People have been living in what is now known as Massachusetts for around 12,000 years, when retreating glaciers uncovered the land. Native American tribes, such as the Wampanoag, Mohegan, and Mohicans, were among the first to inhabit the area. The state's nickname, the Bay State, may have originated from its many bays or from the Massachusetts Bay Company, which was given a royal charter to colonize the land. Massachusetts is a New England state bordered by New Hampshire and Vermont in the north, the Atlantic Ocean in the east, Rhode Island and Connecticut in the south, and New York in the west.
The east coast of Massachusetts is home to land created by glaciers that exposed many rocky bays. This humid and mountainous area is called the Coastal Lowland and includes Cape Cod Bay, Martha's Vineyard, and the Nantucket Islands - all excellent for fishing, sailing, and vacationing. The center of the state has streams and plains with gentle hills. To the west, the land turns into mountains.
This includes a popular spot for observing fallen leaves called the Berkshires as well as Mount Greylock - the highest point in Massachusetts. The Taconic Mountains are located at the western end of the state. Massachusetts is home to a variety of mammals such as black bears, lynx, oriental coyotes, moose, and white-tailed deer. Bald eagles, wild turkeys, northern cardinals, blue jays, mourning pigeons, and American robins are some of the birds that can be found in Massachusetts.
Reptiles such as biting turtles, oriental ribbon snakes, and five-line skink also inhabit this state. Eastern newts, American bullfrogs, and American toads are some of its most well-known amphibians. Sugar maples, eastern white pines, sycamores, and American elms (the state tree) grow in its forests. Wildflowers like New England asters, blue violets, wild bleeding hearts, black-eyed Susans, and porthole daisies can also be found in Massachusetts.Massachusetts is one of the original 13 colonies and has played an important role in U.
S. history - from the Mayflower to Paul Revere's famous ride to the Boston Tea Party and Boston Massacre. Today it is known for its colonial monuments, picturesque landscapes, and quaint villages. Basketball was invented in Springfield in 1891 by James Naismith while volleyball was invented four years later in Holyoke by William G.
Alexander Graham Bell made his famous call to Thomas Watson from two rooms away at his lab in Massachusetts. Webster Lake is actually named Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg - a vague translation of an Algonquian word meaning “English and Indian Nipmuck cutlers on the border or neutral fishing spot”.The chocolate factory was built in a Boston neighborhood while chocolate chip cookies were invented at Tollhouse restaurant in Whitman in 1930. Quincy is home to the first Dunkin Donuts which opened its first franchise restaurant in Dedham and sold 52 varieties of donuts. Massachusetts is one of four states whose legal name includes “Commonwealth” - along with Kentucky, Virginia and Pennsylvania.Blueberries are one of Massachusetts' most famous products and its largest food crop.
The accent - particularly the Boston accent - is also well-known throughout the world. Harvard University - named after Puritan Minister John Harvard who left his library of 400 books and half of his estate to school - is one of the most famous members of the Ivy League. During 16th century witch trials only 14 women and 2 men were executed throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.Finally, Massachusetts has some well-known records and interesting facts that are recognized worldwide - from Dunkin' being part of daily life for many people to being home to gay marriage being legalized by court order in 2003.With more than 14000 acres of peatlands and 400 family farms it ranks second after Wisconsin for blueberry production.
