Outline of Delaware
Delaware is the second smallest state of the United States. Only Rhode Island has a smaller area. And only five states-Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming-have fewer people. Delaware lies close to many of the nation's largest industrial cities. The Delaware River, and networks of canals, highways, and railroads, carry products from Delaware to Baltimore, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
Delaware lies along the Atlantic coastline. It shares the Delmarva Peninsula with parts of Maryland and Virginia. Most of Delaware lies in a low, flat, coastal plain. Rolling hills and valleys of the Piedmont region cover the northern tip of the state.
About 200,000 companies are incorporated in Delaware. They include many of the largest U.S. firms. Delaware's business laws favor corporations. It is easier and less expensive to incorporate in Delaware than in most other states-even for companies that do most of their business outside of Delaware. Several of the nation's biggest chemical companies have headquarters and research laboratories in or near Wilmington, the state's largest city. These firms include E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, one of the world's largest chemical manufacturers and marketers. Wilmington is also one of the nation's leading banking centers. Dover is the capital of Delaware.
Coastline of Delaware is 28 miles (45 kilometers) long from Maryland to the mouth of Delaware Bay. If bays, creeks, rivers, and sounds are included, the coastline measures 381 miles (613 kilometers). A long sand reef forms the Atlantic coastline. This dune-covered strip of land is a popular vacation region. An inlet divides the reef near its center, leading into Rehoboth and Indian River bays.
Ocean ships sail across Delaware Bay to reach the Delaware River. Rehoboth and Indian River bays lie within the great sand reef in southeastern Delaware. Many of the state's more than 50 small lakes and ponds have good beaches and provide excellent freshwater fishing.
Delaware's many freshwater lakes and ponds, its ocean beaches, and its rivers and streams provide excellent fishing, swimming, and boating. A variety of cultural and historical attractions also bring large numbers of visitors to the state. One of Delaware's most popular annual events is the Delaware State Fair. This event is held in Harrington near the end of July.
Delaware is the only state in which counties are divided into areas called hundreds. Delaware is also the only state in which the legislature can amend the state Constitution without the approval of the voters.
In 1610, a ship from the Virginia colony sailed into what is now called Delaware Bay. The captain named the bay De La Warr Bay for Lord De La Warr, the governor of Virginia. Delaware is known as the First State, because on Dec. 7, 1787, it became the first state to ratify (approve) the United States Constitution.
