This article is about the U.S. state of Connecticut. For the river see Connecticut River. For other uses see Connecticut (disambiguation). State of Connecticut Flag Seal Nickname(s): The Constitution State The Nutmeg State The Provisions State The Land of Steady Habits12 Motto(s): Qui transtulit sustinet.1 (Latin) Official language(s) None Demonym Connecticuter3 Nutmegger4 Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport5 Largest metro area Greater Hartford6 Area  Ranked 48th in the U.S.  - Total 5543 sq mi (14357 km2)  - Width 70 miles (113 km)  - Length 110 miles (177 km)  - % water 12.6  - Latitude 4058 N to 4203 N  - Longitude 7147 W to 7344 W Population  Ranked 29th in the U.S.  - Total 3518288 (2009 est.)7 3405565 (2000) - Density 702.9/sq mi  (271.40/km2) Ranked 4th in the U.S.  - Median income  $68595 (3rd) Elevation    - Highest point South slope of Mount Frissell8 Note: The summit of Mount Frissell is in Massachusetts 2380 ft  (726 m)  - Mean 500 ft  (152 m)  - Lowest point Long Island Sound8 0 ft  (0 m) Before statehood Connecticut Colony Admission to Union  January 9 1788 (5th) Governor Dannel Malloy (D) Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman (D) Legislature General Assembly  - Upper house Senate  - Lower house House of Representatives U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman (ID) Richard Blumenthal (D) U.S. House delegation 5 Democrats (list) Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4 Abbreviations CT Conn. US-CT Website ct.gov

Connecticut (i /kntkt/)9 is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east Massachusetts to the north the state of New York to the west and by the Long Island Sound to the south.

Named for the Connecticut River the major U.S. river that approximately bisects the state Connecticut's capital city is Hartford. The Knowledge Corridor surrounding Hartford and Springfield Massachusetts the latter of which lies only 5 miles north of the Connecticut state line constitute New England's second most populous metropolitan region (with approximately 1.8 million residents and 110000 university students.) 10 Southwestern Connecticut is considered part of the New York metropolitan area; three of Connecticut's eight counties are in the New York City combined statistical area commonly called the Tri-State area. Connecticut's center of population is in Cheshire New Haven County.11

Connecticut is the 29th most populous state with 3.5 million residents and is ranked 48th in size by area making it the 4th most densely populated state. Called the Constitution State Nutmeg State and "The Land of Steady Habits"1 Connecticut was influential in the development of the federal government of the United States.

Connecticut's first European settlers were Dutch and established a small short-lived settlement in present-day Hartford at the confluence of the Park and Connecticut rivers called Huys de Goede Hoop. Initially half of Connecticut was a part of the Dutch colony New Netherland which included much of the land between the Connecticut and Delaware rivers.

The first major settlements were established in the 1630s by the English. Thomas Hooker led a band of followers overland from the Massachusetts Bay Colony and founded what would become the Connecticut Colony; other settlers from Massachusetts founded the Saybrook Colony and the New Haven Colony. Both the Connecticut and New Haven Colonies established documents of Fundamental Orders considered the first constitutions in North America. In 1662 the three colonies were merged under a royal charter making Connecticut a crown colony. This colony was one of the Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution.

The Connecticut River Thames River and ports along the Long Island Sound have given the state a strong maritime tradition which continues today. Connecticut's other traditional industry is financial services; for example insurance companies in Hartford and hedge funds in Fairfield county. As of the 2010 Census Connecticut features the highest per capita income Human Development Index (0.962) and median household income in the United States.121314 Although Connecticut is a wealthy state by most measures the income gap between its urban and suburban areas is striking with several of Connecticut's cities ranking among the nation's poorest and most dangerous.1516 Contents 1 Geography 1.1 Climate 2 History 3 Demographics 3.1 Most populated cities 3.2 Race ancestry and language 3.3 Religion 4 Economy 4.1 Taxation 4.2 Real estate 4.3 Industries 5 Transportation 5.1 Roads 5.2 Public transportation 5.2.1 Rail 5.2.2 Bus 5.2.3 Air 6 Law and government 6.1 Constitutional history 6.2 Executive 6.3 Legislative 6.4 Judicial 6.5 Local government 6.6 Same-sex marriage 7 Politics 8 Education 9 Sports 9.1 Current professional sports teams 10 Names and symbols 11 Famous residents 12 See also 13 References 14 External links 15 Related information Geography Further information: Geology of Connecticut New Haven New London Hartford Stamford

Connecticut is bordered on the south by Long Island Sound on the west by New York State on the north by Massachusetts and on the east by Rhode Island. The state capital is Hartford and other major cities (by population) include Bridgeport New Haven Stamford Waterbury Norwalk Danbury New Britain and Bristol. There are 169 incorporated towns in Connecticut. Bear Mountain highest peak in Connecticut.

The highest peak in Connecticut is Bear Mountain in Salisbury in the northwest corner of the state. The highest point is just east of where Connecticut Massachusetts and New York meet (42 3' N; 73 29' W) on the southern slope of Mount Frissell whose peak lies nearby in Massachusetts.17

The Connecticut River cuts through the center of the state flowing into Long Island Sound. The state's most populous metropolitan region the Knowledge Corridor lies in the Connecticut River Valley. Despite Connecticut's relatively small size it features wide regional variations in its landscape; for example in the northwestern Litchfield Hills it features rolling mountains and horse farms whereas in the southeastern New London County it features beaches and maritime activities. Although Connecticut has a long maritime history and a reputation based on that history Connecticut has no direct access to the sea. The jurisdiction of New York actually extends east at Fishers Island where New York shares a sea border with Rhode Island dividing Narragansett Bay. Although Connecticut has easy access to the Atlantic between Long Island Sound and Block Island Sound Connecticut has no direct ocean coast. Further information: List of Connecticut rivers Highest point in Connecticut on slope of Mount Frissell as seen from Bear Mountain. Connecticut's rural areas and small towns in the northeast and northwest corners of the state contrast sharply with its industrial cities located along the coastal highways from the New York border to New London then northward up the Connecticut River to Hartford. Many towns center around a "green" such as the Litchfield Green Simsbury Green Lebanon Green (the largest in the state) and Wethersfield Green (the oldest in the state). Near the green typically stand historical visual symbols of New England towns such as a white church a colonial meeting house a colonial tavern or "inne" several colonial houses and so on establishing a scenic historic appearance maintained for both historic preservation and tourism. Connecticut consists of temperate broadleaf and mixed forests. Northeastern coastal forests of oaks hickories and maple cover much of the state.18 In the northwest these give way to New England-Acadian forests of the Taconic Mountains.18 Further information: List of Connecticut state forests The northern boundary of the state with Massachusetts is marked by the distinctive Southwick Jog or Granby Notch an approximately 2.5 mile (4.0 km) square detour into Connecticut. The actual origin of this anomaly is clearly established in a long line of disputes and temporary agreements which was finally concluded in 1804 when southern Southwick (whose residents sought to leave Massachusetts) was split in half.1920 The southwestern border of Connecticut where it abuts New York State is marked by a panhandle in Fairfield County containing the towns of Greenwich Stamford New Canaan Darien and part of Norwalk. This irregularity in the boundary is the result of territorial disputes in the late 17th century culminating with New York giving up its claim to the area whose residents considered themselves part of Connecticut in exchange for an equivalent area extending northwards from Ridgefield to the Massachusetts border as well as undisputed claim to Rye New York.21 Further information: Connecticut Panhandle Areas maintained by the National Park Service include: Appalachian National Scenic Trail; Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor; and Weir Farm National Historic Site.22 The Scoville Memorial Libraries collection began in 1771 when Richard Smith owner of a local blast furnace used community contributions to buy 200 books in London. Patrons could borrow and return books on the third Monday of every third month. Fees were collected for damages the most common being "greasing" by wax dripped from the candles by which the patrons read. Climate Interior portions of Connecticut have a humid continental climate while other parts especially the Connecticut shoreline (southern four counties) have a humid subtropical climate with seasonal extremes tempered by proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The city of Bridgeport (on Long Island Sound) like most other areas in metropolitan New York has a humid subtropical climate under the Koppen Climate Classification system. Hartford (35 miles inland) has a humid continental climate. Consistent with its coastal reputation Connecticut is a moderately sunny state averaging between 2400 and 2800 hours of sunshine annually.23 Winters are generally considered to be cold with average temperatures ranging from 31 F (1 C) in the maritime influenced southeast to 23 F (5 C) in the northwest in January. The average yearly snowfall is about 25100" (64254 cm) across the state with higher totals in the northwest. Spring has variable temperatures with frequent rainfall. Summer is hot and humid throughout the state with average highs in New London of 81 F (27 C) and 87 F (31 C) in Windsor Locks. Fall months are mild and bring colorful foliage across the state in October and November. During hurricane season tropical cyclones occasionally affect the region. Thunderstorms are most frequent during the summer occurring on average 30 times annually. These storms can be severe and the state usually averages one tornado per year.24 Connecticut's warmest temperature is 106 F (41 C) which occurred in Danbury on July 15 1995; the coldest temperature is 32 F (36 C) which occurred in Falls Village on February 16 1943 and Coventry on January 22 1961.25 Monthly Normal High and Median Temperatures for Various Connecticut Cities City Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Bridgeport 37/23 39/25 47/32 57/41 67/51 76/60 82/66 81/65 74/58 63/46 53/38 42/28 Hartford 34/17 38/20 48/28 60/38 72/48 80/57 85/62 82/61 74/52 63/41 51/33 39/23 26 History This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2007) This section requires expansion. Main article: History of Connecticut A map of the Connecticut New Haven and Saybrook colonies. The name of the state is an Anglicized version of the Algonquian word "quinatucquet" meaning "upon the long river".27 The Connecticut region was inhabited by the Mohegan tribe prior to European colonization. The first European explorer in Connecticut was the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block. After he explored this region in 1614 Dutch fur traders sailed up the Connecticut River (then known by the Dutch as Versche Rivier" Fresh River") and built a fort at Dutch Point in what is present-day Hartford which they called "House of Hope" (Dutch: Huis van Hoop). John Winthrop then of Massachusetts received permission to create a new colony at Old Saybrook at the mouth of the Connecticut River in 1635. This was the first of three distinct colonies that later would be combined to make up Connecticut. Saybrook Colony was a direct challenge to Dutch claims. The colony was not more than a small outpost and never matured. In 1644 the Saybrook Colony merged itself into the Connecticut Colony. The first English settlers came in 1633 and settled at Windsor and then at Wethersfield the following year.28 However the main body of settlers came in one large group in 1636. The settlers were Puritans from Massachusetts led by Thomas Hooker. Hooker had been prominent in England and was a professor of theology at Cambridge. He was also an important political writer and made a significant contribution to Constitutional theory. He broke with the political leadership in Massachusetts and just as Roger Williams created a new polity in Rhode Island Hooker and his cohort did the same and established the Connecticut Colony at Hartford in 1636. This was the second of the three colonies. The third colony was founded in March 1638. New Haven Colony (originally known as the Quinnipiack Colony) was established by John Davenport Theophilus Eaton and others at New Haven. The New Haven Colony had its own constitution "The Fundamental Agreement of the New Haven Colony" which was signed on June 4 1639. Because the Dutch were outnumbered by the flood of English settlers from Massachusetts they left their fort in 1654. Neither the establishment of the Connecticut Colony or the Quinnipiack Colony was carried out with the sanction of the English Crown and they were independent political entities. They naturally were presumptively English but in a legal sense they were only secessionist outposts of Massachusetts Bay. In 1662 Winthrop took advantage of this void in political affairs and obtained in England the charter by which the colonies of Connecticut and Quinnipiack were united. Although Winthrop's charter favored the Connecticut colony New Haven remained a seat of government with Hartford until after the American Revolution. Winthrop was very politically astute and secured the charter from the newly restored Charles II who granted the most liberal political terms. Historically important colonial settlements included: Windsor (1633) Wethersfield (1634) Saybrook (1635) Hartford (1636) New Haven (1638) Fairfield (1639) Guilford (1639) Milford (1639) Stratford (1639) Farmington (1640) Stamford (1641) New London (1646) Its first constitution the "Fundamental Orders" was adopted on January 14 1639 while its current constitution the third for Connecticut was adopted in 1965. Connecticut is the fifth of the original 13 states. The original constitutions influenced the US Constitution as one of the leading authors was Roger Sherman of New Haven. The western boundaries of Connecticut have been subject to change over time. According to the Hartford Treaty with the Dutch signed on September 19 1650 but never ratified by the British the western boundary of Connecticut ran north from Greenwich Bay for a distance of 20 miles2930 "provided the said line come not within 10 miles (16 km) 16 km of Hudson River. This agreement was observed by both sides until war erupted between England and The Netherlands in 1652. No other limits were found. Conflict over uncertain colonial limits continued until the Duke of York captured New Netherland in 1664."2930 On the other hand Connecticut's original Charter in 1662 granted it all the land to the "South Sea" i.e. the Pacific Ocean.3132 Most colonial royal grants were for long east-west strips. Connecticut took its grant seriously and established a ninth county between the Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers named Westmoreland County. This resulted in the brief Pennamite Wars with Pennsylvania. Connecticut's lands also extended across northern Ohio called the Western Reserve lands. The Western Reserve section was settled largely by people from Connecticut and they brought Connecticut place names to Ohio. Agreements with Pennsylvania and New York extinguished the land claims by Connecticut within its neighbors and the Western Reserve lands were relinquished to the federal government which brought the state to its present boundaries. Demographics Historical populations Census Pop. % 1790 237946 1800 251002 5.5% 1810 261942 4.4% 1820 275248 5.1% 1830 297675 8.1% 1840 309978 4.1% 1850 370792 19.6% 1860 460147 24.1% 1870 537454 16.8% 1880 622700 15.9% 1890 746258 19.8% 1900 908420 21.7% 1910 1114756 22.7% 1920 1380631 23.9% 1930 1606903 16.4% 1940 1709242 6.4% 1950 2007280 17.4% 1960 2535234 26.3% 1970 3031709 19.6% 1980 3107576 2.5% 1990 3287116 5.8% 2000 3405565 3.6% 2010 3574097 4.9% Sources:333435 Connecticut Population Density Map. As of 2005 Connecticut has an estimated population of 351029736 which is an increase of 11331 or 0.3% from the prior year and an increase of 104695 or 3.1% since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 67427 people (that is 222222 births minus 154795 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 41718 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 75991 people and migration within the country produced a net loss of 34273 people. Based on the 2005 estimates Connecticut moves from the 29th most populous state to 30th.36 6.6% of its population was reported as being under 5 years old 24.7% under 18 years old and 13.8% were 65 years of age or older. Females made up approximately 51.6% of the population with 48.4% male. In 1790 97% of the population in Connecticut was classified as "rural". The first census in which less than half the population was classified as rural was 1890. In the 2000 census it was only 12.3%. Most of western and southern Connecticut (particularly the Gold Coast) is strongly associated with New York City; this area is the most affluent and populous region of the state. Eastern Connecticut is more culturally influenced by the greater New England area including the cities of Boston and Providence. The center of population of Connecticut is located in the town of Cheshire.37 Most populated cities Bridgeport New Haven Hartford Stamford Waterbury Norwalk Danbury New Britain Race ancestry and language Demographics of Connecticut (csv) By race White Black AIAN* Asian NHPI* 2000 (total population) 87.09% 10.46% 0.73% 2.83% 0.13% 2000 (Hispanic only) 8.31% 1.04% 0.14% 0.07% 0.04% 2005 (total population) 86.09% 10.88% 0.76% 3.56% 0.15% 2005 (Hispanic only) 9.74% 1.09% 0.16% 0.07% 0.05% Growth 200005 (total population) 1.89% 7.19% 6.59% 29.77% 15.41% Growth 200005 (non-Hispanic only) -0.11% 7.16% 3.74% 30.12% 16.21% Growth 200005 (Hispanic only) 20.87% 7.40% 18.36% 14.98% 13.68% * AIAN is American Indian or Alaskan Native; NHPI is Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander As of 2004 11.4% of the population (400000) was foreign-born and 10% of the foreign-born in the state were illegal aliens (about 1.1% of the population). In 1870 native-born Americans had accounted for 75% of the state's population but that had dropped to 35% by 1918. As of 2000 81.69% of Connecticut residents age 5 and older spoke English at home and 8.42% spoke Spanish followed by Italian at 1.59% French at 1.31% and Polish at 1.20%.38 The largest ancestry groups are:39 19.3% Italian 17.9% Irish 10.7% English 10.4% German 8.6% Polish 6.6% French 3.0% French Canadian 2.7% American 2.1% Russian 2.1% West Indian 2.0% Scottish 1.9% Swedish 1.6% Portuguese 1.4% Scotch Irish 1.3% Hungarian 1.0% Lithuanian Connecticut has large Italian American Irish American and English American populations as well as German American and Portuguese American populations second highest percentage of any state behind Rhode Island (19.3%). Italian is the largest ancestry group in five of the state's counties while the Irish are the largest group in Tolland county French Canadians the largest group in Windham county. African Americans and Hispanics (mostly Puerto Ricans) are numerous in the urban areas of the state. Like Ohio and New York Connecticut is also known for its relatively large Hungarian American population the majority of which live in and around Fairfield Stamford Naugatuck and Bridgeport. Connecticut also has a sizable Polish American population with New Britain containing the largest Polish American population in the state. More recent immigrant populations include those from India Laos Vietnam Thailand Indonesia Mexico Brazil Guatemala Panama Jamaica Haiti Cape Verde and former Soviet countries. Religion A 2001 survey of Connecticut residents' religious self-identification showed the following distribution of affiliations:40 Protestant 40% Baptist 10% Other Christian 7% Episcopal 6% Methodist 4% Lutheran 4% Other Protestant or general 9% Roman Catholic 32% Non-religious 12% No answer 6% Other religions (Including Hinduism Buddhism Jainism Sikhism and so on.) 4% Jewish 3% Congregational/United Church of Christ 2% Latter-Day Saint 2% Churches of Christ 2% Presbyterian 1% Pentecostal 1% Assembly of God 1% Non-denominational 1% Muslim 1% Jewish congregations had 108280 (3.2%) members in 2000;41 The Jewish population is concentrated in the towns near Long Island Sound between Greenwich and New Haven in Greater New Haven and in Greater Hartford especially the suburb of West Hartford. According to the Association of Religion Data Archives the largest Christian denominations by number of adherents in 2000 were: the Catholic Church with 1372562; the United Church of Christ with 124770; and the Episcopal Church with 73550.41 Recent immigration has brought other non-Christian religions to the state but the numbers of adherents of other religions are still low. Connecticut is also home to New England's largest Protestant Church: The First Cathedral in Bloomfield Connecticut located in Hartford County. Hartford is seat to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford which is sovereign over the Diocese of Bridgeport and the Diocese of Norwich. Economy Connecticut welcome sign being updated as Rell takes office on July 1 2004. Connecticut state welcome sign. Entering Enfield CT. Entering the Merritt Parkway from New York. Entering Greenwich CT. The total gross state product for 2006 was $204 billion. The per capita income for 2007 was $54117 ranking first among the states.42 There is however a great disparity in incomes throughout the state; although New Canaan has one of the highest per capita incomes in America Hartford is one of the ten cities with the lowest per capita incomes in America. As with Bridgeport New Haven and other cities in the state Hartford is surrounded by wealthier suburbs. New Canaan is the wealthiest town in Connecticut with a per capita income of $85459. Darien Greenwich Weston Westport and Wilton also have per capita incomes over $65000. Hartford is the poorest municipality in Connecticut with a per capita income of $13428 in 2000.43 There are other lower-income and blue-collar towns mostly parts of towns in the eastern part of the State. Taxation Prior to 1991 Connecticut had an investment-only income tax system. Income from employment was untaxed but income from investments was taxed at 13% the highest rate in the U.S. with no deductions allowed for costs of producing the investment income such as interest on borrowing. In 1991 under Governor Lowell P. Weicker Jr. an Independent the system was changed to one in which the taxes on employment income and investment income were equalized at a maximum rate of 4%. Since then Greenwich Connecticut has become the headquarters for a large number of America's largest hedge funds. As of 2009 the income tax rates on Connecticut individuals are divided into three tax brackets of 3% 5% and 6.5%.44 All wages of Connecticut residents are subject to the state's income tax even if earned outside the state. However in those cases Connecticut income tax must be withheld only to the extent the Connecticut tax exceeds the amount withheld by the other jurisdiction. Since New York and Massachusetts have higher tax rates than Connecticut this effectively means that Connecticut residents that work in those states have no Connecticut income tax withheld. Connecticut permits a credit for taxes paid to other jurisdictions but since residents who work in other states are still subject to Connecticut income taxation they may owe taxes if the jurisdictional credit does not fully offset the Connecticut tax amount. Connecticut levies a 6% state sales tax on the retail sale lease or rental of most goods. Some items and services in general are not subject to sales and use taxes unless specifically enumerated as taxable by statute. Specifically clothing under $50 is excluded from sales tax. There are no additional sales taxes imposed by local jurisdictions. During the summer there is one week during which sales tax on certain items and quantities of clothing is not imposed in order to assist those with children returning to school. All real and personal property located within the state of Connecticut is taxable unless specifically exempted by statute. All assessments are at 70% of fair market value. Another 20% of the value may be taxed by the local government though. The maximum property tax credit is $500 per return and any excess may not be refunded or carried forward.44 Connecticut does not levy an intangible personal property tax. According to the Tax Foundation the 2010 Census data shows Connecticut residents paying the 2nd highest average property taxes in the nation with only New Jersey ahead of them.45 Real estate Homes in Connecticut vary widely with a median price of approximately $226000. By contrast the median value for a home in Fairfield County for example is about $370000.4647 Connecticut has the most multi-million dollar homes in the Northeast and the second most in the nation after California with 3.3% of homes in Connecticut priced over $1 million in 2003.48 Industries The agricultural produce of the state includes nursery stock; eggs; clams and lobster (shellfish); dairy products; cattle; and tobacco. Its industrial output includes transportation equipment especially helicopters aircraft parts and nuclear submarines; heavy industrial machinery and electrical equipment; military weaponry; fabricated metal products; chemical and pharmaceutical products; and scientific instruments. Due to the prominence of the aircraft industry in the state Connecticut has an official state aircraft the F4U Corsair and an official Connecticut Aviation Pioneer Igor Sikorsky. The state officially recognizes aircraft designer Gustav Whitehead as "Father of Connecticut Aviation" for his research into powered flight in Bridgeport Connecticut in 1901 two years before the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk North Carolina.49 Governor John Dempsey also declared August 15 to be "Gustave Whitehead Day".50 A report issued by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism on December 7 2006 demonstrated that the economic impact of the arts film history and tourism generated more than $14 billion in economic activity and 170000 jobs annually. This provides $9 billion in personal income for Connecticut residents and $1.7 billion in state and local revenue.51 As of November 2010 the state's unemployment rate is 9%.52 Transportation Map of Connecticut showing major highways. Roads The Interstate highways in the state are I-95 (the Connecticut Turnpike) running southwest to northeast along the coast I-84 running southwest to northeast in the center of the state I-91 running north to south in the center of the state and I-395 running north to south near the eastern border of the state. The other major highways in Connecticut are the Merritt Parkway and Wilbur Cross Parkway which together form State Route 15 running from the Hutchinson River Parkway in New York State parallel to I-95 before turning north of New Haven and running parallel to I-91 finally becoming a surface road in Berlin Connecticut. Route 15 and I-95 were originally toll roads; they relied on a system of toll plazas at which all traffic stopped and paid fixed tolls. A series of terrible crashes at these plazas eventually contributed to the decision to remove the tolls in 1988.53 Other major arteries in the state include U.S. Route 7 in the west running parallel to the NY border State Route 8 farther east near the industrial city of Waterbury and running north-south along the Naugatuck River Valley nearly parallel with U.S. 7 and State Route 9 in the east. See List of State Routes in Connecticut for an overview of the state's highway system. Between New Haven and the New York City I-95 is one of the most congested highways in the United States. Many people now drive longer distances to work in the New York City area. This strains the three lanes of traffic capacity resulting in lengthy rush hour delays. Frequently the congestion spills over to clog the parallel Merritt Parkway. The state has encouraged traffic reduction schemes including rail use and ride-sharing.54 Connecticut also has a very active bicycling community with one of the highest rates of bicycling ownership and use in the United States. New Haven's cycling community organized in a local advocacy group called ElmCityCycling is particularly active. According to the U.S. Census 2006 American Community Survey New Haven has the highest percentage of commuters who bicycle to work of any major metropolitan center on the East Coast. Public transportation A Metro-North Railroad New Haven Line train at Stamford. Rail Southwestern Connecticut is served by MTA's Metro-North Railroad New Haven Line providing commuter service to New York City and New Haven with branches servicing New Canaan Danbury and Waterbury. Connecticut lies along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor which features frequent Northeast Regional and Acela Express service. Towns between New Haven and New London are also served by the Shore Line East commuter line. Operation of commuter trains from New Haven to Springfield on Amtrak's New Haven-Springfield Line is under consideration.5556 Amtrak also operates a shuttle service between New Haven and Springfield Massachusetts servicing Hartford and other towns on the corridor. Bus Statewide bus service is supplied by Connecticut Transit owned by the Connecticut Department of Transportation with smaller municipal authorities providing local service. Bus networks are an important part of the transportation system in Connecticut especially in urban areas like Hartford Stamford Norwalk Bridgeport and New Haven. A three-year construction project to build a BRT busway from New Britain to Hartford began in August 2009.5758 Air Bradley International Airport is located in Windsor Locks 15 miles (24 km) north of Hartford. Regional air service is provided at Tweed New Haven Regional Airport. Larger civil airports include Danbury Municipal Airport and Waterbury-Oxford Airport in western Connecticut. Sikorsky Memorial Airport is located in Stratford and mostly services cargo helicopter and private aviation. The Westchester County Airport in Harrison New York serves much of southwestern Connecticut. Law and government See also: Administrative divisions of Connecticut The Connecticut State Capitol in downtown Hartford. Hartford has been the sole capital of Connecticut since 1875. Before then New Haven and Hartford alternated as capitals.59 Constitutional history Main article: History of the Connecticut Constitution Connecticut is known as the "Constitution State". While the origin on this title is uncertain the nickname is assumed to refer to the Fundamental Orders of 163839. These Fundamental Orders represent the framework for the first formal government written by a representative body in Connecticut. The government has operated under the direction of four separate documents in the course of Connecticut Constitutional History. After the Fundamental Orders Connecticut was granted governmental authority by King Charles II of England through the Connecticut Charter of 1662. Separate branches of government did not exist during this period and the General Assembly acted as the supreme authority. A constitution similar to the modern U.S. Constitution was not adopted in Connecticut until 1818. Finally the current state constitution was implemented in 1965. The 1965 constitution absorbed a majority of its 1818 predecessor but incorporated a handful of important modifications. Another possible source of the nickname "constitution state" comes from Connecticut's pivotal role in the federal constitutional convention of 1787 during which Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth helped to orchestrate what became known as the Connecticut Compromise or the Great Compromise. This plan combined the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan to form a bicameral legislature a form copied by almost every state constitution since the adoption of the federal constitution. Executive The governor heads the executive branch. Dan Malloy is the current Governor and Nancy Wyman it is the Lieutenant Governor both are Democrats. Malloy the former mayor of Stamford won the 2010 general election for Governor and was sworn in on January 5 2011. From 1639 until the adoption of the 1818 constitution the governor presided over the General Assembly. Connecticut was the first state in the United States to elect a woman as governor without electing her husband first Ella Grasso in 1974. There are several executive departments: Administrative Services Agriculture Banking Children and Families Consumer Protection Correction Economic and Community Development Developmental Services Education Environmental Protection Higher Education Information Technology Insurance Labor Mental Health and Addiction Services Military Motor Vehicles Public Health Public Safety Public Utility Control Public Works Revenue Services Social Services Transportation and Veterans Affairs. In addition to these departments there are other independent bureaus offices and commissions.60 In addition to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor there are four other executive officers named in the state constitution that are elected directly by voters: Secretary of the State Treasurer Comptroller and Attorney General. All executive officers are elected to four year terms.59 Legislative The legislature is the General Assembly. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of an upper body the State Senate (36 senators); and a lower body the House of Representatives (151 representatives).59 Bills must pass each house in order to become law. The governor can veto the bill but this veto can be overridden by a two-thirds majority in each house. Senators and representatives all of whom must be at least 18 years of age are elected to two-year terms in November on even-numbered years. The Lieutenant Governor presides over the Senate except when absent from the chamber when the President pro tempore presides. The Speaker of the House presides over the House; Chris Donovan is the current Speaker of the House of Connecticut. Connecticut's U.S. senators are Richard Blumenthal (Democrat) and Joseph I. Lieberman (Connecticut for Lieberman Independent Democrat) who is part of the Democratic Caucus. Connecticut currently has five representatives in the U.S. House all of whom are Democrats. Connecticut and Vermont remain the only two states with Independent Senators. Judicial The highest court of Connecticut's judicial branch is the Connecticut Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of Connecticut. The Supreme Court is responsible for deciding on the constitutionality of the law or cases as they relate to the law. Its proceedings are similar to those of the United States Supreme Court with no testimony given by witnesses and the lawyers of the two sides each present oral arguments no longer than thirty minutes. Following a court proceeding the court may take several months to arrive at a judgment. The current Chief Justice is Chase T. Rogers. In 1818 the court became a separate entity independent of the legislative and executive branches.61 The Appellate Court is a lesser state-wide court and the Superior Courts are lower courts that resemble county courts of other states. Local government See also: Administrative divisions of Connecticut and several lists: List of municipalities of Connecticut by population List of towns in Connecticut List of cities in Connecticut Borough (Connecticut) List of counties in Connecticut Connecticut has 169 towns which serve as the fundamental local political subdivision of the state; the entire state is divided into towns.59 Connecticut shares a local form of government with the rest of New England called the New England town. There are also 21 cities59 most of which are coterminous with their namesake towns and have a merged city-town government. There are two exceptions: City of Groton which is a subsection of the Town of Groton and the City of Winsted in the Town of Winchester. There are also nine incorporated boroughs which may provide additional services to a section of town.5962 One Naugatuck is a consolidated town and borough. Unlike most other states Connecticut does not have county government. Connecticut county governments were mostly eliminated in 1960 with the exception of sheriffs elected in each county.63 In 2000 the county sheriff was abolished and replaced with the state marshal system which has districts that follow the old county territories. The judicial system is divided at the trial court level into judicial districts which largely follow the old county lines.64 The eight counties are still widely used for purely geographical and statistical purposes such as weather reports and census reporting. The state is divided into 15 planning regions defined by the state Office of Planning and Management.65 The Intragovernmental Policy Division of this Office coordinates regional planning with the administrative bodies of these regions. Each region has an administrative body known as either a regional council of governments a regional council of elected officials or a regional planning agency. The regions are established for the purpose of planning "coordination of regional and state planning activities; redesignation of logical planning regions and promotion of the continuation of regional planning organizations within the state; and provision for technical aid and the administration of financial assistance to regional planning organizations."65 Same-sex marriage See also: Same-sex marriage in Connecticut On November 12 2008 Connecticut became the second state (after Massachusetts) to allow marriages of same-sex couples. Connecticut was the third state to do so but only the second where the decision was not repealed. Politics Further information: U.S. presidential election 2004 in Connecticut and Political party strength in Connecticut Presidential elections results66 Year Republican Democratic 2008 38.77% 620210 61.23% 979316 2004 43.95% 693826 54.31% 857488 2000 38.44% 561094 55.91% 816015 1996 34.69% 483109 52.83% 735740 1992 35.78% 578313 42.21% 682318 1988 51.98% 750241 46.87% 676584 1984 60.73% 890877 38.83% 569597 1980 48.16% 677210 38.52% 541732 1976 52.06% 719261 46.90% 647895 1972 58.57% 810763 40.13% 555498 1968 44.32% 556721 49.48% 621561 1964 32.09% 390996 67.81% 826269 1960 46.27% 565813 53.73% 657055 Currently Connecticut leans strongly towards the Democratic Party. However Connecticut has a high percentage of voters who are not registered with a major party. As of 2004 33.7% of registered voters were registered Democratic 22.0% were registered Republican and 44.0% were unaffiliated with any party with 0.2% registered with a minor party.67 Many Connecticut towns show a marked preference for moderate candidates of either party. The state's Republican-leaning areas are the rural Litchfield County and adjoining towns in the west of Hartford County the industrial towns of the Naugatuck River Valley and some of the affluent Fairfield County towns near the New York border. The suburban towns of New Canaan and Darien in Fairfield County are considered the most Republican areas in the state. Westport a wealthy town a few miles to the east is often considered one of the most loyally-Democratic liberal towns in Fairfield County. The historically Republican-leaning wealthy town of Wilton voted in the majority for Barack Obama in the 2008 Presidential Election. Norwalk and Stamford two larger affluent communities in Fairfield County have in many elections favored moderate Republicans including former Governor John G. Rowland and former Congressman Chris Shays however they have favored Democrats in recent US presidential election years with Shays being defeated by Democrat Jim Himes in the 2008 election. Waterbury has a Democratic registration edge but usually favors conservative candidates in both parties. In Danbury unaffiliated voters outnumber voters registered with either major party. Other smaller cities including Meriden New Britain Norwich and Middletown favor Democratic candidates. In July 2009 the Connecticut legislature overrode a veto by Governor M. Jodi Rell to pass SustiNet the first significant public-option health care reform legislation in the nation.68 As of 2011 Democrats controlled all five federal congressional seats. The remaining Republican Chris Shays lost his seat to Democrat Jim Himes in the Congressional Election in 2008. Joseph Lieberman and Richard Blumenthal are Connecticut's U.S. senators. The junior Blumenthal is a Democrat while the senior Lieberman serves as an Independent Democrat caucusing with Senate Democrats after his victory on the Connecticut for Lieberman ballot line in the 2006 general election. Lieberman's predecessor Lowell P. Weicker Jr. was the last Connecticut Republican to serve as Senator. Weicker was known as a liberal Republican. He broke with President Richard Nixon during Watergate and successfully ran for governor in 1990 as an independent creating A Connecticut Party as his election vehicle. Before Weicker the last Republican to represent Connecticut in the Senate was Prescott Bush the father of former President George H.W. Bush and the grandfather of former President George W. Bush. He served from 19531963. Voter registration and party enrollment as of October 27 200969 Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage   Democratic 751612 41322 792934 36.84%   Republican 412746 20311 433057 20.12%   Unaffiliated 853607 61286 914893 42.51%   Minor parties 10709 727 11436 0.53% Total 2028674 123646 2152320 100% Education Connecticut is the home of Yale University established in 1701 one of the most academically renowned and selective universities in the United States.70 Yale is one of the largest employers in the state and its research activity has recently spun off dozens of growing biotechnology companies.7172 In addition Connecticut hosts many other academic institutions including Trinity College (1823) Wesleyan University (1832) University of Hartford (1877) Post University (1890) Connecticut College (1911) United States Coast Guard Academy (1915) and Quinnipiac University (1929). The University of Connecticut (1881) has been the highest ranked public university in New England from 1998 to 2010 according to U.S. News and World Report.73 Connecticut was home to the nation's first law school Litchfield Law School which operated from 1773 to 1833 in Litchfield. Hartford Public High School (1638) is the third-oldest secondary school in the nation after the Collegiate School (1628) in Manhattan and the Boston Latin School (1635). The state also has many noted private day schools and its boarding schools draw students from around the world. See also: List of colleges and universities in Connecticut and List of school districts in Connecticut Sports Mohegan Sun Arena home of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. See also: Professional ice hockey in Connecticut Connecticut has been the home to multiple teams in the big four sports leagues though currently hosts none. Connecticut's longest-tenured and only modern full-time "big four" franchise were the Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League who played in Hartford from 1979 to 1997 at the Hartford Civic Center. Their departure to Raleigh North Carolina over disputes with the state over the construction of a new arena caused great controversy and resentment. The former Whalers are now known as the Carolina Hurricanes. Connecticut has hosted teams from the other big four leagues at various times. The Hartford Dark Blues joined the National League for one season in 1876 becoming the state's first and only major league baseball franchise. In 1926 Hartford had a franchise in the National Football League known as the Hartford Blues. The NFL would return to Connecticut from 1973-1974 when New Haven hosted the New York Giants at Yale Bowl while Giants Stadium was under construction.74 From 1975 to 1995 the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association played a number of home games at the Hartford Civic Center. Yale Bowl during "The Game" between Yale and Harvard. The Bowl was also the home of the NFL's New York Giants from 1973-1974. The Connecticut Sun of the WNBA currently play at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville. From 1996 to 1998 Connecticut was home to another professional woman's basketball team American Basketball League franchise the New England Blizzard who played at the Hartford Civic Center The UConn Huskies play NCAA Division I sports and are popular in the state. Both the men's basketball and women's basketball teams have won multiple national championships including in 2004 when UConn became the first school in NCAA Division I history to have its men's and women's basketball programs win the national title in the same year. The UConn Huskies football team has played in the Football Bowl Subdivision since 2002 and has played in four bowl games since. Other Connecticut universities which feature Division I sports teams include Yale University Quinnipiac University Fairfield University Central Connecticut State University Sacred Heart University and the University of Hartford. Several United States Coast Guard Academy teams compete in Division I as well. New Haven biannually hosts "The Game" between Yale and Harvard the country's second-oldest college football rivalry. Yale alum Walter Camp deemed the "Father of American Football" helped develop modern football while living in New Haven.75 Hartford has hosted two Arena Football League franchises in the Connecticut Coyotes from 19951996 and the New England Sea Wolves from 19992000 both playing at the Civic Center. Hartford is currently home to the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League. Connecticut is a battleground between fans of the New York Yankees Boston Red Sox and New York Mets.76 For the Mets and Red Sox split allegiances among fans of both teams in the state during the 1986 World Series led to an article in The Boston Globe to coin the phrase "Red Sox Nation."77 The state hosts several major sporting events. Since 1952 a PGA Tour golf tournament has been played in the Hartford area. Originally called the "Insurance City Open" and later the "Greater Hartford Open" the event is now known as the Travelers Championship. The Pilot Pen Tennis tournament is held annually in the Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center at Yale University in New Haven. Lime Rock Park is a motorsport track home of American Le Mans Series Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and NASCAR Camping World East Series races. The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) is the state's sanctioning body for high school sports. Current professional sports teams Club Sport League Bridgeport Sound Tigers Ice hockey American Hockey League Danbury Mad Hatters Ice hockey Eastern Professional Hockey League Connecticut Whale Ice hockey American Hockey League New Britain Rock Cats Baseball Minor League Baseball (AA) Connecticut Tigers Baseball Minor League Baseball (A) Bridgeport Bluefish Baseball Atlantic League Danbury Westerners Baseball New England Collegiate Baseball League Torrington Titans Baseball Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League Connecticut Sun Basketball Women's National Basketball Association New Haven Warriors Rugby League American National Rugby League Connecticut Wildcats Rugby League American National Rugby League Hartford Wanderers Rugby Union New England Rugby Football Union New Haven Old Black RFC Rugby Union New England Rugby Football Union Hartford Colonials Football United Football League Connecticut Yankees Rugby Union Metropolitan New York Rugby Union New England Rugby Football Union Nutmeg BMX BMX Racing National Bicycle League CT RollerGirls Roller derby Women's Flat Track Derby Association Names and symbols Connecticut State Symbols The Flag of Connecticut. Animate insignia Bird(s) American Robin Fish American shad Flower(s) Mountain Laurel Insect European Mantis Mammal(s) Sperm whale Tree Charter White oak Inanimate insignia Dance Square dance Fossil Dinosaur tracks Mineral Garnet Shell Eastern Oyster Ship(s) USS Nautilus (SSN-571) Freedom Schooner Amistad Slogan(s) Full of Surprises Song(s) Yankee Doodle The Nutmeg Tartan Connecticut State Tartan Route marker(s) State Quarter Released in 1999 Lists of United States state insignia The name "Connecticut" originates from the Mohegan word quonehtacut meaning "place of long tidal river".59 Connecticut's official nickname adopted in 1959 is "The Constitution State" based on its colonial constitution of 16381639 which was the first in America and arguably the world.1 Unofficially (but popularly) Connecticut is also known as "The Nutmeg State".1 The origins of the nutmeg connection to Connecticut are unknown. It may have come from its sailors returning from voyages with nutmeg (which in the 18th and 19th centuries was a very valuable spice). It may have originated in the early machined sheet tin nutmeg grinders sold by early Connecticut peddlers. It is also facetiously said to come from Yankee peddlers from Connecticut who would sell small carved nobs of wood shaped to look like nutmeg to unsuspecting customers.78 George Washington gave Connecticut the title of "The Provisions State"1 because of the material aid the state rendered to the American Revolutionary War effort. Connecticut is also known as "The Land of Steady Habits".1 The Charter Oak. The USS Nautilus (SSN-571). According to Webster's New International Dictionary 1993 a person who is a native or resident of Connecticut is a "Connecticuter". There are numerous other terms coined in print but not in use such as: "Connecticotian" Cotton Mather in 1702. "Connecticutensian" Samuel Peters in 1781. "Nutmegger" is sometimes used2 as is "Yankee" (the official State Song is "Yankee Doodle") though this usually refers someone from the wider New England region (and in the Southern United States to anyone who lives north of the Mason-Dixon Line).79 Linguist Allen Walker Read reports a more playful term 'connecticutie.' The traditional abbreviation of the state's name is "Conn."; the official postal abbreviation is CT. Commemorative stamps issued by the United States Postal Service with Connecticut themes include Nathan Hale Eugene O'Neill Josiah Willard Gibbs Noah Webster Eli Whitney the whaling ship the Charles W. Morgan which is docked in Mystic Seaport and a decoy of a broadbill duck. Connecticut state insignia and historical figures1 except where noted State hero Nathan Hale State heroine Prudence Crandall State composer Charles Edward Ives State statues in Statuary Hall Roger Sherman and Jonathan Trumbull80 State poet laureate John Hollander Connecticut State Troubadour Lara Herscovitch81 State composer laureate Jacob Druckman Famous residents Main article: List of people from Connecticut George Walker Bush the forty-third President of the United States was born in Connecticut. He is a member of the Bush political family with roots in the state extending three generations. American author Mark Twain resided in his innovative Hartford home from 1871 until 1891 during which time he published The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He lived in Redding from 1908 until his death in 1910.82 Noah Webster was born in Hartford in an area that is now part of West Hartford and was the author of the "Blue Backed Speller" now known as Webster's Dictionary. The Speller was used to teach spelling to five generations of Americans. Many music stars radio and television personalities and athletes have made temporary homes in the wealthy suburbs of Fairfield County. Singer Gene Pitney was born in Hartford and grew up in Rockville. Actor Dylan McDermott was born and raised in Waterbury. Meg Ryan lived in Bethel while growing up. Animator and creator of Family GuySeth MacFarlane was born in Kent Connecticut Other notable figures from the state span American political and cultural history including Roger Sherman Benedict Arnold Nathan Hale Eli Whitney John Brown Prudence Crandall P. T. Barnum Harriet Beecher Stowe Florence Griswold Charles Ives Wallace Stevens Eugene O'Neill Katharine Hepburn Andy Rooney Joanne Woodward Mo Vaughn Ralph Nader Jacques Ppin Christopher Walken Phil Donahue Marlo Thomas Mia Farrow Jane Curtin Igor Sikorsky Charles Smith Patti LuPone Meryl Streep Michael Bolton 50 Cent William F. Buckley Jr. James Blake John Mayer and Glenn Beck. See also North America portal United States portal Connecticut portal Main articles: Outline of Connecticut and Index of Connecticut-related articles References a b c d e f g h "SOTS: Sites Seals & Symbols". http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.aspA3188&QUESTIONID392608. Retrieved 2008-06-12.  a b "Connecticut's Nicknames". 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The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/18/sports/baseball/18fans.htmlei5088&en6f3f651e40bd2179&ex1313553600&partnerrssnyt&emcrss&pagewantedprint. Retrieved 2010-04-30.  Cobb Nathan (October 20 1986). "Baseball Border War; In Milford Conn. Geography Brings Sox and Mets Fans". Boston Globe: p. 8.  "roadscape.com/nutmeg.html". http://www.roadescape.com/nutmeg.html. dead link See Yankee main article. See National Statuary Hall Collection Connecticut State Troubadour; CT Commission on Culture & Tourism Arts Division website. Retrieved January 4 2007. 4dead link. 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