ABOUT Vermont
Capital: Montpelier
State abbreviation/Postal code: Vt./VT
Nickname: Green Mountain State
Origin of name: Based on "verts monts," French for green mountains.
Briefs on Vermont:
One of the most bewitching states of New England, Vermont is a state worth visiting. Also known as the Green Mountain State, the state is located between the Canadian border, New York, New Hampshire and the Massachusetts.
Vermont is known for its beguiling natural beauty. The farm fields that roll up to the edge of the villages, sturdy mountains and quiet and crystal clear lakes all account for the charismatic aura of the place.
Vermont is also known for its several small cities. Montpelier, the capital city of the state is the single quaintest state capital in the United States. The city is popular for its scenic splendor, vibrant downtown driven by the activity of the state government and for the Vermont State House that can be seen from the border of the town.
The largest city of the state is Burlington. With a land area of 40.1 square kilometers the city is one of the nation?s smaller metropolitan areas.
Tracing the past of the state we find that Vermont is quite an archaic state. The western region of the state served as a home to some Algonquian speaking tribes including the Mohican and the Abenaki peoples. From 8500 to 7000 BCE the Native Americans inhabited the state.
It is believed that in 1535 Jacques Cartier, became the first European to visit the state. On 30th July 1609, French explorer Samuel de Champlain claimed the current Lake Champlain area.
In 1666 France claimed Vermont as part of the New France. He constructed the Fort Sainte Anne, which became the foremost settlement in Vermont. The non-French settlers arrived in the region during the 17th century.
In 1731 the French arrived in the territory. In 1734 they created the Fort de Pieux that gave the French control over New France or Vermont border in the Lake Champlain Valley. Some French settlements were also established in the area.
In 1759 the British entered the region. In 1724 the Vermont territory witnessed its first permanent British settlement. The settlement was simultaneous to the construction of the Fort Dummer (a British fort) built by the colonial militia of the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
In 1755 the Fort Carilon on the New York border was constructed. It was the site of two British offensives under the Lord Amherst?s command. In 1763 the control of the Vermont territory went in the hands of the British. This was a result of France losing the battle in the French and Indian War and the Treaty of Paris signed after it.
In 1764 the Province of New York claimed control over Vermont based on the land granted to the Duke of York. On the same hand based on a decree of George II the Vermont region was also claimed by the Province of New Hampshire in 1740. In 1741 George II disagreed to Massachusetts claims on Vermont and New Hampshire.
On 18th January 1777, Vermont Republic was declared independent. In the first six months, the Republic was known as the New Connecticut.
On 16th august 1777 Vermont witnessed the historic battle of Bennington. The Republican government was defeated in the battle.
In 1791 Vermont became the 14th state to join the union
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