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Table of Contents
Massachusetts, officially the “Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States.
See the fact file below for more information on Massachusetts or alternatively, you can download our 26-page Massachusetts worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
HISTORY
- Before the 17th century, when English settlers colonized what is now Massachusetts, it was previously inhabited by a number of Indian tribes.
- The state of Massachusetts was named by English explorer and colonist John Smith after the Massachusetts tribe of Native Americans who lived in the Great Blue Hill region south of Boston. The Indian phrase roughly translates as “on or near the Great Hill”.
- The Wampanoag, Narragansetts, Nipmucs, Pocomtucs, Mohicans, and Massachusetts were all originally made up of tribes of the Algonquian language family.
- The Vermont and New Hampshire borders and the Merrimack River valley were the traditional home of the Pennacook tribe.
- The Pilgrims were the first settlers in Massachusetts, establishing Plymouth Colony in 1620 and developing peaceful relations with the Wampanoag people.
- Following Jamestown Colony, this was America’s second permanent English colony. The Pilgrims fled to Holland from England to avoid religious persecution for opposing England’s official church.
- The Massachusetts Bay Colony ended on February 6, 1788, when Massachusetts joined the Union and became its sixth state, only 12 years after the United States became a country.
- However, obtaining this status necessitated more than a declaration.
- Joining the group and complying with the Constitution put a lot on the line, and it took roughly a month for the Massachusetts Ratifying Committee to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
GEOGRAPHY
- Massachusetts is a state in the northeastern (New England) part of the United States. It is the 7th smallest state in the United States, occupying an area of 27,337 square kilometers.
- The state’s angular shapes and rockbound Atlantic Ocean coastline consist of a jumble of bays, inlets, sandy beaches, and odd-shaped islands, all of which end in granite cliffs in the state’s far north.
- The coastline and its offshore islands are all Ice Age relics.
- The arm-shaped Cape Cod National Seashore, located in the state’s extreme southeastern corner, is a constantly shifting mass of dunes battered relentlessly by Atlantic Ocean currents.
- Massachusetts is known as “The Bay State” because of several large bays that shape its coast: Massachusetts Bay and Cape Cod Bay to the east, Buzzards Bay to the south, and Mount Hope Bay, which is adjacent to several cities and towns on the Massachusetts-Rhode Island border.
- Moreover, the eastern part of Massachusetts is mostly flat, with a few small hills, lakes, streams, and rivers.
- The land rises gently from the Boston area into wooded, rolling hills, which are broken in the state’s central part by the Connecticut River Valley.
DEMOGRAPHICS
- Despite being the seventh smallest state in the country, Massachusetts is the third most densely populated area in the country.
- Massachusetts also has a relatively healthy annual population growth rate of 0.75 percent, ranking 28th in the United States. As of 2022, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 6,922,107.
- According to the most recent American Community Survey, the racial makeup of Massachusetts is 76.56% Americans, 7.47% African or Black Americans, 6.78% Asians, and 4.78% people of mixed race.
- 39.4 years old is the median age for the overall population of Massachusetts. Based on the gender breakdown, women make up roughly 51.5 percent of the population, while males make up 48.5 percent.
- Religious preferences in the state are as follows: 58% of the population have Christian-based faiths, while 9% are affiliated with non-Christian-based faiths, and 32% are unaffiliated.
ECONOMY
- Today, the economy of Massachusetts is largely influenced by technological research and innovation, as well as the service sector.
- This is a notable shift from the state’s preindustrial agricultural foundation and maritime trade, which date back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Industrial manufacturing still characterized Massachusetts’ economy in the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries.
- International trade, fishing, and agriculture historically boosted the economy. Exotic goods from China, the West Indies, and other distant lands were brought by Salem sailors. Fishing and shipbuilding were inextricably linked.
- However, this great industry did not last; by the turn of the 20th century, its contribution to the state’s economy had shrunk to a fraction of its former size. Fishing later suffered significant setbacks as well.
- Despite the fact that the soils are generally rocky, the purple sandy wetlands of southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod produce roughly two-fifths of the United States’ cranberry supply.
- Cranberries and greenhouse and nursery products are among the state’s top sources of farm income. Dairy products are another essential product it produces.
- By the early 21st century, Massachusetts’ economy was thriving with a significantly positive relationship between the computer and communications industries and the numerous educational institutions in the Boston area.
EDUCATION
- Massachusetts is widely known as home to 121 colleges and universities. Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which are both located in Cambridge, are consistently ranked among the best private universities and universities in general in the world.
- The entire educational system of Massachusetts ranked first among all fifty US states in 2018 in the News & World Report.
- Massachusetts became the first state in North America to require communities to appoint a teacher or establish a grammar school with the passage of the Massachusetts Education Law in 1647.
CULTURE
- Massachusetts has driven the country’s development. From pilgrims to patriots, Boston has led the charge for liberty, equality, and progressive thought, as evidenced by the Freedom Trail.
- From legends like the Kennedys to descendants of sea captains on Nantucket, its residents reflect the state’s central role in shaping America.
- Numerous writers, artists, and musicians have come from Massachusetts. Some major museums and historical sites also hold events and festivals annually to commemorate the state’s history and heritage.
- Massachusetts is also a major center for performing arts. The Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops Orchestra are both based in Massachusetts.
- Other orchestras in Massachusetts include the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra in Barnstable and the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra.
Massachusetts Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Taiwan across 28 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets about Massachusetts, a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States.
Complete list of included worksheets:
- Massachusetts Facts
- MA Summarized
- MA Before and After
- Local Pride
- Personality Profiling
- MA Sports Teams
- Bird of the State
- State Symbols
- Folk Song
- Ode to MA
- Greetings from MA
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Massachusetts famous for?
Massachusetts is renowned for its esteemed institutions of higher learning, such as the nation’s first university – Harvard University (established in 1636). Massachusetts’ citizens have a strong appreciation for education, with the highest percentage of college graduates in America.
Is Massachusetts rich or poor?
24/7 Wall St.’s newest report on the wealth of states across America has put Massachusetts near the top for a good reason. Their findings have highlighted a thriving financial landscape in this state by looking at median household income.
Is Massachusetts a safe city?
Based on SafeWise survey results, 2021 witnessed a decrease in reported personal violent crimes from the previous year in Massachusetts.
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Link will appear as Massachusetts Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, December 6, 2022
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.