Massachusetts Vacation Guide System

Massachusetts Fun Facts

Capital: Boston

State abbreviation/Postal code: Mass./MA

Governor: Deval Patrick, D (to Jan. 2015)

Lieut. Governor: Timothy Murray, D (to Jan. 2015)

Senators: John F. Kerry, D (to Jan. 2015); Scott Brown, R (to Jan. 2013)

U.S. Representatives: 10

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of the Commonwealth: William F. Galvin, D (to Jan. 2015)

Treasurer: Steve Grossman , D (to Jan. 2015)

Atty. General: Martha Coakley, D (to Jan. 2015)

Present constitution drafted: 1780 (oldest U.S. state constitution in effect today)

Entered Union (rank): Feb. 6, 1788 (6)

Motto: Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem (By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty)

State symbols:

flower	mayflower (1918)
tree	American elm (1941)
bird	chickadee (1941)
song	“All Hail to Massachusetts” (1966)
beverage	cranberry juice (1970)
insect	ladybug (1974)
cookie	chocolate chip (1997)
muffin	corn muffin (1986)
dessert	Boston cream pie (1996)

Nicknames: Bay State; Old Colony State

Origin of name: From Massachusett tribe of Native Americans, meaning “at or about the great hill”

10 largest cities (2005 est.): Boston, 559,034; Worcester, 175,898; Springfield, 151,732; Lowell, 103,111; Cambridge, 100,135; Brockton, 94,632; New Bedford, 93,102; Fall River, 91,802; Quincy, 90,250; Lynn, 88,792

Land area: 7,840 sq mi. (20,306 sq km)

Geographic center: In the town of Rutland in Worcester Co.

Number of counties: 14

Largest county by population and area: Middlesex, 1,459,011 (2005); Worcester, 1,513 sq mi.

State forests and parks: 450,000 ac.

Residents: Bay Stater

2005 resident population est.: 6,398,743

2000 resident census population (rank): 6,349,097 (13). Male: 3,058,816 (48.2%); Female: 3,290,281 (51.8%). White: 5,367,286 (84.5%); Black: 343,454 (5.4%); American Indian: 15,015 (0.2%); Asian: 238,124 (3.8%); Other race: 236,724 (3.7%); Two or more races: 146,005 (2.3%); Hispanic/Latino: 428,729 (6.8%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 76.4; 65 and over: 13.5; median age: 36.5.

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