth households are particularly affected by a very high cost of living, due to a combination of expensive real estate, expensive heating for the winters, and other factors.{{Fact|date=December 2006}}
+
New Canaan is the wealthiest town in Connecticut, with a per capita income of $85,459. Hartford is the poorest city in Connecticut, with a per capita income of $13,428. There are other lower-income and blue-collar towns, mostly parts of towns, in the eastern part of the state. Poor and medium wealth households are particularly affected by a very high cost of living, due to a combination of expensive real estate, expensive heating for the winters, and other factors.
  
 
===Taxation===
 
===Taxation===
Prior to 1991, Connecticut had a highly populist [[income tax]] system. Income from employment was untaxed, but income from investments was taxed at the highest rate in the United States: 13%. And this burden was further increased by the method of calculation: no deductions were allowed for the cost (for example, interest on borrowing) of producing the investment income. Under Governor [[Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.]], an Independent, this was reformed to the present system.  
+
[[Image:Bridgeportindustry.JPG|thumb|250px|right|A portion of the harbor in Bridgeport.]]
 +
Prior to 1991, Connecticut had a highly populist [[income tax]] system. Income from employment was untaxed, but income from investments was taxed at the highest rate in the United States: 13 percent. This burden was further increased by the method of calculation: no deductions were allowed for the cost (for example, interest on borrowing) of producing the investment income. Under Governor Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., an Independent, this was reformed to the present system.  
  
This system prior to 1991 made it an attractive haven for high-salaried earners fleeing the heavy taxes of [[New York State]], but highly unattractive for members of Wall Street partnerships. It put an enormous burden on Connecticut [[property tax]] payers, particularly in the cities with their more extensive [[municipal services]]. As a result, the [[middle class]] largely fled the urban areas for the [[suburb]]s, taking stores and other tax-paying businesses with them, leaving mostly the urban poor in the older, central areas of Connecticut cities.{{Fact|date=December 2006}}
+
This system prior to 1991 made it an attractive haven for high-salaried earners fleeing the heavy taxes of [[New York|New York State]], but highly unattractive for members of [[Wall Street]] partnerships. It put an enormous burden on Connecticut [[property tax]] payers, particularly in the cities with their more extensive municipal services. As a result, the middle class largely fled the urban areas for the [[suburb]]s, taking stores and other tax-paying businesses with them, leaving mostly the urban poor in the older, central areas of Connecticut cities.
  
With Weicker's 1991 tax reform, the tax on employment and investment income was equalized at a then-maximum of 4%. Since then, Greenwich, Connecticut, has become the headquarters of choice for a large number of America's largest [[hedge fund]]s, and Connecticut income from that industry has soared. Today the income tax rate on Connecticut individuals is divided into two tax brackets of 3% and 5%.<ref name=inctax>[http://www.ct.gov/drs/lib/drs/forms/2006forms/income/ct-1040booklet.pdf Connecticut income tax instructions]</ref> All [[wage]]s of a Connecticut resident are subject to the state's income tax, even when the resident works outside of the state. However, in those cases, Connecticut income tax must be withheld only to the extent the Connecticut tax exceeds the amount withheld by the other jurisdiction.  Since New York state has higher tax rates than Connecticut, this effectively means that Connecticut residents that work in New York state pay no income tax to Connecticut.
+
With Weicker's 1991 tax reform, the tax on employment and investment income was equalized at a then-maximum of 4 percent. Since then, the city of Greenwich has become the headquarters of choice for a large number of America's largest [[hedge fund]]s, and Connecticut income from that industry has soared. In the early years of the twenty-first century, the income tax rate on Connecticut individuals was divided into two tax brackets of 3 percent and 5 percent.
 
 
Connecticut levies a 6% state [[sales tax]] on the retail sale, lease, or rental of most goods. Some items and services in general are not subject to sales and use taxes unless specifically enumerated as taxable by [[statute]]. There are no additional sales taxes imposed by local jurisdictions. During the summer there is one week of duty free buying to spur retail sales.
 
 
 
All real and personal property located within the state of Connecticut is taxable unless specifically exempted by statute. All assessments are at 70% of [[fair market value]]. Another 20% of the value may be taxed by the local government though. The maximum property tax credit is $500 per return and any excess may not be refunded or carried forward.<ref name=inctax/> Connecticut does not levy an intangible personal [[property tax]].
 
  
 
===Real estate===
 
===Real estate===
Homes in southwestern Connecticut on the fringes of the [[New York City]] metropolitan area are quite expensive. Many towns have median home prices over $500,000, with some more desirable homes exceeding $1 million. Greenwich has the most expensive real estate market, with most houses selling at over $1 million and most condos selling at over $600,000. Connecticut has the most million-dollar homes in the northeast, and the second most in the nation after California, with 3.3% of homes in Connecticut priced over one million dollars in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/22/real_estate/february_million_dollar_homes/index.htm?section=money_topstories| title=Million Dollar Homes|last=Christie|first=Les| publisher=[[CNN]].com| date=23 February 2006| accessdate=2007-01-23}}</ref> In 2007, the median price for a house in Connecticut passed $300,000 for the first time, even though most of the country was mired in a real estate slump.<ref>[http://news.uconn.edu/archive/archive_in_the_news_0807.php UConn in the News: August 2007]</ref>
+
Homes in southwestern Connecticut on the fringes of the [[New York City]] metropolitan area are relatively expensive. Many towns have median home prices over $500,000, with some more desirable homes exceeding $1 million. Greenwich has the most expensive real estate market, with most houses selling at over $1 million and most condos selling at over $600,000. Connecticut has the most million-dollar homes in the Northeast, and the second most in the nation after California, with 3.3 percent of homes in Connecticut priced over one million dollars in 2003.<ref>Les Christie. February 23, 2006. [http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/22/real_estate/february_million_dollar_homes/index.htm?section=money_topstories Million dollar homes] ''CNN.com''. Retrieved October 27, 2008.</ref> In 2007, the median price for a house in Connecticut passed $300,000 for the first time, even though most of the country was mired in a real estate slump.
  
 
===Industries===
 
===Industries===
The agricultural output for the state is [[Nursery (horticulture)|nursery stock]], [[egg (food)|eggs]], [[dairy product]]s, [[cattle]], and [[tobacco#shade tobacco|tobacco]]. Its industrial outputs are [[transport]]ation equipment (especially [[helicopter]]s, [[aircraft]] parts, and [[nuclear submarine]]s), heavy industrial machinery and electrical equipment, military weaponry and fabricated metal products, [[chemical]] and [[pharmaceutical]] products, and [[Measuring instrument|scientific instrument]]s.
+
[[Image:Map of Connecticut NA cropped.png|250px|right|thumb|Map of Connecticut showing major highways]]
 +
The [[insurance]] industry is one of the biggest employers in Hartford. More than a hundred insurance companies are based in the state.
  
[[Image:IMG 1175 (2) ....jpg|thumb|right|200px|Downtown Hartford's [[Central Business District]].]]
+
The [[agriculture|agricultural]] output for the state is [[Nursery (horticulture)|nursery stock]], [[egg (food)|eggs]], [[dairy product]]s, [[cattle]], and [[tobacco]]. Commercial [[fishing]] is also a big industry. Connecticut is one of the country's top producers of [[oyster]]s, but [[lobster]], [[flounder]], [[shad]], and other [[fish]] are also caught.
Due to the prominence of the aircraft industry in the state, Connecticut has an official state aircraft, the [[F4U Corsair]], and an official Connecticut Aviation Pioneer, [[Igor Sikorsky]]. The state officially recognizes aircraft designer [[Gustav Whitehead]] as "Father of Connecticut Aviation" for his research into powered flight in [[Bridgeport, Connecticut]] in 1901, two years before the [[Wright brothers]] at [[Kitty Hawk, North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite journal | last = O'Dwyer | first = Maj. William J. | title = The "Who Flew First" Debate | journal = Flight Journal | publisher = Air Age Media | date = October 1998 | url =http://www.flightjournal.com/articles/wff/wff2.asp | accessdate = 2007-01-23 }}</ref> Governor John Dempsey also declared August 15 to be "Gustave Whitehead Day."<ref>{{cite journal | last = Delear | first = Frank | title = Gustave Whitehead and the First-Flight Controversy | journal = Aviation History | date = March 1996 | url =http://www.historynet.com/air_sea/aviation_history/3032816.html?page=7&c=y | accessdate = 2007-01-23 }}</ref>
 
<!-- A list of large companies might be appropriate here —>
 
  
A report issued by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism on December 7, 2006 demonstrated that the economic impact of the arts, film, history and tourism generated more than $14 billion in economic activity and 170,000 jobs annually.  This provides $9 billion in personal income for Connecticut residents and $1.7 billion in state and local revenue.<ref>[http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/lib/cct/Econ_Summary_Web2_%282%29.pdf The Economic Impact of the Arts, Film, History, and Tourism Industries in Connecticut (Highlights)] Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism</ref>
+
Its industrial outputs are [[transport]]ation equipment (especially [[helicopter]]s, [[aircraft]] parts, and [[nuclear submarine]]s), heavy industrial machinery and electrical equipment, military weaponry and fabricated metal products, [[chemical]] and [[pharmaceutical]] products, and [[Measuring instrument|scientific instrument]]s.
  
==Transportation==
+
A report issued by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism in 2006 demonstrated that the economic impact of the [[arts]], [[film]], [[history]], and [[tourism]] generated more than $14 billion in economic activity and 170,000 jobs annually.<ref>''Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism''. [http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/lib/cct/Econ_Summary_Web2_%282%29.pdf Culture and Tourism] Retrieved October 27, 2008.</ref>
[[Image:Map of Connecticut NA cropped.png|300px|right|thumb|Map of Connecticut showing major highways]]
 
  
===Roads===
+
===Transportation===
[[Glacier]]s carved valleys in Connecticut running north to south; as a result, many more roadways in the state run north to south than do east to west, mimicking the previous use of the many north-south rivers as transportation.{{Fact|date=December 2006}} The [[Interstate highway]]s in the state are [[Interstate 95 in Connecticut|I-95]] (the [[Connecticut Turnpike]]) running southwest to northeast along the coast, [[Interstate 84 (east)|I-84]] running southwest to northeast in the center of the state, [[I-91]] running north to south in the center of the state, and [[Interstate 395 (Connecticut)|I-395]] running north to south near the eastern border of the state. The other major highways in Connecticut are the [[Merritt Parkway]] and [[Wilbur Cross Parkway]], which together form [[Route 15 (Connecticut)|State Route 15]], running from the [[Hutchinson River Parkway]] in [[New York State]] parallel to I-95 before turning north of [[New Haven]] and running parallel to I-91, finally becoming a surface road in [[Berlin, Connecticut]]. Route 15 and I-95 were originally [[toll road]]s; they relied on a system of [[toll plaza]]s at which all traffic stopped and paid fixed tolls. A series of terrible crashes at these plazas eventually contributed to the decision to remove the tolls in 1988.<ref>[http://www.nycroads.com/roads/ct-turnpike/ Connecticut Turnpike (I-95)] nycroads.com</ref> Other major arteries in the state include [[U.S. Route 7]] in the west running parallel to the NY border, [[Route 8 (Connecticut)|State Route 8]] farther west near the industrial city of Waterbury and running north-south along the Naugatuck River Valley nearly parallel with U.S. 7, and [[Route 9 (Connecticut)|State Route 9]] in the east. See [[List of State Routes in Connecticut]] for an overview of the state's highway system.
+
Between New Haven and the New York City, I-95 is one of the most congested highways in the [[United States]]. Since many Connecticut residents commute to [[New York City]], there is an extensive [[commuter rail]]way network connecting New York City to New Haven, with spurs servicing Waterbury, Danbury, and New Canaan. Regional [[railway|rail]] service is provided by [[Amtrak]].
  
Between New Haven and the New York City, I-95 is one of the most congested highways in the United States. Many people now drive longer distances to work in the New York City area. This strains the three lanes of traffic capacity, resulting in lengthy [[rush hour]] delays. Frequently, the congestion spills over to clog the parallel Merritt Parkway. The state has encouraged traffic reduction schemes, including rail use and [[ride-sharing]].<ref>[http://www.ctrides.com/ ctrides.com]</ref>
+
==Education==
 +
With such a diverse population, Connecticut is introducing programs in the [[public school]]s to best meet the needs of its varied student body.
  
===Public transportation===
+
Approximately 80 percent of the state's high school graduates attend [[college]]. The institutions of higher learning include [[Yale University]], the [[U.S. Coast Guard Academy]], the [[University of Connecticut]], and the [[University of Bridgeport]].
====Rail====
 
Since many Connecticut residents commute to [[New York City]], there is an extensive [[commuter rail]]way network connecting New York City to [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]] on [[Metro North Railroad]] (a commuter railroad based in New York and operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority) with spurs servicing Waterbury, Danbury, and New Canaan. Rail service does not end with New Haven, however. Connecticut is in the heart of Amtrak's [[Northeast Corridor]] and the Amtrak Regional line makes stops in New Haven-State Street, Old Saybrook, New London, and Mystic. Smaller town stops between New Haven and New London are served by [[Shore Line East]], which takes commuters to those stations to catch a main train. These commuter services are heavily utilized during weekday rush hours. Regional rail service is provided by [[Amtrak]], which makes regular stops in Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford, as well as in Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Windsor, and Windsor Locks. There are plans to operate commuter trains from New Haven to Springfield on Amtrak's [[New Haven-Springfield Line]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Stephanie |last=Reitz |title=Conn. looks into building rail line from Springfield to New Haven |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/07/30/conn_looks_into_building_rail_line_from_springfield_to_new_haven/ |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |publisher=[[The New York Times Company]] |date=2006-07-30 |accessdate=2007-01-29}}</ref>
 
  
====Bus====
+
== Demographics ==
Statewide [[bus]] service is supplied by [[Connecticut Transit]], owned by the [[Connecticut Department of Transportation]], with smaller municipal authorities providing local service. Bus networks are an important part of the transportation system in Connecticut, especially in urban areas like Hartford, Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport and New Haven. A three-year construction project to build a busway from New Britain to Hartford will begin in August 2009.<ref>{{cite press release |title=New Britain-to-Hartford ‘Busway’ Receives Final Federal Design Approval |publisher=State of Connecticut |date=2006-10-31 |url=http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?Q=326626&A=2425 |accessdate=2007-01-29}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ctrapidtransit.com/ct_schedule.asp New Britain-Hartford Rapid Transit Project Schedule]</ref>
+
[[Image:Connecticut population map.png|right|thumb|200px|Connecticut Population Density Map]]
  
====Air====
+
As of 2005, Connecticut had an estimated population of 3,510,297,<ref name=stateest>''U.S. Census Bureau'' national and state population estimates.</ref> which is an increase of 11,331, or 0.3 percent, from the prior year and an increase of 104,695, or 3.1 percent, since the year 2000. Based on the 2005 estimates, Connecticut moves from the 29th most populous state to 30th.  
[[Bradley International Airport]], which became truly 'International' in the summer of 2007 beginning service to Europe, is located in [[Windsor Locks]], 15 miles (24 km) north of [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]. Regional air service is provided at [[Tweed-New Haven Airport]]. Larger civil airports include [[Danbury Municipal Airport]] and [[Waterbury-Oxford Airport]] in western Connecticut. The [[Westchester County Airport]] in [[Harrison, New York]] serves part of southwestern Connecticut.
 
  
== Law and government ==
+
In 1790, 97 percent of the population in Connecticut were classified as "rural." The first census in which less than half the population was classified as rural was 1890. In the 2000 census, it was only 12.3 percent. Most of western and southern Connecticut is strongly associated with [[New York City]]; this area is the most affluent and populous region of the state. A portion of rural northeastern Connecticut is somewhat culturally influenced by [[Boston]].
{{seealso|Administrative divisions of Connecticut}}
 
[[Image:Dscn3088 connecticut capitol.jpg|250px|right|thumb|The Connecticut State Capitol in downtown Hartford]]
 
[[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] has been the sole capital of Connecticut since 1875. Before then, [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]] and Hartford alternated as capitals.<ref name="AboutCT"/>
 
===Constitutional History===
 
Connecticut is known as the “Constitution State.”  While the origin on this title is uncertain, the nickname is assumed to reference the [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]] of 1638–39.  These Fundamental Orders represent the framework for the first formal [[government]] written by a representative body in Connecticut.  The government has operated under the direction of four separate documents in the course of [[Connecticut Constitutional History]]. After the Fundamental Orders, Connecticut was granted governmental authority by King [[Charles II of England]] through the Connecticut Charter of 1662. While these two documents acted to lay the ground work for the state’s government, both lacked essential characteristics of a [[constitution]].  The Fundamental Orders and the Connecticut Charter could both be altered simply by a majority vote of the [[Connecticut General Assembly|General Assembly]].  Separate branches of government did not exist during this period, and the General Assembly acted as the supreme authority. A true constitution was not adopted in Connecticut until 1818.  Finally, the current state constitution was implemented in 1965.  The 1965 constitution absorbed a majority of its 1818 predecessor, but incorporated a handful of important modifications.
 
Another possible source of the nickname "constitution state" comes from Connecticut's pivotal role in the federal constitutional convention of 1787, during which Roger Sherman and [[Oliver Ellsworth]] helped to orchestrate what became known as the [[Connecticut Compromise]], or the Great Compromise.  This plan combined the [[Virginia Plan]] and the [[New Jersey Plan]] to form a bicameral legislature, a form copied by almost every state constitution since the adoption of the federal constitution.
 
  
===Executive===
+
=== Race, ancestry, and language ===
The governor heads the executive branch. The current [[List of Governors of Connecticut|Governor of Connecticut]] is [[M. Jodi Rell]] (Republican). The current  [[List of Lieutenant Governors of Connecticut|Lieutenant Governor]] is [[Michael Fedele]]. From 1639 until the adoption of the 1818 constitution, the governor presided over the General Assembly. Connecticut was the first state in the United States to elect a woman as governor without electing her husband first, [[Ella Grasso]] in 1974.
 
  
There are several executive departments: Administrative Services, Agriculture, Banking, Children and Families, Consumer Protection, Correction, Economic and Community Development, Developmental Services, Education, Environmental Protection, Higher Education, Information Technology, Insurance, Labor, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Military, Motor Vehicles, Public Health, Public Safety, Public Utility Control, Public Works, Revenue Services, Social Services, Transportation, Veterans Affairs. In addition to these departments, there are other independent bureaus, offices and commissions.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.ct.gov/ctportal/cwp/view.asp?a=843&q=246450| title=Connecticut's Executive Branch of Government| publisher=ct.gov}}</ref>
+
As of 2004, 11.4 percent of the population (400,000) was foreign-born, and 10 percent of the foreign-born in the state were [[illegal alien]]s (about 1.1 percent of the population). In 1870, native-born Americans had accounted for 75 percent of the state's population, but that had dropped to 35 percent by 1918.
  
In addition to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, there are four other executive officers named in the state constitution that are elected directly by voters: Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller and Attorney General. All executive officers are elected to four year terms.<ref name="AboutCT"/>
+
As of 2000, 81.69 percent of Connecticut residents age 5 and older spoke [[English language|English]] at home and 8.42 percent spoke [[Spanish language|Spanish]], followed by [[Italian language|Italian]], [[French language|French]], and [[Polish language|Polish]].<ref>''The Modern Language Association''. [http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=9&mode=state_tops&order=r Most spoken languages in Connecticut] Retrieved October 27, 2008.</ref>
  
===Legislative===
+
The five largest reported ancestries in the state are: Italian (18.6  percent), Irish (16.6 percent), English (10.3 percent), German (9.9 percent), and French/French Canadian (9.9 percent).
The [[legislature]] is the [[Connecticut General Assembly|General Assembly]]. The General Assembly is a [[bicameral]] body consisting of an upper body, the [[Connecticut Senate|State Senate]] (36 senators); and a lower body, the [[Connecticut House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] (151 representatives).<ref name="AboutCT"/> Bills must pass each house in order to become law.  The governor can veto the bill, but this veto can be overridden by a two-thirds majority in each house. Senators and representatives, all of whom must be at least eighteen years of age, are elected to two-year terms in November on even-numbered years. The Lieutenant Governor presides over the senate, except when absent from the chamber, when the [[List of Presidents Pro Tempore of Connecticut|President Pro Tempore]] presides. The [[List of Speakers of the House of Connecticut|Speaker of the House]] presides over the House; [[James A. Amann]] is the current Speaker of the House of Connecticut. The [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] currently hold the majority in both houses of the General Assembly.
 
  
Connecticut's U.S. senators are [[Christopher J. Dodd]] (Democrat) and [[Joseph I. Lieberman]] ([[Connecticut for Lieberman]], [[Independent Democrat]]) who is part of the Democratic Caucus. Connecticut currently has five [[U.S. Congressional Delegations from Connecticut|representatives in the U.S. House]], four of whom are Democrats.
+
Connecticut has large [[Italian-American]] and [[Irish-American]] populations, as well as German and Portuguese-American, second highest percentage of any state behind [[Rhode Island]] (19.3 percent). [[African American]]s and [[Hispanic]]s (mostly [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Ricans]]) are numerous in the urban areas of the state. Connecticut also has a sizable Polish American population.
  
===Judicial===
+
More recent immigrant populations include those from [[Laos]], [[Vietnam]], [[Thailand]], [[Indonesia]], [[Mexico]], [[Brazil]], [[Guatemala]], [[Panama]], and former [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] countries.
The highest [[court]] of Connecticut's judicial branch is the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of Connecticut. The Supreme Court is responsible for deciding on the constitutionality of the law or cases as they relate to the law. Its proceedings are similar to those of the United States Supreme Court, with no testimony given by witnesses, and the lawyers of the two sides each present oral arguments no longer than thirty minutes. Following a court proceeding, the court may take several months to arrive at a judgment. The current [[List of Chief Justices of Connecticut|Chief Justice]] is [[Chase T. Rogers]].  
 
  
Before 1818 the highest court in Connecticut was the General Assembly, and later, the Upper House, with the Governor having the title "Chief Judge".{{Fact|date=February 2007}} In 1818, the court became a separate entity, independent of the legislative and executive branches.<ref>[http://www.jud.state.ct.us/ystday/history.html History of the Connecticut Courts]. Last retrieved 2007-02-20.</ref> The Appellate Court is a lesser state-wide court and the Superior Courts are lower courts that resemble county courts of other states.
+
=== Religion ===
 
+
A 2001 survey of Connecticut residents' [[Religion|religious]] self-identification showed the following distribution of affiliations:<ref>''City University of New York''. [http://www.gc.cuny.edu/faculty/research_briefs/aris/key_findings.htm American Religious Identification Survey] Retrieved October 27, 2008.</ref>
===Local government===
 
{{seealso| Administrative divisions of Connecticut}} and several lists: [[List of municipalities of Connecticut by population]], [[List of towns in Connecticut]], [[List of cities in Connecticut]], [[Borough (Connecticut)]], [[List of counties in Connecticut]]
 
Connecticut has 169 [[New England town|towns]],  which serve as the fundamental local political subdivision of the state; the entire state is divided into towns.<ref name="AboutCT"/> Connecticut shares a local form of government with the rest of [[New England]] called the New England town.  There are also 21 cities,<ref name="AboutCT"/> most of which are coterminous with their namesake towns and have a merged city-town government. There are two exceptions: [[Groton (city), Connecticut|City of Groton]], which is a subsection of the [[Groton (town), Connecticut|Town of Groton]] and the City of [[Winsted, Connecticut|Winsted]] in the Town of [[Winchester, Connecticut|Winchester]]. There are also nine incorporated [[borough]]s which may provide additional services to a section of town.<ref name="AboutCT"/><ref>[http://www.cslib.org/boroughcity.htm Connecticut's Boroughs and Cities]. Connecticut State Library. Accessed 20 January 2007.</ref> One, [[Naugatuck]], is a consolidated town and borough.
 
 
 
Unlike most other states, Connecticut does not have [[county]] government. Connecticut county governments were mostly eliminated in 1960, with the exception of the [[sheriff]] system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sots.ct.gov/RegisterManual/SectionVI/SecVICounty.htm |title= Connecticut State Register and Manual: Counties |accessdate=2006-11-07}}</ref> In 2000, the county sheriff was abolished and replaced with the [[Connecticut State Marshal|state marshal]] system, which has districts that follow the old county territories. The judicial system is divided, at the trial court level, into judicial districts.<ref> [http://www.jud.ct.gov/directory/directory/location/Default.htm State of Connecticut Judicial Branch]</ref> The [[list of Connecticut counties|eight counties]] are still widely used for purely geographical and statistical purposes, such as [[Weather forecasting|weather report]]s, and census reporting.
 
 
 
The state is divided into 15 [[Administrative divisions of Connecticut#Regions|planning regions]] defined by the state Office of Planning and Management.<ref name="OPM">[http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2985&q=383124 Regional Planning Coordination at the CT Office of Planning and Management]</ref> The Intragovernmental Policy Division of this Office coordinates regional planning with the administrative bodies of these regions. Each region has an administrative body known as either a regional council of governments, a regional council of elected officials, or a regional planning agency. The regions are established for the purpose of planning "coordination of regional and state planning activities; designation or redesignation of logical planning regions and promotion of the continuation of regional planning organizations within the state; and provision for technical aid and the administration of financial assistance to regional planning organizations."<ref name="OPM"/>
 
 
 
==Politics==
 
{| align="right" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="4" style="margin: 2em 2em 2em 2em; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
 
|+ '''Presidential elections results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/compare.php?year=2004&fips=9&f=0&off=0&elect=0&type=state|title = Presidential General Election Results Comparison - Connecticut|publisher=Dave Leip's Atlas of United States Presidential Elections|year=2005|accessdate=2007-01-20}}</ref>
 
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
 
! Year
 
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
 
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
 
|-
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004]]
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|43.95% ''693,826
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''54.31%''' ''857,488
 
|-
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2000|2000]]
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|38.44% ''561,094
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''55.91%''' ''816,015
 
|-
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1996|1996]]
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|34.69% ''483,109
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''52.83%''' ''735,740
 
|-
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1992|1992]]
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|35.78% ''578,313
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''42.21%''' ''682,318
 
|-
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1988|1988]]
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''51.98%''' ''750,241
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|46.87% ''676,584
 
|-
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1984|1984]]
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''60.73%''' ''890,877
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|38.83% ''569,597
 
|-
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1980|1980]]
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''48.16%''' ''677,210
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|38.52% ''541,732
 
|-
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1976|1976]]
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''52.06%''' ''719,261
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|46.90% ''647,895
 
|-
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1972|1972]]
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''58.57%''' ''810,763
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|40.13% ''555,498
 
|-
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1968|1968]]
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|44.32% ''556,721
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''49.48%''' ''621,561
 
|-
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1964|1964]]
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|32.09% ''390,996
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''67.81%''' ''826,269
 
|-
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1960|1960]]
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|46.27% ''565,813
 
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''53.73%''' ''657,055
 
|}
 
 
 
Connecticut is a generally left-leaning state, allotting its electoral votes to Democratic candidates in the past four presidential elections but to Republican presidential candidates five times in the 1970s and 1980s. Connecticut has a high number of voters who are not registered with a major party. As of 2004, 33.7% of registered voters were registered Democratic, 22.0% were registered Republican, and 44.0% were unaffiliated with any party, with 0.2% registered with a minor party<!-- editor's note: figures do not add up to 100% due to rounding errors —>.<ref>[http://www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/election_results/statistics/enrolhst.pdf Party Enrollment in Connecticut]. Connecticut Office of the Secretary of State. Last retrieved 2007-02-22.</ref> Voters in the state are more supportive of [[fiscal conservatives]] and may be considered to be generally [[Social liberalism|socially liberal]].
 
 
 
Many Connecticut towns show a marked preference for moderate candidates of either party. Democrats hold a registration edge especially in the cities of [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]; [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]]; and [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]], where Democratic machines have held power since the great immigration waves of the 1800s. The state's Republican-leaning areas are the rural [[Litchfield County, Connecticut|Litchfield County]] and adjoining towns in the west of [[Hartford County, Connecticut|Hartford County]], the industrial towns of the [[Naugatuck River Valley]], and some of the affluent [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield County]] towns near the [[New York]] border. The suburban towns of [[New Canaan, Connecticut|New Canaan]] and [[Darien, Connecticut|Darien]] in Fairfield County are considered the most Republican areas in the state, the former being the hometown of conservative activist [[Ann Coulter]].  [[Westport, Connecticut|Westport]], a wealthy town a few miles to the east, is often considered one of the most loyally-Democratic, liberal towns in Fairfield County. [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]] and [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]], two larger, affluent communities in Fairfield County, have in many elections favored moderate Republicans including former Governor [[John G. Rowland]] and Congressman [[Chris Shays]], however they have favored Democrats in recent US presidential candidates. [[Waterbury, Connecticut|Waterbury]] has a Democratic registration edge, but usually favors conservative candidates in both parties. In [[Danbury, Connecticut|Danbury]] unaffiliated voters outnumber voters registered with either major party. Other smaller cities including [[Meriden, Connecticut|Meriden]], [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]], and [[Middletown, Connecticut|Middletown]] favor Democratic candidates.
 
 
 
Democrats hold veto-proof majorities in both houses of the state legislature. In 2006, Republicans were reduced from three out of five to one out of five congressional seats. The remaining Republican, [[Chris Shays]], is the only Republican from New England in the House of Representatives in the [[110th Congress|current Congress]] and is also one of the most liberal Republicans in the House. [[Christopher Dodd]] and [[Joseph Lieberman]] are Connecticut's U.S. senators. The senior Dodd is a Democrat while the junior Lieberman serves as an [[Independent Democrat]] caucusing with Senate Democrats after his victory on the [[Connecticut for Lieberman]] ballot line in the 2006 general election.  Lieberman's predecessor, [[Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.]], was the last Connecticut Republican to serve as Senator. Weicker was known as a liberal Republican. He broke with President [[Richard Nixon]] during [[Watergate Scandal|Watergate]] and successfully ran for governor in 1990 as an independent, creating [[A Connecticut Party]] as his election vehicle. Before Weicker, the last [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] to represent Connecticut in the Senate was [[Prescott Bush]], the father of former President [[George H.W. Bush]] and the grandfather of President [[George W. Bush]]. He served from 1953–1963.
 
 
 
{{further|[[U.S. presidential election, 2004, in Connecticut]]}}
 
 
 
===Political corruption===
 
Several mayors, state legislators, and government employees have been convicted and imprisoned for crimes ranging from bribery to racketeering.  In 2004, Governor [[John G. Rowland]], a Republican, was forced to resign when it was discovered he helped steer state contracts to firms that offered him gifts and free vacations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/21/connecticut.governor/index.html | title=Connecticut governor announces resignation | publisher=[[CNN]].com | date= 1 July 2004| accessdate=2007-01-20}}</ref>  Following his resignation, he pled guilty to corruption charges and served ten months in federal prison. Former [[Waterbury, Connecticut|Waterbury]] Mayor and 2000 GOP Senate candidate [[Philip Giordano]] was stripped of power in 2001 after a corruption investigation had to be cut short when phone taps unexpectedly revealed alleged sexual acts with 8- and 10-year-old minor girls and other possible acts of [[pedophilia]].<ref>{{cite news|url = http://liberty.hypermart.net/voices/2002/Giordano.htm|title= Federal Child Sex Charges Against Republican Mayor Giordano| publisher=[[New York Daily News]] | date = 23 November 2001| accessdate =2007-01-20}}</ref> In 2003, he was convicted and sentenced to 37 years in federal prison.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://liberty.hypermart.net/voices/2002/Giordano.htm| title = Ex-Republican Mayor in Connecticut Is Sentenced to 37 Years for Sex Abuse| publisher = [[New York Times]] (AP)| date = 14 June 2003| accessdate =2007-01-20}}</ref> Democrats have been convicted of corruption as well, most notably former Bridgeport Mayor [[Joe Ganim]]. The current Mayor of Bridgeport, [[John Fabrizi]] admitted to using cocaine while in office, but has stayed on while not running for re-election.<ref>{{cite news|url =http://nwkpublish.bits.baseview.com/stamford_templates/stamford_story/319603830946543.php| title = Politics top state stories of 2006| publisher = The Stamford Times (AP)| accessdate =2007-01-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url =http://www.connpost.com/news/ci_3958182| title = Fabrizi: I used coke| last = Cummings |first = Bill | publisher= [[Connecticut Post]]| date = 21 June 2006 |accessdate =2007-01-20}}</ref>  In August 2007 Hartford Mayor [[Eddie Perez]] announced he had been investigated for ties to a city contractor. [http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hc-perez0817.artaug17,0,3742776.story?coll=hc_tab01_layout]
 
 
 
Several state agencies, including the [[Connecticut Department of Transportation|Department of Transportation (DOT)]], [[Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles|Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)]], and [[Connecticut Department of Children and Families|Department of Children and Families (DCF)]] have been rocked by scandals over the past decade. 
 
 
 
A more recent scandal involved a botched construction project on [[Interstate 84 (east)|Interstate 84]] near Waterbury.  An independent audit of the project in late 2006 revealed that over 300 storm drains installed by the now-defunct L.G. DeFelice Construction Company, were either filled with sand, were improperly installed, or were connected with pipes that led to nowhere.  In addition to the faulty storm drains, officials discovered light fixtures with defective mounting brackets when one of the fixtures fell off of its support pole and onto the highway.  Inspectors also discovered the structural steel for an overpass was not properly installed, raising serious questions about the bridge's structural integrity.  Following the uncovering of this scandal, Attorney-General [[Richard Blumenthal]] filed suit against L.G. DeFelice, its bonding company [[USF&G]], and the consultants (the Maguire Group) hired by CONNDOT to oversee the project, resulting in a $17.5 million settlement to fix the problems.  A federal [[grand jury]] and FBI investigation were also launched into the operations of L.G. DeFelice before the company ceased operations in 2004.  Several CONNDOT employees were fired after being implicated in the scandal, and are also subjects of state and federal investigations for allegedly taking [[bribery|bribes]] in exchange for covering up substandard work on the I-84 project.  Finally, the scandal prompted the [[Connecticut General Assembly]] to consider contract reform legislation and Governor [[M. Jodi Rell]] to order a complete reorganization of CONNDOT. 
 
 
 
On June 1, 2007, Senate Minority Leader [[Louis DeLuca]] (R-Woodbury) was arrested on conspiracy charges after it was discovered he was dealing with a local Mafia boss who is currently facing federal charges stemming from his trash-hauling operations,<ref>[http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=6599228  State Sen. DeLuca arrested. WTNH Channel 8 New Haven, June 1, 2007]</ref> and allegations that he tried to use these same ties to intimidate the husband of his grandaughter, whom he claimed was abusing her.
 
 
 
Following Rowland's resignation, the state legislature passed a campaign finance reform bill that bans contributions from lobbyists and state contractors in future campaigns.<ref>{{cite press release|title =Connecticut Legislature Passes Sweeping Campaign Finance Reform Bill | publisher = Brennan Center for Justice | date = 1 December 2005 | url =http://www.brennancenter.org/press_detail.asp?key=100&subkey=10529&init_key=84 | accessdate =2007-01-20}}</ref>
 
 
 
== Education ==
 
 
 
Connecticut is well-known as the home of [[Yale University]], which maintains a consistent ranking as one of the world's most renowned universities, and has the most selective undergraduate program of any university in the United States (an 8.6% acceptance rate in 2006).<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2006-11-02-collegerates_x.htm| title = College acceptance rates: How many get in?| publisher = [[USA Today]]| date = 8 November 2006| accessdate =2007-01-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://media.www.browndailyherald.com/media/storage/paper472/news/2006/04/04/CampusNews/Class.Of.2010.Acceptance.Rate.Lowest.In.University.History-1779032.shtml?sourcedomain=www.browndailyherald.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com| title= Class of 2010 acceptance rate lowest in University history| last=Lutts | first = Chloe | publisher=The Brown Daily Herald| date = 4 April 2006 | accessdate =2007-01-20}}</ref>  Yale is one of the largest employers in the state, and its research activity has recently spun off dozens of growing biotechnology companies.
 
 
 
Connecticut is also the host of many other academic institutions, including [[Trinity College (Connecticut)|Trinity College]], (1825), and [[Wesleyan University]], (1832). The [[University of Connecticut]] has been the highest ranked public university in New England for eight years running, according to ''[[U.S. News and World Report]]''. The State's capital university, [[University of Hartford]], (1877), is a private, independent, and nonsectarian coeducational university located in West Hartford, Connecticut. It was chartered through the joining of the Hartford Art School, Hillyer College, and The Hartt School of Music in 1957. 
 
 
 
Additionally, the State has many noted [[boarding school]]s, such as [[Miss Porter's School]], [[Choate Rosemary Hall]], [[Hotchkiss]], [[Pomfret School]], [[Avon Old Farms]], [[Loomis Chaffee]], [[Salisbury School]] and [[The Taft School]] which draw students from all over the world. Also Connecticut has many noted private day schools such as [[Kingswood-Oxford School]] located in [[West Hartford]], the [[Hopkins School]], based in [[New Haven]], and the [[The Williams School|Williams School]] in New London.
 
 
 
{{see also|List of colleges and universities in Connecticut}} for a comprehensive listing. <!-- list of colleges is comprehensive in another article; improve that article/list instead of redundantly adding it here —>
 
{{see also|List of school districts in Connecticut}}
 
 
 
== Sports ==
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
!Club
 
!Sport
 
!League
 
|-
 
|[[Bridgeport Sound Tigers]]
 
|[[Ice hockey]]
 
|[[American Hockey League]]
 
|-
 
|[[Danbury Trashers]]
 
|Ice hockey
 
|[[United Hockey League]]
 
|-
 
|[[Hartford Wolf Pack]]
 
|Ice hockey
 
|American Hockey League
 
|-
 
|[[New England Stars]]
 
|Ice hockey
 
|[[North Eastern Hockey League]]
 
|-
 
|[[Connecticut Defenders]]
 
|[[Baseball]]
 
|[[Minor League Baseball]] (AA)
 
|-
 
|[[New Britain Rock Cats]]
 
|Baseball
 
|Minor League Baseball (AA)
 
|-
 
|[[Bridgeport Bluefish]]
 
|Baseball
 
|[[Atlantic League]]
 
|-
 
|[[Manchester Silkworms]]
 
|Baseball
 
|[[New England Collegiate Baseball League]]
 
|-
 
|[[New Haven County Cutters]]
 
|Baseball
 
|[[Canadian-American League]]
 
|-
 
|[[Stamford Robins]]
 
|Baseball
 
|[[Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League]]
 
|-
 
|[[Torrington Twisters]]
 
|Baseball
 
|[[New England Collegiate Baseball League]]
 
|-
 
|[[Connecticut Sun]]
 
|[[Basketball]]
 
|[[Women's National Basketball Association]]
 
|-
 
|[http://www.ctrollerderby Connecticut Roller Girls]
 
|[[Flat Track Roller Derby]]
 
|[[Women's Flat Track Roller Derby Association]]
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
*From 1979 to 1997, the National Hockey League had a franchise in Hartford, the [[Hartford Whalers]]. Their departure to [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], caused great controversy and resentment. The former Whalers are now known as the [[Carolina Hurricanes]].
+
*[[Roman Catholic]] – 32 percent
 +
* [[Protestant]] (various denominations) - 45 percent
 +
*[[Judaism|Jewish]] – 1 percent
 +
*[[Muslim]] – 1 percent
 +
*Other Religions – 4 percent
 +
*Non-Religious – 12 percent
 +
*No answer – 6 percent
  
* Connecticut is a battleground between fans of the [[New York Yankees]] (around 55% of the population),  [[Boston Red Sox]], and [[New York Mets]][http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/18/sports/baseball/18fans.html?ei=5088&en=6f3f651e40bd2179&ex=1313553600&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print]
+
==Looking to the future==
 +
Maintaining clean [[water]] and [[air]] are two major challenges facing the state. The federal and state governments are setting limits on dumping [[chemical]] wastes into the water supply and emitting [[automobile]] exhausts and smoke. Making the [[beach]]es safer for swimming is important for [[tourism]].
  
*In 1876, Hartford had a franchise in baseball's [[National League]] known as the [[Hartford Dark Blues]].
+
With much of southern Connecticut becoming a bedroom community for [[New York City]], [[transportation]] and congestion are major issues. New Canaan is the wealthiest town in Connecticut, with a per capita income of $85,459. Hartford, on the other hand, is the poorest city in Connecticut, with a per capita income of $13,428. There are other lower-income and blue-collar towns in the eastern part of the state. Poor and medium wealth households are particularly affected by a very high cost of living, due to a combination of expensive [[real estate]], high [[fuel]] costs for heating in the winter, and other factors.
  
*In 1926, Hartford had a franchise in the [[National Football League]] known as the [[Hartford Blues]].
+
Areas of inner-city blight and abandoned housing exists in the Connecticut’s larger cities, though urban redevelopment programs have made progress. There continues to be a shortage of lower- and middle-income housing. New Haven's 1950s and 1960s renewal programs became a prototype for the rest of the country.  
  
*From 1975 to 1995, the [[Boston Celtics]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] played a number of home games at the [[Hartford Civic Center]].
+
Connecticut has provided relatively generous welfare benefits. Elderly and children's services have special departments, but the state has joined the national effort to reduce welfare costs. The state is renowned for its elite schools and universities, but its public elementary and secondary schools have been underfunded, and continue to reflect the racial imbalance of residential patterns.
  
*Since 1952, a [[PGA Tour]] golf tournament has been played in the Hartford area.  Originally called the "Insurance City Open" and later the "Greater Hartford Open," the event is now know as the [[Travelers Championship]].
+
While the state provides a variety of landscapes; beaches, forested hills, rocky headlands, and idyllic small towns with well-preserved historic buildings, there is a lack of balance in its wealth and many very low-income residents.
  
The Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament is held annually at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale University. It is one of the few dual-sex tournaments in professional tennis and is the warm-up tournament to the US Open, played the following week in Queens, New York. The court speed and weather conditions are identical to those at the US Open.{{Fact|date=May 2007}}
+
==Notes==
 +
<references/>
  
The [[Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC)]] is the state's sanctioning body for high school sports. [[Xavier High School (Middletown, CT)]] claimed the 2005 Class LL football championship. Other state champions in football include Staples (in Westport), Greenwich High School (Greenwich, CT) 2006 state LL champions, Branford, Daniel Hand (in Madison), Woodland Regional (in Beacon Falls), East Lyme High School (in East Lyme), Hyde Leadership (in Hamden), Southington High School (in Southington).
+
==References ==
 +
* Gelman, Amy. 2002. ''Connecticut.'' Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publications. ISBN 0822540770
 +
* Kent, Zachary. 2008.  ''Connecticut.'' New York: Children's Press. ISBN 9780531185711
 +
*''U.S. Census Bureau''. [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/09000.html State & County QuickFacts] Retrieved October 27, 2008.
 +
*''United States Geological Survey''. [http://www.usgs.gov/state/state.asp?State=CT Science In Your Backyard: Connecticut] Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  
==Famous residents==
+
==Gallery of images==
{{main|List of famous residents of Connecticut}}
+
<center><gallery>
 
+
Image:View of City of New London.jpg|[[New London, Connecticut|New London]]
[[George Walker Bush]], the current President of the United States, was born in Connecticut. He is a member of the [[Bush political family]], with roots in the state extending three generations. Other notable figures from the state span American political and cultural history, including [[Ralph Nader]], [[Eli Whitney]], [[Benedict Arnold]], [[Nathan Hale]], [[Harriet Beecher Stowe]], [[Mark Twain]], [[John Brown (abolitionist)|John Brown]], [[Eugene O'Neill]], [[Charles Ives]] and [[Katharine Hepburn]], and [[Roger Sherman]].  The state is home to many actors, entertainers and businesspeople.
+
Image:Hartford Connecticut Skyline.JPG|[[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]
 
+
Image:Nhskyline eastshore.jpg|[[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]]
==See also==
+
Image:Downtown Middletown, CT.jpg|[[Middletown]]'s historic Main Street
*[[Connecticut census statistical areas]]
+
</gallery></center>
*[[Connecticut State Police]]
 
*[[Connecticut State Troubadour]]
 
*[[List of television shows set in Connecticut]]
 
*[[Scouting in Connecticut]]
 
*{{wikitravel}}
 
 
 
==Notes ==
 
{{reflist|2}}
 
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
All links retrieved December 9, 2007
+
All links retrieved March 2, 2017.
{{sisterlinks|Connecticut}}
 
===Government===
 
 
*[http://www.ct.gov/ State of Connecticut] - Official state website
 
*[http://www.ct.gov/ State of Connecticut] - Official state website
*[http://www.sots.ct.gov/RegisterManual/regman.htm Connecticut State Register & Manual] - updated annually
 
 
*[http://www.ct.gov/ctportal/cwp/view.asp?a=843&q=257266 Directory of Web sites of Connecticut towns and cities]
 
*[http://www.ct.gov/ctportal/cwp/view.asp?a=843&q=257266 Directory of Web sites of Connecticut towns and cities]
===Tourism===
 
 
*[http://www.ctvisit.com/ CTVisit.com] - Official state tourism website
 
*[http://www.ctvisit.com/ CTVisit.com] - Official state tourism website
 
===History===
 
 
*[http://www.ctgenealogy.com/ www.ctgenealogy.com] Connecticut Society of Genealogists (Est. 1968)
 
*[http://www.ctgenealogy.com/ www.ctgenealogy.com] Connecticut Society of Genealogists (Est. 1968)
 
*[http://www.chs.org/ Connecticut Historical Society]
 
*[http://www.chs.org/ Connecticut Historical Society]
*[http://www.usgs.gov/state/state.asp?State=CT USGS real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of Connecticut]
 
*[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/09000.html U.S. Census Bureau]
 
*[http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/CT.htm Connecticut State Facts]
 
===Civic and business organizations===
 
*[http://www.ctjaycees.org Connecticut Junior Chamber (Jaycees)]
 
*[http://www.usnewspapers.org/state/connecticut Connecticut Newspapers]
 
 
*[http://www.cbia.com/ Connecticut Business & Industry Association]
 
*[http://www.cbia.com/ Connecticut Business & Industry Association]
*[http://www.ctbhof.com/ The Connecticut Business Hall Of Fame]
+
 
<br clear=all/>
+
 
{{Connecticut|expanded}}
 
 
{{United States}}
 
{{United States}}
{{succession
 
| preceded = [[Georgia, U.S.|Georgia]]
 
| office = [[List of U.S. states by date of statehood]]
 
| years = Ratified [[Constitution of the United States of America|Constitution]] on January 9, 1788 (5th)
 
| succeeded = [[Massachusetts]]
 
}}
 
 
{{coor title d|41.6|N|72.7|W|region:US-CT_type:state_scale:1000000}}
 
  
 
[[Category:Geography]]
 
[[Category:Geography]]

Latest revision as of 18:54, 14 January 2023

State of Connecticut
Flag of Connecticut State seal of Connecticut
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): The Constitution State
The Nutmeg State
The Provisions State
The Land of Steady Habits[1][2]
Motto(s): Qui transtulit sustinet.[2] (Latin)
Map of the United States with Connecticut highlighted
Official language(s) None
Capital Hartford
Largest city Bridgeport[3]
Largest metro area Greater Hartford
Area  Ranked 48th
 - Total 5,543 sq mi
(14,357 km²)
 - Width 70 miles (113 km)
 - Length 110 miles (177 km)
 - % water 12.6
 - Latitude 40°58′ N to 42°03′ N
 - Longitude 71°47′ W to 73°44′ W
Population  Ranked 29th in the U.S.
 - Total 3,580,709 (2011 est)[4]
- Density 739/sq mi  (285/km2)
Ranked 4th in the U.S.


 - Median income  $68,595 (3rd)
Elevation  
 - Highest point Massachusetts border on
south slope of Mount Frissell[5][6]
2,379 ft  (725 m)
 - Mean 500 ft  (150 m)
 - Lowest point Long Island Sound[5][6]
0 ft  (0 m)
Admission to Union  January 9, 1788 (5th)
Governor Dannel Malloy (D)
Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman (D)
U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman (ID)
Richard Blumenthal (D)
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Abbreviations CT Conn. US-CT
Web site www.ct.gov


Connecticut is one of the Unites States. It is located in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. Connecticut is the 29th most populous state with 3.4 million residents and is ranked 48th in size by area. Connecticut is the fourth most densely populated state. Only Delaware and Rhode Island are smaller in total area.

Connecticut has a long history dating from early colonial times. Its Fundamental Orders of 1639 are considered to be the first written constitution in the Americas. The orders were influential in the development of early American government. Connecticut's was one of the thirteen original colonies and in 1788 became the fifth state to join the fledgling United States. Its nickname is "The Constitution State." It is also the home of Yale University, founded in 1701. Yale is an Ivy league university and is consistently ranked as one of the world's top universities.

The state's first European settlers were from the Netherlands. However, the first major settlements were established in the 1630s by English settlers who moved overland from Massachsetts Bay Colony. The immigration from Massachusetts formed three disparate colonies; River Colony (Hartford), Old Saybrook, and Quinnipiack (New Haven). Those colonies merged in 1662 under a royal charter making Connecticut a crown colony.

Connecticut's temperate climate and long coastline on Long Island Sound have given the state a deep maritime tradition. Modern Connecticut is known for its wealth, initially based on industry. Financial organizations have flourished in the state. First insurance companies in Hartford, then hedge funds. This prosperity has helped give Connecticut the highest per capita income and median household income and some of the highest taxes in the country.

Notable figures from the state span American political and cultural history, including Roger Sherman, Benedict Arnold, Nathan Hale, Eli Whitney, John Brown, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Mark Twain, Charles Ives, Eugene O'Neill, and Katharine Hepburn.

Geography

Bear Mountain, highest peak in Connecticut.

Connecticut is bordered on the south by Long Island Sound, on the west by New York, 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, New Britain, Norwich, Milford, Norwalk, Stamford, Waterbury, Danbury, and Bridgeport, the largest.

The highest elevation in Connecticut is Mount Frissell in the northwestern corner of the state. The peak and northern part of the mountain are located within Massachusetts. The southern slope of Mount Frissell is located within Connecticut and the highest elevation within the state is 2,379 ft (725 m). Bear Mountain, located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) to the east, is the highest mountain summit in Connecticut.

The Connecticut River cuts through the center of the state, flowing into Long Island Sound, Connecticut's outlet to the Atlantic Ocean.

Despite its size, the state has regional variations in its landscape and culture, from the wealthy estates of Fairfield County's "Gold Coast" to the rolling mountains and horse farms of northwestern Connecticut. Connecticut's rural areas and small towns in the northeast and northwest corners of the state contrast sharply with its industrial cities, located along the coastal highways, US Route 84 and US Route 95, from the New York border to New Haven, then northward to Hartford, as well as farther up the coast near New London. Many towns center around a small park, known as a "green." Near the green one may stand a small white church, a town meeting hall, a tavern, and several colonial houses. Forests, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and a sandy shoreline add to the state's beauty.

The state shares its northern boundary with Massachusetts is marked by the distinctive Southwick Jog/Granby Notch, an approximately 2.5-mile (4.0 km) square detour into Connecticut slightly west of the center of the border. The southwestern border of Connecticut, where it abuts New York, is marked by a panhandle in Fairfield County. This irregularity in the boundary is the result of territorial disputes in the late 1600s.[7]

Climate

Connecticut has a humid continental climate, with seasonal extremes tempered by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Winters are cold, and the average yearly snowfall is about 25–100 inches (64–254 cm) across the state, with higher totals in the northwest. Spring has variable temperatures with frequent rainfall. Summer is hot and humid throughout the state. Autumn months are mild. During hurricane season, tropical cyclones occasionally affect the region. Thunderstorms are most frequent during the summer, occurring on average 30 times annually. These storms can be severe, though tornadoes are rare.

Flora and fauna

Forests cover about 60 percent of Connecticut, made up of elm, ash, maple, beech, birch, and oak trees. White-tailed deer, foxes, beavers, minks, and squirrels are among the mammals found in the state. Saltwater and freshwater fish live in the state's waters. Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary provides 3 and a half miles of beach where wildlife can be enjoyed in a recreational environment of walking, hiking and biking. Connecticut Audubon Society’s Coastal Center at Milford Point is a birdwatchers' paradise, where 315 bird species can be found.

History

A map of the Connecticut, New Haven, and Saybrook colonies.

The name "Connecticut" originates from the Mohegan word quinnitukqut, meaning "place of long tidal river." [8] Among the hundreds of Native American tribes living in the region were the Mohegan, Niantic, Podunk, Quinnipiac, Pequot, and Nipmuc.

European contact

The first European in Connecticut was the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block, who arrived in 1614. Dutch fur traders sailed up the Connecticut River and built a fort near present-day Hartford.

The first English settlers came in 1633 and settled at Windsor and then Wethersfield in 1634. However, the main body of settlers came in one large group in 1636. The settlers were Puritans from Massachusetts, led by Thomas Hooker. Hooker had been prominent in England and was a professor of theology at Cambridge. He was also an important political writer and made a significant contribution to constitutional theory. He broke with the political leadership in Massachusetts, and, just as Roger Williams had created a new polity in Rhode Island, Hooker and his cohort did the same and established the Connecticut Colony at Hartford in 1636.

John Winthrop, then of Massachusetts, gained permission to create a new colony at Old Saybrook at the mouth of the Connecticut River in 1635. This was the second of three distinct colonies that later would be combined to make up Connecticut. Saybrook Colony was a direct challenge to Dutch claims. The colony was not more than a small outpost and never matured. In 1644, the Saybrook Colony merged itself into the Connecticut Colony. Because the Dutch were outnumbered by the flood of English settlers from Massachusetts, they abandoned their fort in 1654.

The third colony was founded in 1638. New Haven Colony, (originally known as the Quinnipiack Colony), had its own constitution, 'The Fundamental Agreement of the New Haven Colony' which was signed on June 4, 1639.

The Charter Oak is one of the most colorful and significant symbols of Connecticut's history, said to have hid the Colonial Charter in 1687 when representatives of James II attempted to seize it. It finally fell during a great storm on August 21, 1856.

Neither the establishment of the Connecticut Colony nor the Quinnipiack Colony were done with the sanction of British imperial authorities, and were independent political entities. They naturally were presumptively English, but in a legal sense, they were only secessionist outposts of Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1662, Winthrop took advantage of this void in political affairs and obtained in England the charter by which the colonies of Connecticut and Quinnipiack were united. Although Winthrop's charter favored the Connecticut colony, New Haven remained a seat of government with Hartford until after the American Revolution. The politically astute Winthrop secured the charter from the newly restored Charles II, who granted him liberal political terms.

Its first constitution of Connecticut, the "Fundamental Orders," was adopted in 1639. Connecticut is the fifth of the original thirteen states. Its original constitutions influenced the U.S. Constitution, as one of the leading authors was Roger Sherman of New Haven.

Initial good relations between the Native Americans and the settlers became tense over their differing uses of the land and erupted into violence in 1637, when the colonists massacred the Pequot, formerly the most powerful tribe. King Philip's War in Rhode Island and diseases brought by the Europeans nearly wiped out the remaining native peoples.

The western boundaries of Connecticut have been subject to change over time. According to a 1650 agreement with the Dutch, the western boundary of Connecticut ran north from the west side of Greenwich Bay "provided the said line come not within 10 miles [16 km] of Hudson River." On the other hand, Connecticut's original Charter granted it all the land to the "South Sea," i.e., the Pacific Ocean. Connecticut took its grant seriously, and established a county between the Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers. This resulted in the brief Pennamite Wars with Pennsylvania.

Connecticut's lands also extended across northern Ohio, called the Western Reserve lands. The Western Reserve section was settled largely by people from Connecticut. Agreements with Pennsylvania and New York extinguished the land claims by Connecticut within its neighbors, and the Western Reserve lands were relinquished to the federal government, which brought the state to its present boundaries.

Modern times

Before and after the American Civil War, immigrants from other countries flooded into Connecticut to work in the new mills and factories that were producing textiles and guns, and later, electrical products and machines. Defense-related industries are a major part of the economy. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation builds military helicopters, and Pratt & Whitney makes jet engines. Other companies supply submarines, radar, and other items needed by the military.

Government and politics

The Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford contains many objects of historical interest, including the tombstone of the American Revolutionary War hero Israel Putnam.

Hartford has been the sole capital of Connecticut since 1875. Prior to that time, it served as co-capital with the city of New Haven.

Constitutional history

Connecticut is known as the “Constitution State.” The nickname is assumed to reference the Fundamental Orders of 1638–1639, which represent the framework for the first formal government written by a representative body in Connecticut.

After the Fundamental Orders, Connecticut was granted governmental authority by King Charles II of England through the Connecticut Charter of 1662. While these two documents acted to lay the ground work for the state’s government, both lacked essential characteristics of a constitution. The Fundamental Orders and the Connecticut Charter could both be altered simply by a majority vote of the General Assembly. Separate branches of government did not exist during this period, and the General Assembly acted as the supreme authority. A true constitution was not adopted in Connecticut until 1818. Finally, the current state constitution was implemented in 1965. The 1965 constitution absorbed a majority of its 1818 predecessor, but incorporated a handful of important modifications. Another possible source of the nickname "Constitution State" comes from Connecticut's pivotal role in the federal constitutional convention of 1787, during which Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth helped to orchestrate what became known as the Connecticut Compromise, or the Great Compromise. This plan combined the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan to form a bicameral legislature, a form copied by almost every state constitution since the adoption of the federal Constitution.

Executive

The governor heads the executive branch. Connecticut was the first state in the United States to elect a woman as governor without electing her husband first, Ella Grasso in 1974.

In addition to the governor and lieutenant governor, four other executive officers are elected directly by voters: Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, and Attorney General. All executive officers are elected to four year terms.

Legislative

Connecticut State symbols
  • Nickname: The Constitution State
  • Motto: Qui Transtulit Sustinet
He Who Transplanted Still Sustains
  • Song: Yankee Doodle
  • Cantata: The Nutmeg
  • Folkdance: Square dance
  • Mammal: Sperm Whale
  • Fish: American Shad
  • Shellfish: Eastern Oyster
  • Bird: American Robin
  • Flower: Mountain Laurel
  • Insect: European Mantis
  • Tree: Charter Oak (White Oak)
  • Fossil: Eubrontes giganteus
  • Mineral: Garnet
  • Ship: USS Nautilus (SSN-571)
  • Flagship and tall ship ambassador: Freedom Schooner Amistad
  • Aircraft: F4U Corsair
  • Hero: Nathan Hale
  • Heroine: Prudence Crandall
  • Composer: Charles Edward Ives

The legislature is the General Assembly. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of an upper body, the State Senate (36 senators); and a lower body, the House of Representatives (151 representatives). Senators and representatives are elected to two-year terms in even-numbered years. The Democrats in 2008 hold the majority in both houses of the General Assembly. At the same time, Connecticut had five representatives in the U.S. House, four of whom were Democrats.

Judicial

The highest court of Connecticut's judicial branch is the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice. The Supreme Court is responsible for deciding on the constitutionality of the law or cases as they relate to the law. The Appellate Court is a lesser state-wide court, and the Superior Courts are lower courts that resemble county courts of other states.

Local government

Connecticut has 169 towns, which serve as the fundamental local political subdivision of the state; the entire state is divided into towns. Connecticut shares a local form of government with the rest of New England called the New England town. There are also 21 cities, most of which are coterminous with their namesake towns and have a merged city-town government. There are also nine incorporated boroughs, which may provide additional services to a section of town.[9]

Unlike most other states, Connecticut does not have a system of county governments; most were eliminated in 1960. The state is instead divided into 15 planning regions defined by the state Office of Planning and Management. [10] Each region has an administrative body known as either a regional council of governments, a regional council of elected officials, or a regional planning agency. The regions are established for the purpose of planning "coordination of regional and state planning activities; designation or redesignation of logical planning regions and promotion of the continuation of regional planning organizations within the state; and provision for technical aid and the administration of financial assistance to regional planning organizations."[10]

Politics

Connecticut allotted its electoral votes exclusively to Democratic candidates since the 1990s, but to Republican presidential candidates five times in the 1970s and 1980s. There are a large number of voters who are not registered with a major party. As of 2004, 33.7 percent of registered voters were registered Democratic, 22.0 percent were registered Republican, and 44.0 percent were unaffiliated with any party.[11] Voters in the state tend to be more supportive of fiscal conservatives and may be considered to be generally socially liberal.

Democrats hold veto-proof majorities in both houses of the state legislature. In 2006, Republicans were reduced from three out of five to one out of five congressional seats. Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., who served in the U.S. Senate from 1971 to 1989, was the last Connecticut Republican to serve as senator. He was known as a liberal Republican who broke with then-President Richard Nixon during Watergate and successfully ran for governor in 1990 as an independent. Before Weicker, the last Republican to represent Connecticut in the Senate was Prescott Bush, the father of former President George H. W. Bush and the grandfather of President George W. Bush. He served from 1953 to 1963.

Connecticut politics were tarnished by corruption in the late 1990s and early years of the twenty-first century. The list includes several mayors, state legislators, and government employees who have been found, or plead, guilty to a string of crimes ranging from bribery to racketeering.[12]

Economy

The famous Charter Oak adorns Connecticut's state quarter.

The total gross state product for 2004 was $187 billion. The per capita income for 2005 was $47,819, ranking first among the states.[13] There is, however, a great disparity in incomes through the state; although New Canaan has one of the highest per capita incomes in America, Hartford is one of the ten cities with the lowest per capita incomes in the country. The low number may partially be due to the fact that the city, like other cities in the area, has a small footprint relative to a typical American city (only about 18 square miles) and therefore does not have more middle-income areas included in its total to "balance out," statistically, inner areas with older housing stock and a poorer population.

Should Hartford (or similar cities New Haven and Bridgeport) be combined with its immediate suburbs, it would rank as one of the richest cities in the country. Fairfield County has become a bedroom community for higher-paid New York City workers seeking a less urban lifestyle. This in turn has attracted businesses wishing to remain near New York City to southwestern Connecticut, most notably to Stamford.

New Canaan is the wealthiest town in Connecticut, with a per capita income of $85,459. Hartford is the poorest city in Connecticut, with a per capita income of $13,428. There are other lower-income and blue-collar towns, mostly parts of towns, in the eastern part of the state. Poor and medium wealth households are particularly affected by a very high cost of living, due to a combination of expensive real estate, expensive heating for the winters, and other factors.

Taxation

A portion of the harbor in Bridgeport.

Prior to 1991, Connecticut had a highly populist income tax system. Income from employment was untaxed, but income from investments was taxed at the highest rate in the United States: 13 percent. This burden was further increased by the method of calculation: no deductions were allowed for the cost (for example, interest on borrowing) of producing the investment income. Under Governor Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., an Independent, this was reformed to the present system.

This system prior to 1991 made it an attractive haven for high-salaried earners fleeing the heavy taxes of New York State, but highly unattractive for members of Wall Street partnerships. It put an enormous burden on Connecticut property tax payers, particularly in the cities with their more extensive municipal services. As a result, the middle class largely fled the urban areas for the suburbs, taking stores and other tax-paying businesses with them, leaving mostly the urban poor in the older, central areas of Connecticut cities.

With Weicker's 1991 tax reform, the tax on employment and investment income was equalized at a then-maximum of 4 percent. Since then, the city of Greenwich has become the headquarters of choice for a large number of America's largest hedge funds, and Connecticut income from that industry has soared. In the early years of the twenty-first century, the income tax rate on Connecticut individuals was divided into two tax brackets of 3 percent and 5 percent.

Real estate

Homes in southwestern Connecticut on the fringes of the New York City metropolitan area are relatively expensive. Many towns have median home prices over $500,000, with some more desirable homes exceeding $1 million. Greenwich has the most expensive real estate market, with most houses selling at over $1 million and most condos selling at over $600,000. Connecticut has the most million-dollar homes in the Northeast, and the second most in the nation after California, with 3.3 percent of homes in Connecticut priced over one million dollars in 2003.[14] In 2007, the median price for a house in Connecticut passed $300,000 for the first time, even though most of the country was mired in a real estate slump.

Industries

Map of Connecticut showing major highways

The insurance industry is one of the biggest employers in Hartford. More than a hundred insurance companies are based in the state.

The agricultural output for the state is nursery stock, eggs, dairy products, cattle, and tobacco. Commercial fishing is also a big industry. Connecticut is one of the country's top producers of oysters, but lobster, flounder, shad, and other fish are also caught.

Its industrial outputs are transportation equipment (especially helicopters, aircraft parts, and nuclear submarines), heavy industrial machinery and electrical equipment, military weaponry and fabricated metal products, chemical and pharmaceutical products, and scientific instruments.

A report issued by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism in 2006 demonstrated that the economic impact of the arts, film, history, and tourism generated more than $14 billion in economic activity and 170,000 jobs annually.[15]

Transportation

Between New Haven and the New York City, I-95 is one of the most congested highways in the United States. Since many Connecticut residents commute to New York City, there is an extensive commuter railway network connecting New York City to New Haven, with spurs servicing Waterbury, Danbury, and New Canaan. Regional rail service is provided by Amtrak.

Education

With such a diverse population, Connecticut is introducing programs in the public schools to best meet the needs of its varied student body.

Approximately 80 percent of the state's high school graduates attend college. The institutions of higher learning include Yale University, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the University of Connecticut, and the University of Bridgeport.

Demographics

Connecticut Population Density Map

As of 2005, Connecticut had an estimated population of 3,510,297,[16] which is an increase of 11,331, or 0.3 percent, from the prior year and an increase of 104,695, or 3.1 percent, since the year 2000. Based on the 2005 estimates, Connecticut moves from the 29th most populous state to 30th.

In 1790, 97 percent of the population in Connecticut were classified as "rural." The first census in which less than half the population was classified as rural was 1890. In the 2000 census, it was only 12.3 percent. Most of western and southern Connecticut is strongly associated with New York City; this area is the most affluent and populous region of the state. A portion of rural northeastern Connecticut is somewhat culturally influenced by Boston.

Race, ancestry, and language

As of 2004, 11.4 percent of the population (400,000) was foreign-born, and 10 percent of the foreign-born in the state were illegal aliens (about 1.1 percent of the population). In 1870, native-born Americans had accounted for 75 percent of the state's population, but that had dropped to 35 percent by 1918.

As of 2000, 81.69 percent of Connecticut residents age 5 and older spoke English at home and 8.42 percent spoke Spanish, followed by Italian, French, and Polish.[17]

The five largest reported ancestries in the state are: Italian (18.6 percent), Irish (16.6 percent), English (10.3 percent), German (9.9 percent), and French/French Canadian (9.9 percent).

Connecticut has large Italian-American and Irish-American populations, as well as German and Portuguese-American, second highest percentage of any state behind Rhode Island (19.3 percent). African Americans and Hispanics (mostly Puerto Ricans) are numerous in the urban areas of the state. Connecticut also has a sizable Polish American population.

More recent immigrant populations include those from Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, Panama, and former Soviet countries.

Religion

A 2001 survey of Connecticut residents' religious self-identification showed the following distribution of affiliations:[18]

  • Roman Catholic – 32 percent
  • Protestant (various denominations) - 45 percent
  • Jewish – 1 percent
  • Muslim – 1 percent
  • Other Religions – 4 percent
  • Non-Religious – 12 percent
  • No answer – 6 percent

Looking to the future

Maintaining clean water and air are two major challenges facing the state. The federal and state governments are setting limits on dumping chemical wastes into the water supply and emitting automobile exhausts and smoke. Making the beaches safer for swimming is important for tourism.

With much of southern Connecticut becoming a bedroom community for New York City, transportation and congestion are major issues. New Canaan is the wealthiest town in Connecticut, with a per capita income of $85,459. Hartford, on the other hand, is the poorest city in Connecticut, with a per capita income of $13,428. There are other lower-income and blue-collar towns in the eastern part of the state. Poor and medium wealth households are particularly affected by a very high cost of living, due to a combination of expensive real estate, high fuel costs for heating in the winter, and other factors.

Areas of inner-city blight and abandoned housing exists in the Connecticut’s larger cities, though urban redevelopment programs have made progress. There continues to be a shortage of lower- and middle-income housing. New Haven's 1950s and 1960s renewal programs became a prototype for the rest of the country.

Connecticut has provided relatively generous welfare benefits. Elderly and children's services have special departments, but the state has joined the national effort to reduce welfare costs. The state is renowned for its elite schools and universities, but its public elementary and secondary schools have been underfunded, and continue to reflect the racial imbalance of residential patterns.

While the state provides a variety of landscapes; beaches, forested hills, rocky headlands, and idyllic small towns with well-preserved historic buildings, there is a lack of balance in its wealth and many very low-income residents.

Notes

  1. Connecticut's Nicknames Connecticut State Library.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Error on call to template:cite web: Parameters url and title must be specified.
  3. Population Estimates for All Places: 2000 to 2006: Connecticut SUB-EST2006-04-09.xls. United States Census Bureau.
  4. Error on call to template:cite web: Parameters url and title must be specified (CSV). 2011 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division (December 2011).
  5. 5.0 5.1 Elevations and Distances in the United States. United States Geological Survey (2001). Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Elevation adjusted to North American Vertical Datum of 1988.
  7. Connecticut State Library. Connecticut's "Panhandle".
  8. State of Connecticut. About Connecticut Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  9. Connecticut State Library. Connecticut's Boroughs and Cities.
  10. 10.0 10.1 State of Connecticut. Regional Planning Coordination Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  11. Connecticut Office of the Secretary of State. Party Enrollment in Connecticut.
  12. Mike Pesca. November 9, 2007. Connecticut Politics Tarnished by Corruption NPR. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  13. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Per Capita Income Growth in 2005 Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  14. Les Christie. February 23, 2006. Million dollar homes CNN.com. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  15. Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism. Culture and Tourism Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  16. U.S. Census Bureau national and state population estimates.
  17. The Modern Language Association. Most spoken languages in Connecticut Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  18. City University of New York. American Religious Identification Survey Retrieved October 27, 2008.

References
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