Introduction
Vermont (abbr.: VT or Vt.), state of the United States of America, 24,887 km2, with 563,000 inhabitants; capital: Montpelier.
Physical Geography
Nearly the entire state is occupied by geologically ancient mountain formations, the Green Mountains (highest point Mount Mansfield, 1,339 m), which are a continuation of the easternmost fold ridge of the Appalachians. To the southwest, the Taconic Mountains form a high plateau-like partition to the low-lying Valley and Ridge area. Of these, the depression along the western boundary lake, Lake Champlain, is the only significant depression in the state. About 70% of the area is covered with forest. Southwestern Vermont belongs to the Hudson River basin, the east to Connecticut, and the rest to the St. Lawrence. Lake Champlain (160 km long), which contains a number of islands, is the largest lake east of the Great Lakes. Of the approximately 330 smaller, statewide lakes, most of them were created by glaciation and deposition in moraines in the Pleistocene epoch. The most important are Lake Willoughby, Dunmore, Bomoseen, Whitingham, St. Catharine and Memphremagog. Summers are short and cool, winters long. In Burlington, on Lake Champlain, the average temperature in January is -7 °C and in July 20 °C. Most rain falls in July and September. Much precipitation falls in the form of snow (often from December to April), an average of 165 cm. Most rain falls in July and September. Much precipitation falls in the form of snow (often from December to April), an average of 165 cm. Most rain falls in July and September. Much precipitation falls in the form of snow (often from December to April), an average of 165 cm.
Population
The average population density is 23 inhabitants. per km2. About 32% of the population lives in urban areas. The largest cities are Burlington and Rutland. See top cities in Vermont.
Economy
Agriculture and forestry occupy an important place in the economy of the state, as does tourism, which employs a large part of the labor force. The largest part of the agricultural area is occupied by livestock farms (milk and milk products). Arable farming, mainly practiced in the lower parts of the state, where the soil is better, mainly supplies grass and hay for livestock, and also maize, potatoes, oats; apples and maple syrup are the most important horticultural products. Forestry supplies wood to more than 500 sawmills; The trade in Christmas trees is important. The main minerals are granite, marble, slate and tallow. The industry mainly produces machines; furthermore for foodstuffs, electronics, marble products, textiles, wood products.
Sights
The state, one of the states of New England, is excellently accessible for tourism; there is opportunity for fishing, golf and skiing. Green Mountain National Forest covers over 2000 km2 of the Green Mountains (from which the state gets its name; v. Fr. verts monts = green mountains). In Bennington, a battle in the Liberation War is commemorated and works by Grandma Moses hang in the museum. Arlington has a permanent exhibition of work by the illustrator Norman Rockwell.
History
Located on the border between the colonies of England and France, the area was a constant battleground in the wars between these two countries in the 18th century. The first settlements arose in the middle of the 18th century; in 1777 the inhabitants declared their independence from England. In 1791, Vermont became the first new state to be admitted to the Union of Thirteen States. Vermont again became a battleground in the War of 1812 against England. In the American Civil War, the state sided with the Union.