Vermont Facts
Vermont is a northeastern state known for its forested landscape, covered bridges, ski slopes, and maple syrup.
It’s one of the smallest and least populated states in the nation, but Vermont still has many popular attractions, including national parks, museums, and ski resorts.
Quick Facts
Capital: Montpelier
Population: 624,000
Nickname: The Green Mountain State
Key Cities: Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland, Essex Junction
Postal Abbreviation: VT
Major Industries: Manufacturing, agriculture, service industry, energy, technology
History
How did Vermont get its name: In 1647, French explorer Samuel de Champlain drew a map that included the area now known as Vermont.
On his map, he wrote “Verd Mont” (meaning “green mountain”) to label the Green Mountains.
The English form of this name, Vermont, was eventually given to the state.
Date admitted to the Union: Friday, March 4, 1791
Geography
Size: 9,616 sq. miles
Lowest point: Lake Champlain at 95 ft.
Highest point: Mansfield at 4,393 ft.
Counties: 14
Famous locations: Mount Mansfield, Lake Champlain, Shelburne Museum, Killington Ski Resort, Green Mountain National Forest
Famous Vermonters
Calvin Coolidge- president
JoJo- singer
John Deere- inventor/entrepreneur
Susan Bennett- voice actress
Alex Farnham- YouTube star
Grace Potter- singer
Fun Facts
Vermont became the fourteenth state in the U.S. in 1791.
It was the first state admitted after the original thirteen colonies and the first state to join the Union after the Constitution was officially adopted.
Before that, it was known as the Vermont Republic and had its own system of money called Vermont coppers.
Next time you pour maple syrup on your pancakes, thank the state of Vermont.
It’s the number one producer of maple syrup in the U.S., producing over 500,000 gallons a year!
There aren’t many people in Vermont: The only state with a smaller population is Wyoming.
And with a population of 7,787, Montpelier is the smallest capital city in the United States.
It’s also the only U.S. state capital without a McDonald’s.
The popular ice cream Ben & Jerry’s is headquartered in Waterbury, Vermont.
Visitors can take a 30-minute tour of the factory, sample ice cream flavors, and visit the Flavor Graveyard, which honors Ben and Jerry’s ice cream flavors that are no longer produced.
The company donates ice cream waste to local Vermont farmers, who feed it to their hogs (except Mint Oreo—the hogs don’t like that one).
Billboard advertising is illegal in Vermont. Along with Maine, Hawaii, and Alaska, the state has banned commercial billboards.
