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Home - Travel America - Vermont

Vermont

Travel America Learn before you travel. This section of Fun Easy English focuses on facts and other cool stuff about your favorite U.S. state. This is great English reading practice. This page focuses on the state of Vermont. Hey if you cannot understand something on this page, then use the Fun Easy English dictionary (opens in a new window) Quick Links United States of America AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY Washington D.C. Vermont In 1609, French explorer Samuel de Champlain came upon a large lake in the area we know today as Vermont and named it after himself. The state's name comes from two French words vert (green) and mont (mountain), which explains Vermont's nickname, the "Green Mountain State." Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys defended their homeland from the British during the Revolutionary War. Vermont is one of the six New England states and became the 14th state in 1791. Some of Vermont's major industries are dairy farming and tourism. One of the most picturesque states, Vermont has millions of visitors each year who come to see the leaves turn colors in the fall and the snow-covered mountains in the winter. The state flower is the red clover and the tree is the sugar maple. Vermont maple syrup is one of the state's most popular products.

Vermont State Flag Vermont's state flag was authorized in 1919 and features the state coat of arms (which includes the state motto) against a field of blue. From Vermont Statutes Online: The Coat of Arms, Crest, Motto and Badge of the State shall be and are described as follows (1) Coat of Arms. Green, a landscape occupying half of the shield; on the right and left, in the background, high mountains, blue; the sky, yellow. From near the base and reaching nearly to the top of the shield, arises a pine tree of the natural color and between three erect sheaves, yellow, placed diagonally on the right side and a red cow standing on the left side of the field. (2) Motto and Badge. On a scroll beneath the shield, the motto: Vermont; Freedom and Unity. The Vermonter's badge: two pine branches of natural color, crossed between the shield and scroll. (3) Crest. A buck's head, of natural color, placed on a scroll, blue and yellow. Source: State Symbols USA   Vermont State Facts Picture: state seal of Vermont State Capital Montpelier Nickname Green Mountain State Motto Freedom and Unity Statehood March 4, 1791 (14th) Origin of Name Based on "verts monts," French for green mountains Largest Cities Burlington Border States Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York Area 9,249 sq. mi., 43rd largest State Bird Hermit Thrush State Flower Red Clover (trifolium pratense) State Tree Sugar Maple (acer saccharum) State Song Hail, Vermont Travel and tourism site for Vermont - This state travel and territorial tourism site provides ideas for your vacations, meetings, and more.

Vermont Stories   The Town Meeting Have you ever been to a town meeting? Do you know what goes on in one? Town meetings are a popular form of local government in Vermont and elsewhere. During these meetings, all citizens are welcome to discuss local issues such as the cost of running the schools and government. Taxes are almost always an issue. Should they be raised or lowered? What type of computers should be purchased? What to do about overdue property taxes? These are just some of the topics that could be discussed and voted on at a town meeting. University of Vermont political science professor Frank Bryan calls the town meeting the "Secret Flame of Democracy." But some people think the town meeting has outgrown its usefulness. They say that American society has grown too large and complex for the town-meeting style of government. Others think that town meetings are "alive, but troubled." They say that town meetings are mostly attended by those who are self-employed, retired, or otherwise not working at regular daytime jobs, so they cannot accurately reflect the views of the majority of the town's citizens. Do you think the town meeting will survive?   Vermont Maple Syrup Do you like pancakes with maple syrup? Did you know that Vermont produces more maple syrup than any other state in the United States? The process used to make maple syrup is essentially the same one that Native Americans first used hundreds of years ago. For four to six weeks in the winter or early spring, farmers collect the sweet-water sap of dormant sugar maple or black maple trees. The sap is extracted through tap holes, which are carefully drilled into the trees and fitted with spouts and buckets or the more modern and common method, plastic tubing. The sweet-water sap is then boiled in pans to evaporate the liquid. The sap only yields one-thirtieth to one-fiftieth the amount of syrup as the original quantity of sap. Maple syrup can be used to improve a number of dishes in many ways, but mostly it's used to turn pancakes and waffles into delicious treats. Source: Library of Congress

National Forests of Vermont The following is a description of national forests in the state of Vermont. There are no national parks or monuments in this state. If you plan to visit or live in Vermont for awhile then you should definitely plan to visit some of these fantastic places.   National Forests Green Mountain In Vermont's Green Mountains, this forest includes eight wilderness areas. Among the 900 mi (1,400 km) of trails in the forest are the Appalachian Trail and two National Recreation Trails: Long and Robert Frost.

Travel America

Cool America About the U.S.A. About the U.S.A. is an American Studies reader that examines the customs, government, and history of the United States of America. The text provides a wealth of information on U.S. geography and history; the roles of local, state, and federal government; national holidays and symbols; the Constitution; and citizenship. The book, which was written for intermediate to advanced learners of English, contains a range of activities for language students to practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing. (opens to a new PDF window) Great English reading practice. About America Learn about the fascinating history and government of the United States of America. Lessons include content on American Government, American History, and Integrated Civics. Handouts with interactive games and student-centered activities encompass all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Great English reading practice for beginning to intermediate students. American Teens Talk! Americans Teens Talk! is a collection of interviews of American high school students. Each interview is accompanied by vocabulary notes and discussion questions. The interviews in American Teens Talk! give learners a view into the lives of adolescents in the U.S. Through the written format of the interviews, learners are able to increase their vocabulary, practice their reading and listening skills, engage in discussions, and learn more about U.S. culture. These interviews come with audio programs. Great English listening and reading Sing Out Loud Children's Songs Sing Out Loud Children's Songs includes popular children's songs in the U.S.A. Posters accompany the individual Sing Out Loud Children's Songs. These songs come with audio programs. Great English listening and reading practice. Sing Out Loud Traditional Songs The Sing Out Loud Traditional Songs collection contains 13 traditional American folk songs and song lyrics. Listen to the songs online, read the lyrics, and collect the posters that accompany the songs. These songs come with audio programs. Great English listening and reading practice. Sing Out Loud American Rhythms Do you love music? Want to use it to learn English? Check out the hip-hop inspired song "Peace" from Sing Out Loud American Rhythms. American Rhythms includes a variety of musical genres from many different artists in the U.S.A. These songs will appeal to teens and young adults. These songs come with audio programs. Great English listening and reading practice. Route 66 - Famous American Road U.S. Route 66 (US 66 or Route 66), also known as the Will Rogers Highway, the Main Street of America or the Mother Road, was one of the original highways in the U.S. Highway System. The highway, which became one of the most famous roads in the United States, originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before ending in Santa Monica, California, near Los Angeles, covering a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 km). It was recognized in popular culture by both the hit song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" and the Route 66 television show in the 1960s. Route 66: The Highway That's the Best (Beginner - Listening) A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Great English listening practice. This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in America. Chicago: The Start of Route 66 (Beginner - Listening) A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Great English listening practice. This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in America. Going West for Decades on Route 66 (Beginner - Listening) A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Great English listening practice. This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in America. Arizona: The Spirit of Route 66 (Beginner - Listening) A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Great English listening practice. This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in America. Route 66 California: The End of the Trail (Beginner - Listening) A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Great English listening practice. This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in America. Ten Must-See Route 66 Attractions (Beginner - Listening) A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Great English listening practice. This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in America. Four Famous Foods On Route 66 (Beginner - Listening) A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Great English listening practice. This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in America. International Tourists Drawn to Route 66 (Beginner - Listening) A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America. The English is spoken at 75% of normal speed. Great English listening practice. This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in America.

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