Delaware . . . State 1
The official state flag of Delaware was adopted on July 4, 1913. The flag has a blue field that features a yellow diamond with the state's seal in which the coat of arms of the state is placed. On the seal, a soldier has a rifle and a farmer has a hoe. They look at each other across scrollwork that encloses an ox, a sheaf of wheat, and an ear of corn. Under this is a white ribbon reading, "LIBERTY AND INDEPENDENCE." Above is a sailing ship which represents commerce. Below the seal is the date December 7, 1787, which was the date that Delaware ratified the United States Constitution.
Delaware became the first of the original 13 states to ratify the U.S Constitution and became a state in 1776, just two months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is nicknamed "The First State". The state capital is Dover and largest city is Wilmington. Delaware is the 2nd smallest state with only Rhode Island being smaller. It has a total area of only 1,982 square miles. It is only 96 miles long and varies from 9 to 35 miles in width. Delaware is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay, and also New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Delaware's is in a prime location and within a 2 hour drive there is easy access to the major metropolitan areas such as: Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
Delaware's climate is moderate year round with average monthly temperatures ranging from 75 degrees in summer to 32 degrees in winter. About 60% of the days are sunny and annual precipitation is approximately 40-45 inches. The average growing season is pretty good and varies from 170 to 200 days. Temperatures along the Atlantic Coastline are usually warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
More than 50% of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated within Delaware but also has many farms and small rural communities. It also is a leader in the production of chemicals and plastics. The main agriculture is broilers, soybeans, corn, milk.
Delaware has a large fishing industry and is a major producer of crabs and clams. Other Manufacturing -- chemicals, food products, paper products, rubber and plastics products, primary metals, printed materials. Mining -- sand and gravel, magnesium compounds.
Most of the Delaware's land is flat, and averages only 60 ft. above sea level. Delaware Bay shorelines are known to retain some of the best tidal creeks and marshes in the nation and are also home to a large variety of migrating waterfowl.
Delaware has 3 counties:
Kent - New Castle - Sussex
