New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a small U.S. state in northern New England. It is located east of Vermont, north of Massachusetts, south of Quebec, Canada, and west of Maine and the North Atlantic Ocean. The state ranks 46th of the 50 states in land area (23,249 km2) and 41st in population (around 1.3 million by a 2003 U.S. Census Bureau estimate). It is the site of the New Hampshire primary, the first primary in the U.S. presidential elections, and has probably the most famous of all state mottos: "Live free or die," quoted from Revolutionary War hero John Stark's response to a letter honoring him for the Battle of Bennington.

Related Topics:
U.S. state - New England - Vermont - Massachusetts - Quebec - Canada - Maine - North Atlantic Ocean - Population - 2003 - U.S. Census Bureau - New Hampshire primary - Primary - U.S. presidential election - State motto - Live free or die - Revolutionary War - John Stark - Battle of Bennington

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New Hampshire's state nickname is "the Granite State" because it has numerous granite quarries, although that industry has declined greatly in recent decades. The nickname has also been embraced for reflecting the state's attachment to tradition and limited government. Its state flower is the purple lilac. Its state bird is the purple finch. Its state tree is the American white birch, also called paper birch or canoe birch.

Related Topics:
State nickname - Purple lilac - Purple finch - American white birch

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New Hampshire is home to the highest winds ever recorded on Earth: 231 mph in 1934 at the Mount Washington weather observatory in the Presidential Range.

Related Topics:
Mount Washington - Presidential Range

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In 2003, it gained international attention for having the first openly gay bishop of a large mainline Christian church, Gene Robinson, within the Anglican Communion (the Episcopal Church in the United States of America).

Related Topics:
Gay - Gene Robinson - Anglican Communion - Episcopal Church in the United States of America

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New Hampshire's recreational attractions include skiing and other winter sports; observing the fall foliage; the Lakes Region; and the New Hampshire International Speedway (formerly Loudon Racetrack), home of the Loudon Classic, the longest-running motorcycle race in the United States.

Related Topics:
New Hampshire International Speedway - Loudon Classic

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USS New Hampshire was named in honor of this state.

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