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About Massachusetts (MA) State
 

HISTORY
Native American tribes such as the Pennacook and Wampanoag initially inhabited the region currently known as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  In the early 1600’s, Pilgrims and Puritans in search of religious freedom came from England and began settling the area and founding such beautiful cities as Boston, Plymouth and Salem.  From the Abolitionist Movement and the Boston Tea Party, to the Revolutionary War and Salem Witch Trials, Massachusetts provided the stage for much of America’s future heritage.

In 1632, Boston, also known as “Beantown”, became the representative city for the MA Bay Colony and has served as the state capital since 1780.  MA was also home to the first free public schools and private academies, and Harvard, in Cambridge, was the first American College.  On February 6, 1788, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts joined the Union as the sixth state and in the 19^th century, MA transformed from a primarily agricultural economy into one based in manufacturing.  The economy drastically declined in the early 20^th century and rose again as a result of highly educated residents forming numerous high tech businesses within the state.  Now, in the 21^st century, Massachusetts still has a thriving higher education system and continues to lead the nation in setting social precedence, such as being the first U.S. State to legalize marriage for same-sex couples in 2004.

DEMOGRAPHICS
According to Census 2000, Massachusetts is home to 6,349,097 million individuals.  Boston, the state capital and MA’s largest city, accounts for nearly 590,000 of that total.  US Census data in 2006 estimated the population as 6,437,193, which indicates an increase of 3,826 (0.1%) from the previous year and 88,088 (1.4%) since the official census in 2000.  The 2006 estimates also reflect a natural growth in population since the last census of 149,992 individuals (499,440 births minus 349,448 deaths) and a loss from net migration of 89,812 residents out of MA.  Foreign immigration accounted for a net growth of 200,155 citizens, while net migration from within the U.S. resulted in a net decrease of 289,967 individuals.  Over the years, the MA population has increased and decreased; however, despite the most recent drop in population, estimates project a statewide population of 7.3 million by the year 2030.

Massachusetts’ five largest ancestry groups include Irish (21%), Italian (17.5%), French/French Canadian (12.9%), English (11.4%), and German (5.9%).  MA has one of the country’s most concentrated Irish populations, as well as significant communities of people of French and Italian descent.  Additional ethnic groups that make up the population in MA include African American, Brazilian, Cambodian, Cape Verdean, Greek, Lithuanian, Polish and Portuguese.  The 2000 U.S. Census reported that 6.21% of the population over age 5 speak Spanish in the home, while 2.68% speak Portuguese, 1.41% French, and 1.00% Italian.

GEOGRAPHY
As Massachusetts encompasses more than 10,500 square miles, it ranks 44^th in the nation in area.  Massachusetts shares its borders with Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.  The Atlantic Ocean forms the eastern border of MA, while Cape Cod lies in the southeastern corner and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket lie to its south.  The largest urban areas in MA include Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Fall River, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Quincy, Springfield and Worcester.

Several large bays along the coastline of MA contribute to its nickname of “Bay State”.  These include Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod, Massachusetts Bay and a small portion of Narragansett Bay.  The varied landscape includes the Appalachian Mountains, the Connecticut River and numerous coastal beaches.  The state has a mean elevation of 500 feet, with the highest point being Mt. Greylock (3,491 feet).  Residents enjoy a humid continental climate, which features balmy summers and cold, snowy winters.

ECONOMY
Massachusetts operates a burgeoning economy with industrial outputs that include electrical and electronic equipment, machinery, printing, publishing and scientific instruments.  Additional sectors essential to the state’s healthy economy include health care, higher education, financial services and tourism.  Popular tourist destinations include Berkshire Hills, Boston, Cape Ann, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Plymouth.

MA residents earned a personal per capita income of $42,104 in 2004.  This is the 2^nd highest per capita income in the United States.  According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Massachusetts produced a gross state product of $318 billion in 2004.

AGRICULTURE
Massachusetts' flourishing agricultural base plays a significant role in the economy.  Agricultural products include a wide variety of vegetables, dairy products, nursery stock, seafood, tobacco and cranberries.  The Ocean Spray cooperative contributes to Massachusetts’ ranking as the nation’s second largest cranberry producing state.  Estimates in 2005 indicated that MA is home to 6,100 farms.  Approximately 520,000 acres make up these farms, with an average of 85 acres each.

TRANSPORTATION
Massachusetts features an extensive infrastructure of Interstate and U.S. highways.  MA’s Interstate highways include I-91, I-291, I-84, I-90, I-290, I-190, I-93, I-95, I-195, I-395 and I-495.  Major U.S. highways include U.S. Route 1, 2, 3, 6 and 24.  Several major airports, such as Logan International Airport, provide commercial flights in and out of the state.  Residents also have Commuter Rail service and MBTA service from which to choose.

 EDUCATION
Massachusetts is home to more than one hundred colleges, universities and top-notch teaching hospitals.  The state’s well-established University System includes the University of Massachusetts, which operates campuses from Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell and Worcester.  Additional facilities for higher learning in MA include Boston College, Brandeis University, Northeastern University and Tufts University.  Harvard, located in Cambridge was the very first American College.

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City Information (Massachusetts State)
Agawam | Amesbury | Attleboro | Barnstable | Beverly | Boston | Brockton | Cambridge | Chelsea | Chicopee | Easthampton | Everett | Fall River | Fitchburg | Franklin | Gardner | Gloucester | Greenfield | Haverhill | Holyoke | Lawrence | Leominster | Lowell | Lynn | Malden | Marlborough | Medford | Melrose | Methuen | New Bedford | Newburyport | Newton | North Adams | Northampton | Peabody | Pittsfield | Quincy | Revere | Salem | Springfield | Somerville | Southbridge | Taunton | Waltham | Watertown | West Springfield | Westfield | Weymouth | Woburn | Worcester


Counties in Massachusetts State
Barnstable | Berkshire | Bristol | Dukes | Essex | Franklin | Hampden | Hampshire | Middlesex | Nantucket | Norfolk | Plymouth | Suffolk | Worcester