Geography and Climate of Vermont
Vermont is one of the smaller states in both area and population. At 9,620 square miles nestled among the New England states, it is 45th in the U.S. in total area. At 608,827 residents, Vermont is the most sparsely populated of the United States outside of Wyoming.
Vermont is famous for the green mountains that give the state its name and for Lake Champlain bordering on the west. Vermont is surrounded by Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east and New York to the west, with Canada on its northern border.
Vermont has a fairly typical northeastern U.S. climate, with humid, warm temperatures in the summer and sometimes harsh levels of cold in the winter. Early summers tend to be mild with hotter temperatures in August.
The fall is a popular time to visit Vermont, as there is a great deal of color in the leaves of the trees as they change for the winter. Vermont’s occasionally heavy snowfalls make it a popular eastern skiing destination.
History of Vermont
For much of the 17th and 18th centuries, the right to Vermont was in dispute between the French and the British. In 1759, 12,000 British troops drove the French out of their stronghold in and around Fort St. Frederic during the French and Indian War.
Another French stronghold, Fort Carillon, was also taken at around this time and renamed Fort Ticonderoga. At the conclusion of the French and Indian War in 1763, the British achieved total control over the Vermont territory as a condition of the Treaty of Paris.
This did not end the dispute over Vermont, however, as New York, New Hampshire and Massachusetts insisted rights to the land. In 1741, King George II invalidated the Massachusetts claim. This still left New Hampshire and New York at odds over the territory, resulting in Ethan Allen organizing his famous “Green Mountain Boys” in 1770 to defend New Hampshire interests.
In 1777, the representatives of New Hampshire met and officially declared the area an independent republic. Following the conclusion of the American Revolutionary War, Vermont became the first state to be added to the original thirteen colonies in 1791.
Demographics of Vermont
While Vermont is one of the least populated states in the Union, it has the second highest white population, at about 98 percent. Vermont is also one of the oldest states, boasting the second highest median age among U.S. states. The state evenly splits between male and female, with a slight edge towards females.
Vermont is a heavily Christian state, accounting for 67 percent of residents. Within Christianity, most residents are Roman Catholic, with Protestants not far behind and a small proportion of other Christian religious groups such as Methodists, Episcopalians and Baptists. Christian leanings aside, around 20 percent of Vermonters identify as non-religious, making it one of the most secular states in the Union along with Washington and Oregon.
Economy of Vermont
Vermont has the unfortunate distinction of having the worst economy in the United States, with a Gross State Product of 23 billion dollars. Vermont’s economy largely relies on agriculture, especially as it relates to the manufacture of specialty items such as Cabot cheese, microbrew beers and Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream. Vermont is also famous for its production of maple syrup.
Manufacturing is another important piece of the Vermont economy. IBM provides employment for 6,800 Vermonters and represents one billion dollars of the annual economy. Tourism is yet another key source of revenue for Vermont. The abundant, attractive mountains and copious winter snowfall makes Vermont a popular ski resort destination.
Vermont Law and Government
As the second smallest state by population, Vermont has only one representative in the U.S. Congress, Democrat Peter Welch. It also has the distinction of having one of only two Independent Senators in the United States Congress, Socialist Bernie Sanders. The senior Senator from Vermont is Democrat Pat Leahy, currently serving his sixth term. The Governor of Vermont is Republican Jim Douglas.
Vermont legalized civil unions, allowing homosexuals to enjoy all the privileges of marriage. This decision moved into the national spotlight in 2004, when the Governor who signed the law, Democrat Howard Dean, attempted a Presidential run.
Vermont Transportation
Vermont is a small, rural state and as such does not have an advanced public transportation system. Vermont is accessible by Amtrak train or by Greyhound bus lines. Automobile routes include Route 5 and Route 7, which are north-south routes on the east and west borders of the state, respectively, and Route 2 and Route 4, which are east-west routes. Interstate highways in Vermont include Interstate 91 and 93.
Major Cities and Towns of Vermont
The largest city in Vermont is Burlington, with close to 40,000 residents. Burlington is home to the University of Vermont. Burlington is one of the best U.S. cities to live in due to the good health and quality of life of its residents.
Another major town in Vermont is Bennington, host to Bennington College, famous for being one of the most expensive colleges in the country. Bennington County is the location of Stratton Mountain, one of the most popular skiing and snowboarding destinations on the east coast.
Another small town, Londonderry, features the Magic Mountain ski area, another popular stop for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. The state capital of Vermont is Montpelier, chosen for its central location within the state. Montpelier is the smallest and least populated of all capital cities in the United States, at only 10.2 square miles and with roughly 8,000 residents. Montpelier is home of the New England Culinary Institute and the Green Mountain Film Festival.
Vermont Educational System
Vermont puts a strong emphasis on education. It is famous for being the first state in the nation to require public funding for education, a provision included in Vermont’s Constitution. In both 2005 and 2006, Vermont earned the reputation as the country’s “smartest state.”
The student-teacher ration is roughly 11-to-1 and Vermont records the fourth highest money spent per pupil in the United States. Vermont has a number of well-known institutions of higher learning including the University of Vermont, Bennington College, Middlebury College and Norwich University.
Vermont Sports Teams and Recreational Activities
As Vermont is such a small state with a limited population, there is no real market for major professional sports teams. However, Vermont does feature a minor league team, the Vermont Lake Monsters, as well as an ABA basketball team, the Vermont Frost Heaves.
In the winter, skiing or snowboarding is the recreational activity of choice for many Vermonters and visitors to Vermont. Popular ski resorts in Vermont include Stratton Mountain and Magic Mountain.
Visitors to Vermont in the warmer months can enjoy a variety of fairs and festivals, including the Vermont Maple Festival, the Green Mountain Film Festival and the Marlboro Music Festival. Those looking for more physical activity can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing and swimming in various spots throughout the state.
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