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CAPITAL CITY: Concord

BACKGROUND

One of the original 13 states (it entered the Union in 1788), New Hampshire was named after the English county of Hampshire. New Hampshire is called the "Granite State" because of its numerous granite quarries; the nickname may also reflect the state's attachment to tradition and its history of a frugal government. There are no general sales or individual income taxes, which fits with the state motto of "Live free or die". A relatively small state, New Hampshire plays a major role every four years in the presidential election, as it holds the first primary election. New Hampshire was first settled in 1623, just three years after the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts. New Hampshire's history is the story of the transformation of a wilderness to farmland and then to a thriving industrial society.

Map showing the location of New Hampshire

Visitors to New Hampshire enjoy a great variety of recreational activities in six major vacation areas: the White Mountains region, the Lakes area, the Seacoast region, the Merrimack Valley area, the Monadnock region, and the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee area. The state offers rugged mountains, blue lakes, sandy beaches and quiet villages.

QUICK FACTS

The great seal of the state of New Hampshire

Nickname: Granite State

Motto: Live free or die

Statehood: June 21, 1788 (9th)

Origin of State's Name: Named for Hampshire, England, by Captain John Mason

Largest Cities: Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Derry, Rochester

Border States: Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont

Land Area: 8,969 sq. mi., 44th largest

State Bird: Purple Finch

State Flower: Purple Lilac (syringa vulgaris)

State Tree: White Birch (betula papyrifera)

State Song: Old New Hampshire

USEFUL LINKS

Miscellaneous

Travel and tourism site for New Hampshire - This state travel and territorial tourism site provides ideas for your vacations, meetings, and more.