Delaware
Delaware is located in the northeastern portion of the Delmarva Peninsula and is just 96 miles long. It ranges from 9 miles to 35 miles across, totaling 1,954 square miles. That makes Delaware the second smallest state after Rhode Island. Estimates rank the population of Delaware as 45th in the nation, but 6th in population density, with more than 60% of the population in New Castle County. Delaware is divided into three counties. While the southern two counties (Kent County and Sussex) have historically been predominantly agricultural, New Castle County has been more industrialized.
The State ranks second in civilian scientists and engineers as a percentage of the workforce and number of patents issued to companies or individuals per 1,000 workers. The history of the State's economic and industrial development is closely tied to the impact of the DuPont family, founders of the DuPont Corporation, one of the world’s largest chemical companies.
Delaware also grows a great variety of fruits and vegetables and is a U.S. pioneer in the food-canning industry. Corn, soybeans, potatoes and hay are important crops. Delaware's broiler chicken farms supply the big Eastern markets, and fishing and dairy products are other important industries.
Delaware was one of the 13 colonies participating in the American Revolution and on December 7, 1787, it became the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States, thereby becoming known as “The First State”.
Since almost all of Delaware is a part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the effects of the ocean moderate its climate.
Delaware has 14 state parks with over 20,000 acres.
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