Delaware was named for Lord de la Warr.
He was the first governor of Virginia.
The Blue Hen chicken is the official state bird.
The hens were noted for their fighting ability.
Delaware is sometimes referred to as the 'Blue Hen State'.
The Lady Bug is the official state bug.
Delaware is bounded to the north by
Pennsylvania,
to the east by the Delaware River,
Delaware Bay,
New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean and to the west
and south by Maryland.
Delaware is subdivided into
three counties: from north to south, New Castle,
Kent County and Sussex.
It is the only state without any National Park System.
There are no units such as national parks,
seashores, historic sites,
battlefields, memorials, or monuments.
It is only 96 miles long and varies from 9 to 35 miles in width,
with an area of 1982 square miles.
The Delaware state flag
has a background of colonial blue surrounding a diamond of
buff color in which the coat of arms of the state is placed.
Below the diamond are the words "December 7 1787"
indicating the day on which
was the 1st state to ratify the United States constitution.
Because of this action,
Delaware is called 'The
First State',
and is, therefore, accorded the first position in such
national events as presidential inaugurations.
The state's motto, "Liberty and Independence"
is inscribed on the coat of arms, which is incorporated
into both the state seal and the state flag.
Before Delaware was settled by
European colonists, the area was home to the
Algonquian tribes known as the Unami Lenape or
the Delaware throughout the Delaware valley,
and the Nanticoke along the rivers leading into the Chesapeake Bay.
Today, about 500 descendants of the original Nanticoke inhabitants
still reside in Delaware.
They celebrate their heritage each
September with the Nanticoke Pow Wow.
WEATHER
Delaware is a part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain,
and therefore the climate is heavily moderated by the effects of the ocean.
Delawareis the 2nd~smallest state in the
United States
(Rhode Island is the smallest).
Despite its small size,
there is significant variation in mean temperature and amount of
snowfall between Sussex County and New Castle County.
The southern portion of the State has a somewhat milder
climate and a longer growing season than the
northern portion of the State.
All parts of Delaware have relatively
hot, humid
summers.
ECONOMY
The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce
is the largest, most influential business organization in the state.
Their mission is to promote an economic climate that strengthens
the competitiveness of Delaware businesses and benefits citizens
of the state.
Through programs, legislative advocacy, publications,
small~business services and special networking events,
the Chamber continually provides an enriched environment
for businesses and communities to grow.
Delaware's agricultural output
consists of poultry, nursery stock, soybeans, dairy products
and corn.
Industrial outputs include chemical products,
processed foods, paper products, and rubber and plastic products.
Delaware's economy generally outperforms the national economy
of the United States.
Dover Air Force Base, located in the state capital of Dover,
is one of the largest Air Force bases in the country.
This makes it
one of the state's major employers.
Delaware does not assess a
state~level tax on real or personal property.
Real estate is subject to county property taxes,
school district property taxes, vocational school district taxes,
and, if located within an incorporated area, municipal property taxes.
The state does not assess sales tax on consumers.
The state does, however, impose a tax on the gross receipts
of most businesses.
SCHOOLS
Unlike many states, Delaware's
educational system is centralized in a state Superintendent
of Education, with local school boards retaining control
over taxation and some curriculum decisions.
For more details please contact the
Delaware Department of Education.
HOSPITALITY
While Delaware has no places
designated as national parks,
national seashores, national battlefields, national memorials,
or national monuments, it does have several
National Historic Landmarks.
In addition, there are a number of other places of interest
such as botanical gardens, museums, wildlife refuges, parks,
houses, lighthouses, and other historic places.
Experience the wonder and diversity the 'First State' has to offer.
Delaware, it’s good being first.
Shop tax~free at Delaware’s brand name outlet stores,
boutiques and antique shops.
Escape to “Chateau Country” for riveting landscapes made
famous by Andrew Wyeth’s paintings. Watch the sun rise over the
ocean at the Great Dune near Lewes and a great blue heron as
it takes flight from the marshlands of Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge.
Retrace history along the Nanticoke and Broad Creek
rivers with the Cpt. John Smith Reenactment Voyage.
Dover is home to one of the most
beautifully preserved capital complexes in the nation,
captured by the First State Heritage Park.
Old New Castle is a charming town to visit with its
original cobblestone streets, colonial homes and guided
historical tours. The coastal town of Lewes
tells the story of Delaware’s
seafaring past that dates
back to the 1600s.
Delaware also boasts the longest
twin span suspension bridge in the world.
For more details please contact
Delaware State Tourism.
NEWS