Quick Facts: Table

United States/Connecticut. Source: Microsoft Encarta 1998.

Connecticut Quick Facts Population:   3.2 million (1997) - 25% of New England Population per square mile:   590 Population growth:   Decline of .53% (1990-1997) Total area:   5544 square miles (3,548,160 acres) - 8% of NE Total land area:   4845 square miles (87%)  Total water coverage:   699 square miles (13%) Rivers and Streams:   Approximately 5800 miles Coastline - including bays and inlets:   618 miles Highest point:   2380 ft., Mount Frissell (Salisbury) Capital:   Hartford (Population 135,000) Largest City:   Bridgeport, 141,000 (1990) Tourism revenues:   $3.9 billion (1993) Key industries:   Defense manufacturing, tourism, insurance, banking State parks and forests:   142 (168,420 acres or 4.7% of total state) Acres of farmland:   450,000 (13%) # of dams on streams and rivers:   3000+

The state of Connecticut is located in the northeastern United States and is one of six New England states. The state ranks 48th in size for the country. It is bordered by New York to the west, Massachusetts to the north, Rhode Island to the east, and Long Island Sound to the south. It has three major rivers, the Connecticut, Housatonic and Thames. Of these the Connecticut River is the largest, both within the state and throughout New England. All of the rivers run north to south and drain into Long Island Sound.

Connecticut State Map. Source: Microsoft Encarta 1998

Connecticut is the gateway to New England. The state is approximately 3.5 million acres representing 8% of the total land area of New England. With a current population of 3.2 million, it is second only to Massachusetts in total population in the region. Population growth in Connecticut continues to be flat or negative. Connecticut has a dichotomy of riches, it continues to rank either first or second nationally in per capita income, but is also home to some of the poorest cities in the country.