Navigation Bar U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany Sitemap Search Sitemap U.S. Diplomatic Mission to GermanyAbout the USASitemapSearch Deutsch
   
 

Travel & Geography > The States & Territories
Travel to the United States
| The States & Territories
The Regions of the United States | Facts & Statistics

New Hampshire, the "Granite State"
Abbreviation:
NH

New Hampshire Flag
State Flag
New Hampshire Seal
State Seal

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. 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.

New Hampshire ist einer der ersten 13 Staaten (1788 in die Union aufgenommen) und wurde nach dem englischen Landkreis Hampshire benannt. Es wird aufgrund seiner vielen Steinbrüche auch "Granit-Staat" genannt. Zugleich spiegelt der Spitzname auch die Bewahrung von Traditionen und die Geschichte einer sparsamen Regierung wider. Es gibt keine allgemeinen Mehrwehrt- oder Einkommenssteuern, was dem Staatsmotto "Frei leben oder sterben" entspricht. Obwohl es ein relativ kleiner Staat ist, spielt New Hampshire in den Präsidentschaftswahlen alle vier Jahre eine wichtige Rolle, denn hier findet die erste Vorwahl (primary election) statt. New Hampshire wurde schon im Jahre 1623, nur drei Jahre nachdem die Pilgerväter in Massachusetts gelandet waren, besiedelt. New Hampshires Geschichte beschreibt den Weg von der Wildnis über eine Ackerbaugesellschaft zu einer blühenden Industriegesellschaft. Der Besucher findet in New Hampshire vielfältige Möglichkeiten der Freizeitgestaltung in den sechs Hauptferiengebieten: den White Mountains, dem Seengebiet, der Küstenregion, dem Merrimack Valley, der Monadnock Region und dem Gebiet des Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee. Der Bundesstaat bietet rauhe Berge, blaue Seen, Sandstrände und ruhige Dörfer.

GOVERNMENT
Capital:
Concord
Governor: John Lynch, D (to Jan. 2009)
Senators: Judd Gregg, R (to Jan. 2011); Jeanne Shaheen, D (to Jan. 2015)
House of Representatives: 2 districts |
Search by zip code

STATISTICS
Population (July 2005):
1,310,000; National Rank: 41; Percent change since April 2000: 6.0%
Land Area:
8,969 sq mi. (23,231 sq km); National Rank: 46
10 largest cities (2005 est): Manchester, 109,691; Nashua, 87,321; Concord, 42,336; Rochester, 30,004; Dover, 28,486; Keene, 22,778; Portsmouth, 20,674; Laconia, 17,060; Claremont, 13, 388; Lebanon, 12,606

ECONOMY
Total Gross State Product 2005 prel. (billions of current dollars): 55.7
Per Capita Personal Income 2005:
$38,408; National Rank: 6
State Exports 2005 (millions of dollars): 2,548; National Rank: 41
Agriculture:
Dairy products, nursery stock, cattle, apples, eggs.
Industry: Machinery, electric equipment, rubber and plastic products, tourism.

Government
·
State of New Hampshire Official Homepage
· Project VoteSmart
·
State and Local Government on the Internet

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

Economy
· New Hampshire - Regional Accounts Data

Background
· 50States.com
·
InfoPlease
·
Wikipedia.de: New Hampshire

 

Travel
·
State of New Hampshire Tourist Office
· Map (MapQuest)

For High School Students
· Explore the States
· State Report: New Hampshire
· Stately Knowledge


Teacher Resources
·
ProTeacher: Lessons by State: New Hampshire

More Links
· GovEngine.com: Federal, State & Local Government Site
· New Hampshire (Google)
· New Hampshire (Yahoo)
· The New Hampshire Almanac

 
Texts are abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.
 
DISCLAIMER
Any reference obtained from this server to a specific commercial product, process, or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the United States Government of the product, process, or service, or its producer or provider. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government.
 
US Embassy
U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany
/Public Affairs/ Information Resource Centers 
Updated: January 2009