New Hampshire

Basic Information

New Hampshire, one of the original thirteen colonies, is known for its rugged mountains, pristine lakes, and independent political culture.

Capital

• Concord

Largest City

• Manchester

Area

• 9,349 sq mi

Population

• 1.38 million (2020)

Demographics

New Hampshire has one of the most homogeneous populations in the United States, though recent years have seen increasing diversity.

Ethnic Composition

• White:89.8%
• Hispanic:4.0%
• Asian:3.0%
• African American:1.8%
• Two or more races:1.9%

Languages

• English:92.5%
• Spanish:2.1%
• French:1.8%
• Other Languages:3.6%

Age Distribution

• Under 18:19.1%
• 18-64:61.2%
• 65+:19.7%

Population Growth

• Annual Rate:0.6%
• Natural Increase:Declining
• Migration:Primary source of growth

Economy

New Hampshire's economy is diverse, with strengths in manufacturing, healthcare, tourism, and technology, supported by the absence of sales or income tax.

GDP

• $88 billion (2022)

Major Industries

• High-tech Manufacturing
• Healthcare and Social Assistance
• Tourism and Hospitality
• Financial Services
• Education

Employment Rate

• Employed:97.5%
• Unemployment:2.5%

Major Companies

• Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
• BAE Systems
• Liberty Mutual
• Fidelity Investments
• Timberland

Climate

New Hampshire has a humid continental climate with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, with significant variations based on elevation and proximity to the coast.

Coastal Region

• Avg. Summer:80°F
• Avg. Winter:25°F
• Rainfall:45-50 inches/year
• Moderated by Atlantic Ocean

White Mountains

• Avg. Summer:70°F
• Avg. Winter:15°F
• Snowfall:100+ inches/year
• Home to extreme weather on Mt. Washington

Southern Interior

• Avg. Summer:82°F
• Avg. Winter:22°F
• Rainfall:40-45 inches/year
• More temperature extremes

Weather Records

• Highest recorded wind speed in the world (until 2010):231 mph on Mt. Washington
• Record High:106°F (Nashua, 1911)
• Record Low:-50°F (Mount Washington, 1934)
• Four distinct seasons

Visiting New Hampshire

New Hampshire offers visitors a variety of experiences from mountain adventures to tax-free shopping and pristine lakes.

Best Time to Visit

• Summer:June-August (hiking, lakes, outdoor activities)
• Fall:September-October (foliage season, peak tourism)
• Winter:December-March (skiing, winter sports)
• Spring:April-May (maple sugaring, mild weather)

Transportation

• Airports:Manchester-Boston Regional Airport
• Train:Amtrak Downeaster (southern NH)
• Highway System:Interstates 93, 89, 95
• Public Transportation:Limited outside cities

Accommodation

• Hotels:350+
• Historic Inns and B&Bs:125+
• Campgrounds:150+
• Lakeside Cottages and Rentals
• Grand Hotels:Mount Washington Hotel, Wentworth by the Sea

Tourist Information

• Visitor Centers:Located at major highways and attractions
• Tourism Website:Visit NH
• NH Division of Travel and Tourism Development
• Info Hotline:1-800-FUN-IN-NH

Popular Attractions

New Hampshire offers diverse attractions from majestic mountains to historic villages and pristine lakes.

Natural Attractions

• White Mountain National Forest
• Mount Washington and the Presidential Range
• Lake Winnipesaukee
• Kancamagus Highway
• Franconia Notch State Park

Family Destinations

• Story Land
• Santa's Village
• Whale's Tale Water Park
• Conway Scenic Railroad
• Polar Caves Park

Historical Sites

• Portsmouth Historic District
• Canterbury Shaker Village
• Strawbery Banke Museum
• Robert Frost Farm
• Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park

Outdoor Recreation

• Ski Resorts (Bretton Woods, Loon Mountain, Cannon Mountain)
• Appalachian Trail
• Lake Winnipesaukee Cruises
• Hampton Beach
• Flume Gorge

History

New Hampshire's history spans from Native American settlements through colonial era, Revolutionary War importance, and industrial development.

Early History

• Native Peoples:Abenaki and Pennacook tribes
• European Settlement:1623 (Portsmouth)
• Colonial Wars:Frequent frontier conflicts
• Royal Province:1679

Revolutionary Era

• First State Constitution:1776
• Pine Tree Riot:1772 (pre-Revolutionary protest)
• Fort William and Mary Raid:1774
• Ninth State to Ratify US Constitution:1788

19th Century

• Industrial Growth:Textile mills, Manchester development
• Railroad Expansion:1840s-1850s
• Summer Tourism Begins:1850s-1860s
• Civil War Contribution:30,000+ soldiers

Modern Era

• Decline of Textile Industry:1920s-1930s
• First Presidential Primary:1952
• High-Tech Development:1980s-present
• Population Growth and Suburban Expansion:1990s-present

State Symbols

New Hampshire has designated various official state symbols that represent its natural heritage and cultural identity.

State Animals

• State Animal:

  White-Tailed Deer
• State Bird:

  Purple Finch
• State Butterfly:

  Karner Blue
• State Insect:

  Ladybug
• State Dog:

  Chinook

State Plants

• State Flower:

  Purple Lilac
• State Tree:

  White Birch
• State Wildflower:

  Pink Lady's Slipper
• State Fruit:

  Pumpkin
• State Berry:

  Blueberry

Cultural Symbols

• State Flag:

  State seal on blue background
• State Motto:

  "Live Free or Die"
• State Emblem:

  Old Man of the Mountain (collapsed in 2003)
• State Song:

  "Old New Hampshire"
• State Mineral:

  Beryl

Other Symbols

• State Amphibian:

  Red-spotted Newt
• State Gem:

  Smoky Quartz
• State Rock:

  Granite
• State Beverage:

  Apple Cider
• State Tartan:

  New Hampshire Tartan

State Facts

New Hampshire holds numerous distinctive records and facts that highlight its unique character and contributions.

Geographic Facts

• Highest Point:

  Mount Washington (6,288 ft)
• Lowest Point:

  Atlantic Ocean (sea level)
• Number of Lakes:

  944
• Coastline:

  18.5 miles (shortest of coastal states)
• Land Area:

  8,968 sq mi (water: 381 sq mi)

Records & Rankings

• 5th Smallest State by Area
• 41st in Population
• First-in-the-Nation Presidential Primary
• Highest Average Elevation in Eastern US
• Lowest Poverty Rate in the US

Notable Firsts

• First State to Declare Independence from England (1776)
• First Potato Planted in America (1719)
• First Public Library in America (1833)
• First Ski Club in America (1872)
• First State Constitution (January 1776)

Unique Features

• No General Sales or Income Tax
• Direct Democracy through Town Meetings
• Mt. Washington:

  "Home of the World's Worst Weather"
• 400-Member House of Representatives (largest in US)
• State Motto:

  "Live Free or Die" on All License Plates

Government & Politics

New Hampshire has a unique political structure with an oversized legislature, strong local governance, and significant influence in presidential politics.

Governor

• Chris Sununu (as of 2023)

Legislature

• House of Representatives:400 members (largest state legislative body in US)
• Senate:24 members
• Executive Council:5 members (unusual governing body)

Political Trends

• Traditional "purple" state with libertarian leanings

Key Political Features

• First-in-the-Nation Presidential Primary
• Town Meeting Governance
• No Broad-Based Income or Sales Tax
• Influential "Voter-Bellwether" Status
• Large Citizen Legislature

Time Zones

New Hampshire is entirely within the Eastern Time Zone, with daylight saving time observed.

Standard Time

• Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC -5)

Daylight Saving

• Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC -4)

Notable Facts

• Several border towns coordinate services with Vermont (same time zone)
• Historical interest in Atlantic Time Zone proposals

Education

New Hampshire has strong educational traditions, with excellent public schools and prestigious private institutions.

Major Public Systems

• University System of New Hampshire
• University of New Hampshire (Durham)
• Plymouth State University
• Keene State College
• Community College System of New Hampshire (7 colleges)

Notable Private Institutions

• Dartmouth College (Ivy League)
• Southern New Hampshire University
• Franklin Pierce University
• Saint Anselm College
• New England College

K-12 System

• 176 public school districts
• Strong local control tradition
• School choice initiatives
• High national rankings for education quality

Key Educational Initiatives

• Performance Assessment of Competency Education
• Statewide Educational Improvement Plan
• School Choice Programs
• STEM Education Focus
• Career and Technical Education Centers

Culture & Festivals

New Hampshire's cultural identity blends Yankee traditions, outdoor recreation, and arts appreciation.

Major Festivals

• Pumpkin Festival (various locations)
• League of NH Craftsmen's Fair
• NH Highland Games
• Laconia Motorcycle Week
• Hampton Beach Seafood Festival

Cultural Events

• Prescott Park Arts Festival (Portsmouth)
• New Hampshire Film Festival
• Keene Pumpkin Festival
• Market Square Day (Portsmouth)
• Craftsmen's League Exhibitions

Regional Traditions

• Maple Sugaring Season
• Fall Foliage Driving Tours
• Town Meeting Governance
• Winter Carnival Events
• Summer Lake Culture

Sports & Teams

While New Hampshire has no major professional sports teams, it has a strong recreational sports culture and minor league teams.

Minor League Teams

• New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Double-A baseball)
• Manchester Monarchs (ECHL hockey)
• Seacoast United Phantoms (soccer)
• New Hampshire Wild (Federal Hockey League)

College Athletics

• University of New Hampshire Wildcats
• Dartmouth Big Green
• Franklin Pierce Ravens
• Southern New Hampshire Penmen

Motorsports

• New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NASCAR)
• Motorcycle Week Racing
• Dirt Track Racing
• Snowmobile Racing

Outdoor Recreation Sports

• Skiing and Snowboarding
• Hiking and Mountaineering
• Fishing Competitions
• Water Sports on Lakes
• Mountain Biking

Cuisine & Local Specialties

New Hampshire cuisine reflects its New England heritage, with fresh seafood, maple products, and farm-to-table traditions.

Signature Dishes

• Maple Syrup and Maple Products
• Apple Cider and Cider Donuts
• New England Clam Chowder
• Fresh Lobster and Seafood
• Poutine (in northern areas)

Beverage Heritage

• Craft Beer (70+ breweries)
• Apple Cider (state beverage)
• Mead Production
• Craft Distilleries
• Small-batch Coffee Roasters

Agricultural Products

• Apples and Apple Products
• Maple Syrup
• Dairy Products
• Blueberries and Other Berries
• Pumpkins (state fruit)

Food Traditions

• Maple Sugaring Season Events
• Clambakes and Lobster Boils
• Farmers' Markets
• Agricultural Fairs
• Apple Picking and Orchard Tourism

Infrastructure

New Hampshire's infrastructure supports its tourism economy, manufacturing base, and quality of life with unique challenges from weather and geography.

Transportation

• Interstate Highways:I-93, I-89, I-95
• Manchester-Boston Regional Airport
• Port of Portsmouth
• Limited passenger rail service

Energy Systems

• Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant
• Hydroelectric Facilities
• Growing Solar Installations
• Biomass Energy Production
• Regional Electric Grid Connection

Water Infrastructure

• Municipal Water Systems
• High Reliance on Private Wells
• Lake Winnipesaukee Water System
• Connecticut River Management
• Water Quality Protection Programs

Communication Networks

• Broadband Expansion Initiatives
• Rural Connectivity Challenges
• Public Television and Radio Networks
• Cell Tower Coverage Expansion in Mountain Regions

Notable Historical Figures

New Hampshire has been home to influential individuals who shaped state and national history across many fields.

Political Leaders

• Franklin Pierce (14th US President)
• Daniel Webster (Senator, Secretary of State)
• John Langdon (First President pro tempore of the Senate)
• Salmon P. Chase (Treasury Secretary, Supreme Court Chief Justice)
• John P. Hale (Senator, abolitionist)

Cultural Figures

• Robert Frost (poet)
• Alan Shepard (astronaut)
• Sarah Josepha Hale (author, editor)
• Christa McAuliffe (teacher, astronaut)
• J.D. Salinger (author)

Industrial Leaders

• Ralph Baer (father of video games)
• Dean Kamen (inventor, entrepreneur)
• Mary Baker Eddy (founder of Christian Science)
• Horace Greeley (newspaper editor)
• Salmon D. Chase (financier, politician)

Military Figures

• John Stark (Revolutionary War general)
• Jonathan Wheelock (Revolutionary War scout)
• Leonard Wood (Army Chief of Staff)
• Henry Dearborn (Revolutionary War officer)
• Alan Shepard (first American in space, Navy officer)

State Government Services

New Hampshire's state government provides various services with an emphasis on local control and fiscal restraint.

Public Safety

• New Hampshire State Police
• Department of Safety
• Fish and Game Department
• Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Marine Patrol

Health & Human Services

• Department of Health and Human Services
• Office of the Child Advocate
• Division of Public Health Services
• Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services
• New Hampshire Hospital

Environmental Services

• Department of Environmental Services
• Parks and Recreation Division
• Forest and Lands Division
• Water Division
• Air Resources Division

Business Services

• Department of Business and Economic Affairs
• Division of Travel and Tourism Development
• Banking Department
• Insurance Department
• Liquor Commission (state-run liquor stores)

Key Historical Documents & Landmarks

New Hampshire's rich history is preserved through significant documents and historic sites throughout the state.

State Constitution

• First State Constitution (January 1776)
• Current 1784 Constitution (second oldest in nation)
• Pine Tree Riot Documents (1772)

Historical Landmarks

• Portsmouth Historic District
• Strawbery Banke Museum
• Fort Constitution (site of first revolutionary act)
• Franklin Pierce Homestead
• Old Man of the Mountain Memorial (feature collapsed 2003)

Archival Repositories

• New Hampshire State Archives
• New Hampshire Historical Society
• Dartmouth College Archives
• Portsmouth Athenaeum
• University of New Hampshire Special Collections

Historic Sites

• Canterbury Shaker Village
• Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
• Robert Frost Farm
• John Paul Jones House
• Mount Washington Hotel (Bretton Woods Conference)

Environmental Initiatives

New Hampshire has a strong conservation tradition, with numerous programs aimed at preserving its natural resources.

Conservation Programs

• Land and Community Heritage Investment Program
• Current Use Taxation Program
• Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests
• NH Conservation Land Stewardship Program
• Local Land Trusts

Water Protection

• Lakes Management and Protection Program
• Rivers Management and Protection Program
• Volunteer Lake Assessment Program
• Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act
• Wetlands Bureau Regulations

Wildlife Management

• Wildlife Action Plan
• Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program
• Moose Research Project
• Fish Habitat Restoration
• Wild Turkey Restoration

Sustainability Initiatives

• Clean Energy Program
• Energy Efficiency Programs
• Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Participation
• Green Snowpro Training (reduced road salt use)
• Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

Major Events & Conferences

New Hampshire hosts a range of conferences, festivals, and events throughout the year.

Political Events

• First-in-the-Nation Presidential Primary
• NH Political Library Events
• Candidate Forums and Town Halls
• Granite State Debates
• Politics and Eggs Breakfast Series

Business Conferences

• NH Business Finance Authority Conferences
• NH High Technology Council Events
• Manufacturing Week Conferences
• NH Travel Council Tourism Summit
• Small Business Development Center Workshops

Cultural Gatherings

• League of NH Craftsmen's Fair
• New Hampshire Writers' Project Events
• New Hampshire Film Festival
• Monadnock International Film Festival
• New Hampshire Highland Games

Outdoor & Sports Events

• NASCAR Cup Series Races
• Mount Washington Auto Road Hillclimb
• Laconia Motorcycle Week
• Winter Carnivals
• Tuckerman Ravine Ski Events