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Delaware, the "First" or "Diamond State"
Abbreviation: DE

Delaware Flag
State Flag
Delaware Seal
State Seal

The state's name comes from its original inhabitants, the Delaware Indians (also known as the Lenni-Lenape). Delaware was the first of the original 13 states of the Union. It's often called the "First" or "Diamond State" because it was the first state in 1787 to approve the United States Constitution. William Penn acquired the land that makes up Delaware to keep his Pennsylvania colony from being landlocked. Today, Delaware is one of the most industrialized states, known for its chemical research. Lying along the Atlantic coastline, most of Delaware lies in a low, flat coastal plain. The rolling hills and valleys of the Piedmont region cover the northern tip of the state. Delaware's many freshwater lakes and ponds, its ocean beaches and its rivers and streams provide excellent swimming, boating and fishing. Cultural and historical attractions also attract visitors to the state.

Die Bezeichnung Delaware leitet sich von seinen Ureinwohnern, den Delaware Indianern (auch unter dem Namen Lenni-Lenape bekannt) ab. Delaware war einer der 13 ersten Staaten des Verbundes. Es ist unter dem Namen „First State" oder "Diamond State" bekannt, weil er als erster Bundesstaat 1787 die Verfassung der Vereinigten Staaten unterzeichnete. William Penn kaufte das Land um sicherzustellen, dass seine Kolonie Pennsylvania einen Zugang zum Meer haben würde. Heute ist Delaware einer der am stärksten industrialisierten Staaten, bekannt für seine Forschungen in der Chemie. Delaware liegt an der Atlantikküste; der größte Teil ist eine niedere, flache Küstenebene. Die nördliche Spitze des Bundesstaates ist von den Hügeln und Tälern der Piedmont Region geprägt. Die zahlreichen Süßwasserseen und Teiche, die Strände am Ozean und die Flüsse und Bäche bieten ausgezeichnete Möglichkeiten zum Schwimmen, Bootfahren und Fischen. Kulturelle und historische Attraktionen ziehen ebenfalls Touristen in den Staat.

GOVERNMENT:
Capital:
Dover
Governor: Ruth Ann Minner, D (to Jan. 2009)
Senators: Edward E. Kaufman, D (to Jan. 2015); Thomas R. Carper, D (to Jan. 2013)
House of Representatives: 1 district | Search by zip code

STATISTICS:
Population (July 1, 2005): 844,000
; National Rank: 45; Percent change since April 2000: 7.6
Land Area: 1,955 sq mi. (5,153 sq km); National Rank: 49
10 largest cities (2005 est): Wilmington, 72,786; Dover, 34,288; Newark, 30,060; Middletown, 9,121; Smyrna, 7,413; Milford, 7,201; Seaford, 6,997; Elsmere, 5,722; Georgetown, 4,911; New Castle, 4,836

ECONOMY:
Total Gross State Product 2005 prel. (billions of dollars): 54.4
Per Capita Personal Income 2005:
$37,065; National Rank: 10
State Exports 2005 (millions of dollars): 2,525; National Rank: 43
Agriculture:
Poultry, nursery stock, soybeans, dairy products, corn.
Industry: Chemical products, food processing, paper products, rubber and plastic products, scientific instruments, printing and publishing.

Government
·
State of Delaware: Official State Homepage
· Project VoteSmart
·
State and Local Government on the Internet

Statistics
· Delaware Profile - Fedstats
·
U.S. Census Bureau: 2000 Data for the State of Delaware
·
U.S. Census Bureau: State Data Centers: Delaware

Economy
· Delaware - Regional Accounts Data

Background

·
Delaware Facts and History

· Factmonster.com: State Profiles
· 50States.com
· InfoPlease
·
Wikipedia.de: Delaware
·
Wissen.de: Delaware
 
 

Travel
· State of Delaware Tourist Office
· Delaware State Parks
·
Map (Mapquest)

For High School Students
· State of Delaware Kids Page
·
Delaware Historical Society: Delaware History Explorer Online Encyclopedia
· Explore the States
· State Report: Delaware
· Stately Knowledge (Internet Public Library)

Teacher Resources
·
Pro Teacher: Lessons by State: Delaware

Link Lists
· Delaware (Google)
· Delaware (Yahoo)
· GovEngine.com: Federal, State & Local Government Site

 
Texts are abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.
 
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Updated: January 2009