Delaware

With a land area of only 2,489 square miles, Delaware is the second-smallest of the American states. It is the only state that was claimed at different points in its history by the Swedish, Dutch, and English. Delaware is known as the “First State” because it was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, in 1787. Delaware shares a northern border with Pennsylvania, and Maryland is located to the south and west. Toward the east, New Jersey lies across the Delaware River and Delaware Bay, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Delaware has a population of 897,934, according to the 2010 census. Although Dover is the state capital, the largest city is Wilmington. Delaware has a long history of commitment to education and came ...