Outline of Vermont
Vermont, a New England state of the United States, is famous for its Green Mountains. These tree-covered peaks run the entire length of central Vermont. They divide the state into eastern and western sections. The beauty of the Green Mountains helps make Vermont one of the most scenic states. Every year, the mountains attract thousands of skiers and other tourists. Montpelier is the capital of Vermont, and Burlington is the state's largest city.
Vermont has the lowest percentage of city dwellers of any state in the United States. Only three Vermont cities have more than 15,000 people. They are Burlington, Rutland, and South Burlington. Vermont has the smallest population of any state that lies east of the Mississippi River. The state ranks 49th among all the states in population. The only state that has fewer people than Vermont is Wyoming.
Forests cover about three-fourths of Vermont, and a variety of mineral deposits lie under the ground. These natural resources provide the raw materials for two of the state's manufacturing industries-wood processing and stone processing. Trees from Vermont's forests supply maple syrup, and wood for making paper, furniture, and many other products. Vermont granite and marble are used in buildings, memorials, and tombs. Slate is used for roofing and for other purposes.
The many tourists who visit Vermont help benefit the state's service industries. Service industries, such as retail trade and finance, combine to employ about two-thirds of Vermont's workers. Manufacturing is also important to Vermont. Computer components are the state's leading manufactured product.
Vermont is the only New England state without a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. However, water borders more than half the state. The Connecticut River forms Vermont's entire eastern border. Lake Champlain extends along the northern half of the western border of Vermont. In addition to the Green Mountains, Vermont has many other mountainous and hilly areas. These include the Northeast Highlands and the Taconic Mountains.
More than a fourth of Vermont's people live in the Burlington metropolitan area. Burlington is the largest city in the state. It has more than twice as many people as Rutland, the second largest city. Vermont's seven other cities, in order of size, are South Burlington, Barre, Montpelier, St. Albans, Winooski, Newport, and Vergennes. Essex, the largest unincorporated place in Vermont, has more people than any city except Burlington. Vermont has 39 villages and 242 towns.
Vermont's mountains, lakes, and streams offer a variety of recreational activities. Visitors to the Green Mountains can hike on the Long Trail. This footpath winds through the mountains from Massachusetts to Canada. Overnight camps lie along the trail every 6 to 8 miles (10 to 13 kilometers). In winter, tourists flock to ski resorts in the Green Mountains and other ranges. The largest ski resorts are near East Burke, Jay, Manchester, Rutland, Stowe, Waitsfield, and Wilmington. The skiing season usually lasts from mid-December to mid-April. Visitors also enjoy summer boating on the larger lakes and fishing in the state's many streams.
The word Vermont comes from Vert Mont, the French words for Green Mountain. Vermont's nickname is the Green Mountain State. Early in the Revolutionary War, Vermont's Green Mountain Boys, led by Ethan Allen, gained fame for their capture of Fort Ticonderoga from the British. But Vermont was not admitted to the newly formed United States after the war. It remained an independent republic until about 10 years after the last battle. Then, on March 4, 1791, Vermont entered the Union as the 14th state. It was the first state admitted to the Union after the 13 original colonies.
