Introduction - New Hampshire
Known for its state motto, "Live Free or Die", New Hampshire is a small but politically influential state in the Northeast region of the United States. What makes this state so politically important is the fact that New Hampshire is the first state to hold national primaries. Those who vote throughout the country tend to be influenced by the results of New Hampshire's voting results. Geographically, New Hampshire borders Canada to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east in addition to bordering the northeast states of Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts. When looking for quick facts and information about the state, both kids and adults will find the easy to read format below helpful. Where did New Hampshire get its name from and why do the temperatures there fluctuate so much? You'll find the answers to these and many other interesting facts about New Hampshire the lists below.Click here for a great selection of Amazon.com books about New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Quick Facts
- New Hampshire was the 9th state in the United States of America.
- New Hampshire was granted statehood on June 21, 1788.
- The state capital of New Hampshire is Concord.
- The largest city in New Hampshire is Manchester.
- The population of New Hampshire is 1,323,459 (source 2013 United States Census Bureau estimate).
- In terms of the size of New Hampshire, at just 9,351 square miles (24,219 square km), only four states are smaller in size.
- New Hampshire ranks as the 42nd most populous state in the United States, (source 2013 United States Census Bureau estimate).
- The state flower of New Hampshire is the Purple Lilac.
- Residents of New Hampshire are called New Hampshirites.
- The nickname for New Hampshire is the Granite State.
- The four main bodies of water within New Hampshire include one lake, Lake Winnipesaukee, and three rivers; the Merrimack River, the Androscoggin River and the Connecticut River.
- Old New Hampshire is the official state song of New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Interesting Facts
- The fourteenth president of the United States, Franklin Pierce, was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. He served from 1853-1857 and to this day is the only New Hampshire citizen to be elected President.
- At 6,288 feet (1,917 m) above sea level, Mt. Washington is the highest point in New Hampshire.
- One of North America's windiest places is found in New Hampshire. At the summit of Mt. Washington a wind gust of 231 mph (372 km/h), recorded in 1934, still holds the record for the fastest surface wind speed ever recorded in the U.S.
- New Hampshire was named after the town of Hampshire, England by English explorer, Captain John Smith.
- Wide fluctuations in the temperature, both daily and seasonally are the norm in New Hampshire. The surrounding bodies of water including the Atlantic Ocean, several rivers and Lake Winnipesaukee in addition to the high peaked mountain ranges all influence the temperature.
New Hampshire Historical Facts
- New Hampshire is one of the 13 original British colonies in America and was the first colony to declare independence from England.
- The town of Dover, New Hampshire, dates back to 1623 and is the oldest permanent settlement in New Hampshire.
- New Hampshire has the second oldest state constitution in the United States, dating back to 1784.
- In 1833, Peterborough became the home of the first free public library in the United States.