Delaware

Delaware

Delaware is a South Atlantic state bordered by Pennsylvania to the north; Maryland to the west and south; and the Delaware Bay, the Delaware River, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. It is the second smallest state; only Rhode Island is smaller. The state takes its name from Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, an English nobleman and Virginia's first colonial governor. Delaware is known as the "First State" because, on December 7, 1787, it became the first state to ratify the Constitution. Delaware's landscape is mostly a low, flat coastal plain with rich soil. The state shares the Delmarva Peninsula with regions of Maryland and Virginia.

Delaware is divided into 3 counties; they are New Castle, Kent, and Sussex. Historically New Castle County has been industrialized, while the other two counties have been agricultural. Over two-thirds of the state's population lives in and around Wilmington, the state's only large city. Wilmington has become a manufacturing center and seaport because of plentiful waterpower and easy access to the Delaware River. The city is Delaware's financial and commercial center and a leading banking center. Leather-making has been an important industry since 1732. It is easier and cheaper to incorporate in Delaware than in most other states, even for those companies that conduct most of their business outside of the state. Delaware's economy is dominated by the Du Pont Chemical Company, one of the world's largest chemical companies. The company was founded by Eleuthere Irenee du Pont de Nemours in Wilmington in 1802. The du Pont family has been important in the state's economic development, politics, and social life. Delaware is also an important agricultural state because it is close to the large eastern United States markets. The state has good transportation facilities. It is connected to Baltimore, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. by canals, highways, and railroads. Fruits and vegetables are grown in the state's good climate and sandy soil. The state also produces poultry. Broilers, which are chickens between 5 and 12 weeks old, are Delaware's leading cash farm product. The broiler industry has made Sussex County one of the richest farming areas in the country.

The most well-known school in Delaware is the University of Delaware located in Newark.

List of colleges and universities in Delaware

The Official Website of the First State

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