Massachusetts State Geography

Custom Search

State Geography:

So you want to know about Massachusetts? Here are some highlights! Also check out the links to other sites about Massachusetts.

Massachusetts State Facts

Population (1994): 6,041,000 (13th in size)

State size: 8,284 square miles (45th in size)

State Capital: Boston (named after the city in England)

Major cities: Boston, Springfield and Worcester

Admission to union: The 6th State

Date entered the union: February 6, 1788

Origin of state name: Named after the Massachusetts Indian tribe who lived in the Blue Hills area near Boston

Nicknames: The Bay State

Bordering states: New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island, with the Atlantic Ocean on the east.

State bird: Chickadee

State flower: Mayflower

State tree: American Elm

Motto: By the Sword We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty

Geographic Landmarks	Top of Page
Boston is a major east coast center for technology.

Points of Interest	Top of Page
You can still see the colonial influence in Boston and other areas of Massachusetts. Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard are very popular tourist areas. Massachusetts is also the home of the major universities of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Major Industries	Top of Page
Major industries include manufacturing of telecommunications equipment, electrical equipment, textiles, metal products and food products. Farming includes dairy, cranberries and poultry.

Historical Highlights	Top of Page
Pilgrims landed on Massachusetts in the Mayflower founding the colony of Plymouth. The American Revolution began in Massachusetts with the Boston Tea Party.

Population and Culture	Top of Page

Climate	Top of Page

Interesting Tidbits	Top of Page

Massachusetts State Flag

Ready for a Quiz? Try this!