Massachusetts Almanac: Facts and Figures

Quick Facts and Figures on the State

Massachusetts Almanac furnishes quick facts and figures on the state, its geography, climate and weather, elevation, land area, bordering states, electoral votes, number of senators and representatives to the US Congress, and other statistical data. Use this almanac of Massachusetts for information on local issues, politics, events, celebrations, people and business pertaining to the state of Massachusetts that can be found online.

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Massachusetts, officially Commonwealth of Massachusetts, one of the New England states of the US

Massachusetts entered the Union on Feb. 6, 1788, as the sixth of the 13 original states. It early became an important intellectual center, known for Harvard University and the cultural institutions of Boston. In the 19th century, it developed into a major manufacturing state, noted for textiles and footwear; in the mid-20th century, electronic components and other high-technology items became leading manufactures. Massachusetts is famous for its summer resorts, such as the sand beaches of Cape Cod. Presidents John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and John F. Kennedy were born in the state, and President Calvin Coolidge spent most of his life here. The name of the state is probably derived from an Algonquian Indian village and may mean "place of big hills." Massachusetts is called the Bay State.

Massachusetts Almanac
Official Name	Massachusetts
Capital	Boston
Nick Name	Bay State, Old Colony State
Motto	Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem (By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.)
Location & Region	42.33602 N, 071.01789 W			Northeast
Constitution Ratified	1780
Statehood	February 06, 1788			6th state
Population	6,349,097	601.5 sq mi.		13th
Largest City (by population)	Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Cambridge
Bordering States	North: Vermont and New Hampshire East: Atlantic Ocean and several of its arms (such as the Gulf of Maine, Massachusetts Bay, Boston Bay, and Cape Cod Bay) South East: Atlantic Ocean and a number of its arms (such as Nantucket Sound and Buzzards Bay) South: Rhode Island and Connecticut West: New York. Coastline: 192 mi.
Number of Counties	14 Counties and 7 Geographical Census Areas
Largest County (by population)	Middlesex County No Form of County Government	1,465,396		824 sq mi.
Electoral Votes	12
US Congress	2 Senators; 10 Representatives
Time Zone	Eastern Standard Time
Massacusetts Climate and Weather
Weather in Massachusetts is diverse and changeable. It can go from sunny to rainy (or, in winter, snowy) several times a week. Coastal areas usually have more moderate temperatures in summer and winter than the Berkshires in the west. Summer in Massachusetts is generally comfortable, though temperatures will climb above 90 F/32 C at least once each summer in all parts of the state. Cape Cod is kept cool by ocean breezes, though the mid 80s F/27-29 C are not unusual. In July, temperatures in central Massachusetts range 60-81 F/16-27 C, with some days above 90 F/32 C. Fall high temperatures can range from 60 to the low 70s F/15-22 C. Winter temperatures are moderately cold (11 to 29 F/-13 to -2 C, on average), with heavier snows in the west and central portions (60-80 in/152-203 cm) and less on the Cape.
Highest Temperature	107 degrees August 7, 1975 - Chester and New Bedford
Lowest Temperature	-35 degrees January 12, 1981 - Chester
Avg Temp: High - Low	81.8 degrees		15.6 degrees
Massachusetts Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet)
Mean Elevation	500
Highest Point	Mt. Greylock			3,487
Lowest Point	Atlantic Ocean			Sea level
Massachusetts Land Area (Square Miles)
Geographic Center
Total Area	10,554.57			44th
Land Area	7,840.02
Water Area	2,714.55			25.71%
Forested Land Area			65.1%
Dimensions (Length - Width)	190 miles		50 miles
Source:(US Census, April 1, 2000)

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