& A Whole Lot of Firsts

Vermont State Facts

– In 1791, Vermont joined the United States as the 14th state, the first in addition to the original 13 colonies.

– Vermont’s nickname is the “Green Mountain State,” from the French “les monts vert.”

– The capital of Vermont is Montpelier, the smallest state capital in the U.S, and the only capital without a McDonald’s restaurant.

– For travel industry stats and economic information, check out this fact sheet.

– Vermont is home to a number of firsts.

– In 1968, Vermont banned billboards.

People

– There are about 626,000 Vermont residents across Vermont’s 251 towns and cities.

– Vermont’s largest city is Burlington, with a population of about 42,000.

– Vermont ranks 49th among U.S. states in population and 43rd in land area.

– Vermont was first to abolish slavery in its constitution.

– Vermont was the first State to legally recognize gay couples when it created civil unions, and it’s the first state to pass marriage equality through the legislature.

– It is the birthplace of two U.S. Presidents - Calvin Coolidge and Chester A. Arthur.

– Vermont is one of the top producers of U.S. Olympic skiers and riders in the nation.

– For innovative Vermonters and their businesses and inventions, check out the 100 Innovations Made in Vermont list.

Food & Agritourism

– Vermont is the lead producer of maple syrup, producing 1.3 million gallons, more than a third of the nation’s total maple syrup in 2013.

– Vermont has nearly 1,000 dairy farms; the average farm has 130 cows.

– Vermont is the nation’s number one Brewery State per capita, with more than 35 breweries.

Land & Wildlife

– Vermont’s land area is 9,217 square miles - 76 percent is forested.

– Vermont is home to the highest concentration of sugar maple trees in the U.S, responsible for creating deep fiery reds and oranges of fall foliage.

– Lake Champlain covers 435 square miles, 212 miles of Vermont shoreline and is home to “Champ,” the fabled “lake monster.

– Vermont has 808 lakes and ponds and more than 7,000 miles of rivers and streams.

– Vermont has 223 mountains over 2,000 feet in elevation. Vermont’s highest peak is Mount Mansfield at 4,393 feet.

– Vermont is home to 3,000 moose, 6,000 black bears and 45-50,000 turkeys.

– Vermont's waters are home to more than 20 popular species of fish.

– Vermont is home to the world’s largest “deep hole” granite quarry and North America’s first marble quarry.

Recreation

– Vermont has more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails.

– Vermont is home to the nation’s first through-hiking trail, the 272 mile Long Trail.

– There are more than 50 state parks, 100 campgrounds and 8,000 campsites.

– There are 19 downhill ski areas, nine with more than a 2,000-foot vertical drop, and more than 30 cross-country ski areas.

– Vermont has 18 mountain biking clubs and a statewide network of trails.

– Vermont is home to the nation’s first ski tow and is Burton Snowboards headquarters.

– There are more than 6,000 miles of snowmobile trails.

– Vermont has more than 65 golf courses.

– There are more than 100 covered bridges.

Official State Recognitions

– The State Bird is the hermit thrush.

– The State Coldwater Fish is the brook trout.

– The State Warmwater Fish is the walleye pike.

– The State Insect is the honeybee.

– The State Rocks are, marble, granite and slate.

– The State Gem is the grossular garnet.

– The State Animal is the Morgan Horse.

– The State Sports are skiing & snowboarding.

– State Tree – sugar maple.

– State Fruit & State Pie – apple!

– The State Motto is “Freedom and Unity.”