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New Hampshire

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New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States.

National-atlas-new-hampshire
National-atlas-new-hampshire

It sits near the Gulf of Maine and has a short coastline.

New Hampshire Shaded Relief 5
New Hampshire Shaded Relief 5

To the north lies the Canadian province of Quebec. To the west is Vermont, and to the south is Massachusetts. Maine sits to the east. The state is the seventh-smallest in the country by land area.

New Hampshire population density 2020
New Hampshire population density 2020

It has a population of 1,377,529 people as of the 2020 census. Concord is the capital city, while Manchester is the most populous city.

Manch-DownTown
Manch-DownTown

The land is full of mountains, forests, and water. There are more than 800 lakes and ponds in the state.

Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains
Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains

The White Mountains span the north-central part of the state. Mount Washington is the tallest peak in the northeastern United States. It is famous for having the "World's Worst Weather."

Mt. Washington from Bretton Woods
Mt. Washington from Bretton Woods

Winds there have reached 231 miles per hour. Another famous landmark was the Old Man of the Mountain.

Old Man of the Mountain 4-26-03 (cropped)
Old Man of the Mountain 4-26-03 (cropped)

This rock face looked like a human profile until it broke apart in 2003. Many people visit to ski or hike the Appalachian Trail.

People have lived in this area for thousands of years. The Abenaki were among the Algonquian-speaking peoples who lived there.

New Hampshire state coat of arms (illustrated, 1876)
New Hampshire state coat of arms (illustrated, 1876)

English settlers arrived in the 17th century. The Province of New Hampshire was established in 1629. It was named after the English county of Hampshire. The state has a motto: "Live Free or Die."

Site of first house in New Hampshire, present mansion constructed in 1750, by Gov. W. B. Wentworth (NYPL Hades-247509-423903)
Site of first house in New Hampshire, present mansion constructed in 1750, by Gov. W. B. Wentworth (NYPL Hades-247509-423903)

This motto comes from its role in the American Revolutionary War. In 1776, it became the first colony to set up an independent government.

History has shaped how the state works today. New Hampshire was a center for making textiles, shoes, and paper.

Alumni Hall 1889 Sun
Alumni Hall 1889 Sun

The Amoskeag Manufacturing Company in Manchester was once the largest cotton plant in the world. Many immigrants, especially French Canadians, moved there for these jobs.

NH ancestry
NH ancestry

After World War II, the economy changed. Now, the state focuses on high-tech jobs, education, and finance.

Dartmouth College campus - Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate 51
Dartmouth College campus - Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate 51

It is also known for its politics. New Hampshire holds the first primary in the U.S. presidential election cycle. This makes the state very important for people running for president.

New Hampshire has a unique way of handling money. It is one of nine states without an income tax.

Concord New Hampshire state house 20041229
Concord New Hampshire state house 20041229

There are also no taxes on sales or capital gains. Instead, the state relies on local property taxes to pay for things like schools. The state is also known for being very wealthy and well-educated.

Thompson Hall, UNH Sunset
Thompson Hall, UNH Sunset

Visitors often come for the beautiful fall colors or to see the lakes. Some enjoy motorsports at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Mack's Apples in October 2021 7
Mack's Apples in October 2021 7

Others enjoy summer cottages along the seacoast. The state remains a popular place for outdoor fun.

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🖼️ Images & Media (30)
File:New Hampshire state coat of arms (illustrated, 1876).jpg
New Hampshire state coat of arms...
File:Lwod House.jpg
Lwod House.jpg
File:Site of first house in New Hampshire, present mansion constructed in 1750, by Gov. W. B. Wentworth (NYPL Hades-247509-423903).jpg
Site of first house in New Hampshire,...
File:KingstonNH JosiahBartlettHouse.jpg
KingstonNH JosiahBartlettHouse.jpg
File:National-atlas-new-hampshire.png
National-atlas-new-hampshire.png
File:New Hampshire Shaded Relief 5.jpg
New Hampshire Shaded Relief 5.jpg
File:Mt. Washington from Bretton Woods.JPG
Mt. Washington from Bretton Woods.JPG
File:Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains.jpg
Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains.jpg
File:Old Man of the Mountain 4-26-03 (cropped).jpg
Old Man of the Mountain 4-26-03 (cropped).jpg
File:Manch-DownTown.jpg
Manch-DownTown.jpg
New Hampshire population pyramid.webp
File:New Hampshire population density 2020.png
New Hampshire population density 2020.png

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