Connecticut History: An 1835 engraving by John Barber showing the North Haven

Name of State: Connecticut

Statehood: January 9, 1788 (5th state)

Nickname/Official Designation: "The Constitution State" was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1959

Name Origin/Indian: Quinnehtukqut -- Mohegan for "Long River Place" or "Beside the Long Tidal River"

Capitol: Hartford, the sole Capital City since 1875

State Motto: Qui Transtulit Sustinet -- "He Who Transplanted Still Sustains"

Population: The population of Connecticut was 3,405,565 according to the 2000 U.S. Official Census. The most recent population estimate from the Connecticut Department of Public Health is 3,409,549 as of July 1, 2000.

Birth Rate: (2001--per 1,000 pop.) 12.5
Death Rate: (2001--per 1,000 pop.) 8.7
Length of Boundary: 371 miles
Length of Shoreline: 253 miles
Highest Altitude: Slope of Mt. Frissell in Salisbury 2,380 ft. above sea level
Total mileage of Rivers and Streams: Approx. 12,148
Total number of Lakes and Ponds: Approx. 19,591
State Parks: 93 on 33,449 acres
State Forests: 30 on 167,504 acres
State Monuments: 10 on 14 acres
Miles on State Highway System (as of Dec. 31, 2001): 4,122.27
State Maintained Access Roads and Ramps: 389.89
State Maintained Routes: 3,732.38
Miles of Divided Lane Highways in System: 730.42

The State Seal was provided for in the Constitution, 1818.
The State Flag was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1897.
The State Flower, the Mountain Laurel, was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1907.
The State Bird, the Robin, was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1943.
The State Tree, the White Oak, was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1947.
The State Animal, the Sperm Whale, Physeter Catodon, was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1975.
The State Insect, the Praying Mantis, Mantis Religiosa, was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1977.
The State Mineral, the Garnet, was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1977.

The State Song, "Yankee Doodle," was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1978.
The State Ship, USS Nautilus, was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1983.
The State Hero, Nathan Hale, was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1985.
The State Shellfish, the Eastern Oyster, was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1989.
The State Composer, Charles Edward Ives was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1991.
The State Fossil, Eubrontes Giganteus, was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1991.
The State Heroine, Prudence Crandall, was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1995.
The State Tartan was adopted by Act of the Legislature, 1995