Population: 3 580.709 thousand people (2011)
Area: 14357.0 sq. km
According to citypopulationreview.com, the state of Connecticut is located in the northeastern United States, which is part of the New England region . Its capital is Hartford, one of the major cities is Bridgeport. Connecticut is the 48th state of the country. The origin of its name comes from an Algonquian expression that translates as “on a long tidal river”.
The first settlers of these places were the Dutch, who founded the settlement, which later became the city of Hartford. Until 1667, the territory of the current state belonged to New Netherland. After a short period, it became the property of the British Empire. The future colony of Connecticut was founded in 1636 by a native of England, Thomas Hooker. Connecticut was the first of 13 states to openly declare itself free from British rule. Since the state has a significant coastline, navigation has become a tradition for these places, which are located in the temperate zone.
The lands of Connecticut in the west border on the territory of the state of New York, in the north – with the state of Massachusetts, in the south they are washed by the waters of the Long Island Strait, in the east – with the state of Rhode Island. Major cities are: metropolitan city – Hartford, Bridgeport, Stamford, Waterbury, New Haven. The state has 169 cities and various settlements. Its lands are divided into eight regions. Most of the territory is covered with forests. The highest point is Mount Frissell, which is located on the northwestern border of Connecticut. In the southern regions there are swampy places and sandy beaches. The western part is mountainous. The Connecticut River flows through the central part of the state and flows into the Long Island Sound.
In the southwest of the state’s Gold Coast there are expensive mansions of wealthy people, in the northwestern uplands there are horse farms, in the north there are many small villages, in the south there are industrial cities. In the central part of each major city of the state there is a well-groomed park, the so-called “green zone”, next to which there are architectural and historical buildings of past centuries. This area is the most visited by tourists. In the northeast of the state, they are mainly engaged in agriculture. In contrast, the southwestern territory is occupied by large cities.
BRIDGEPORT
Population: 145.764 thousand people (2013)
Area: 50.2 sq. km
Founded: 1821
City status since: 1836
Time zone: UTC-5, summer UTC-4
Altitude: 3 m
Zip code: 066**
Bridgeport, one of the state’s largest cities, grew out of a small post-colonial fishing community. Founded at the beginning of the 19th century on the coast of the Long Island Sound, in a short time it has become an important link in transit and trade between the ports and major cities of the country. At the beginning of the 20th century, foundries and mechanical factories operated on its territory, workshops for the production of carriages, locks, and sewing machines functioned. Fishing flourished and coastal trade was active. In those days, Bridgeport was known as a railway junction. It was also linked to New York by steamboat traffic. See Connecticut counties.
By the 1970s, the city had transformed into a major industrial center. Companies specializing in the production of weapons, ammunition, and household chemicals worked here. At the same time, the electrical, aviation and machine-tool industries developed. And now Bridgeport continues to develop as an industrial center. The main base of the local economy is the enterprises of the military, machine-building, electronic, metalworking industries. University and colleges opened. Cold winters and warm, humid summers here are due to the geographical location of the city at the junction of a humid continental and humid subtropical climate.
The historic district occupies the central part of the city, where the atmosphere of early America is preserved and many small boutiques are located. The Housotonic Museum of Art is famous for its huge collection of works. Rare animals live in the Beardsley City Zoo. On its territory, conditions close to wild nature are created, the most familiar to representatives of the local fauna. The most famous citizen is Phineas Taylor Barnum. He was known as an entrepreneur and showman who organized a circus of his own name. He was also known as an author of books and a politician. In 1875 he was elected mayor of Bridgeport. One of the buildings built with his funds now houses the Barnum Museum.
NEW HAVEN
Population: 130.741 thousand people (2012)
Area: 52.6 sq. km
Founded: 1638
City status since: 1784
Time zone: UTC-5 summer UTC-4
Elevation: 15 m
Zip code: 0651x
On the shores of the eponymous strait stretches the city of New Haven. Within its boundaries there is a large port, there are enterprises for the production of watches, electronics, ammunition, firearms, tools and industrial equipment. The chemical industry and instrument making are developed. George W. Bush, who later became the 43rd President of the United States, was born in New Haven. Among the most prestigious universities in the country is Yale, which began its activity in the 18th century. Among its graduates there are famous personalities, in particular, 5 US presidents and 49 Nobel Prize winners.
The founders of the city are English Protestants from the community of Massachusetts Bay. Some of them decided to move to these places and create a new colony. The city was laid out according to the project of “nine squares” with interconnected pedestrian crossings. Each quarter was a square. Now the old part of New Haven is the historical center, where ancient buildings dominate and the main architectural values are concentrated. Citizens live a rich cultural life. The Yale theater is always filled with spectators. The most popular festival is the Haven Jazz Fest. City museums are no less popular, attracting with rarities and informative exhibits.
Traveling around the ancient city can be made at any time of the year, which is accompanied by a mild local climate. During the winter season, temperatures rarely drop below freezing. Moderate warm summer pleases with comfortable weather without exhausting and tiring heat, as evidenced by the average temperature of about 20 degrees.
