Facts About Connecticut

Connecticut, one of the six New England states, in the northeastern United States. Connecticut was the fifth of the original 13 states ratifying the Constitution of the United States on January 9, 1788, and it played an important role in the development of the United States. Settlement in Connecticut dates from the 1630s and many of the state's modern towns and cities can trace their origins back to the 17th or 18th century. Hartford is the capital of Connecticut and the center of the state's largest metropolitan area. Bridgeport is the state's largest city.

Connecticut is the third smallest state of the Union, with an area of only 14,359 sq km (5,544 sq mi), including 417 sq km (161 sq mi) of inland water and 1,393 sq km (538 sq mi) of coastal water over which it has jurisdiction. Connecticut is roughly rectangular in shape, except for a narrow strip of land in the southwest that projects westward to within about 19 km (about 12 mi) of New York City. The state has a maximum distance from east to west of 163 km (101 mi) and a greatest distance north to south of 117 km (73 mi). The mean elevation of Connecticut is approximately 150 m (500 ft).

Connecticut has long, hot summers and cold winters. The climate does not vary greatly from place to place, although the northwest corner generally experiences more severe winters.

• Lime Rock Park: Famous for its scenic beauty and demanding 1.53-mile, seven-turn road course, Lime Rock Park delivers a truly unparalleled racing experience. Festival seating on Lime Rock's grassy hillsides give spectators unrivaled views of racing action ranging from sports cars to stock cars.
• Mystic Aquarium: Discover the new Mystic Aquarium where you'll find underwater wonders to inspire a new generation of explorers. 3,500 sea creatures from a vast array of marine environments take you on a journey into our ocean planet. You'll visit the Alaskan Coast, a one-of-a-kind, nose-to-nose view of beluga whales and seals in a naturalistic million-gallon habitat, and discover Challenge of the Deep, a unique, interactive experience spanning the history of man's fascination with underwater exploration.
• Olde Mistick Village: A world apart from the ordinary mall experience, Olde Mistick Village, with its unique collection of over 60 shoppes, stores and restaurants, has become a favorite shopping center for local residents as well as the many visitors who come into the Mystic area from around the world. A day at Olde Mistick Village is more than simply a day of shopping.

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