Facts over Delaware
State: Delaware
Abbreviation: DE
Capital: Dover
State Since: December 7, 1787
Area Codes: 302
Bird: Blue Hen Chicken
Flower: Peach Blossom
Largest City: Wilmington
Motto: Liberty and Independence
Nicknames: First State, Diamond State, Blue Henn Sate, Small Wonder
Population: 783,600
Song: Our Delaware
Tree: American Holly
Time Zone: -5
Adjacent States:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Maryland
Travel information about Delaware
Delaware is one of the states of the United States. The standard abbreviation for the “First State”, as it is nicknamed (see also below), is DE. The capital is Dover.
History
The area now called Delaware was originally settled by indigenous peoples. The Lenni Lenape, who were one of the oldest Algonquin-speaking peoples in North America, became known to Euro-Americans as ‘Delawares’. Both Dutch and Swedes settled there in the 17th century, but after 1682 it was part of the Pennsylvania colony. The name “Delaware” is derived from the title of Sir Thomas West (1577 – 1618) (Lord de la Warr), who was governor of Virginia.
At the beginning of the 18th century, three counties split off. Delaware belonged to the thirteen colonies that together fought the English rule (see: American Revolution). On December 7, 1787, it was the first to ratify the Constitution, which is why its nickname is First State. The border between Maryland and Delaware is part of the Mason-Dixon line. Although Delaware knew slavery, it remained with the Union during the American Civil War. On February 18, 1865, just before the surrender of the Confederacy, Delaware voted against the abolition of slavery. It was not until February 12, 1901, that it ratified the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
Geography
The state of Delaware occupies 6452 km², of which 5068 km² is land. It is the smallest of the fifty states after Rhode Island. It belongs to the Eastern time zone. Delaware occupies the northeast of a peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. It borders Pennsylvania to the north, Maryland to the west and south, and New Jersey to the east. The main river is the Delaware, which forms the border with New Jersey. The highest point in flat Delaware is just 137 m.
Demography and economy
In 2000, Delaware had 783,600 inhabitants (155 per km²). The largest cities are Wilmington and the capital Dover. The gross product of the state in 2001 was 41 billion dollars. The legislation in Delaware regarding, among other things, taxation and hostile takeovers is seen as very favorable by many companies, so that many companies are formally located in Delaware while their headquarters are in another state.
Winterthur Museum and Gardens
Nearly 60 years ago, Henry Francis DuPont opened his own estate, the Winterthur, to the public. Today, Winterthur is a premier museum with more than 90,000 American antiques dating from the 1640s to 1860s. The collection is displayed in the vast DuPont family estate, with no fewer than 175 rooms and a 25-acre garden.
Rehoboth Beach
The white sandy beach of Rehoboth Beach features on many lists of America’s most beautiful sandy beaches. The coastal town is very popular with the locals during the summer months, because in addition to the beautiful beach you will also find many restaurants and boutiques. South of Rehoboth Beach is also Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach.
