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Facts
Famous Natives
Flag
Gov
History
Land
Landforms
Lat/Long
Symbols
Time
Travel Info
Weather
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Description
This beautiful (and bountiful) slice of land was accidentally discovered by Henry Hudson in 1609. He was looking for the Far East, when his ship (the Half Moon) sailed into Delaware Bay.
In 1638, the Swedes established a permanent colony near present-day Wilmington, and a few forts along the bay. All were eventually subjugated by the Dutch, beginning in 1655.
Small in physical size, it has a courageous and distinguished history as the first of the original thirteen colonies.
Its nickname, "The First State" rings true as Delaware was first to sign the Declaration of Independence and became the first state in 1787.
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The Revolutionary War ended, and in 1802, the famed Du Pont Corporation was formed here. Delaware would soon become a powerful economic and industrial center.
More than 50% of Fortune 500 companies are now incorporated within its borders, and it's a leader in the production of chemicals and plastics. In fact, Wilmington is known as the "Chemical Capital of the World."
It's also a quiet place with many farms and small rural communities, and it offers an idyllic recreational area for all to enjoy.
Read more about it here
Facts and Figures
Statehood Dec 7, 1787 (1st state)
Capital Dover
Currency U.S. Dollar
(conversion rates) here
Delaware Quarter (new) here
Language English (official)
Largest Cities (by population) Wilmington, Dover, Newark (all cities here)
Lat/Long 39º 16' N, 75º 52' W
Origin of Name Named for Thomas West, Lord De La Watt, the first governor of the Virginia colony.
Population 807,385
(45th)
Population Details (and more)
here
Statewide Business (facts & figures)
here
Flag and Symbols Delaware Official Symbols here
Animal (marine) Horseshoe Crab
Bird Blue Hen Chicken
Bug Lady Bug
Flag here
Flower Peach Blossom
Fish Sea Trout (Weakfish)
Mineral Sillimanite
Motto "Liberty and Independence"
Nicknames "First State" It has also been known as the "Diamond State", the "Small Wonder" and the "Blue Hen State"
Song "Our Delaware"
State Seal here
Tree American Holly
Land Statistics Area 2,489 sq miles
(49th)
(Land) 1,995 sq. miles (Water) 534 sq. miles Bordering States (3) Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland
Number of Counties (3) map here
Largest County (by population) New Castle, 500,000
Highest Point Elbright Rd in New Castle Co., 447 ft
Lowest Point Sea Level
Length/Width 100 miles/30 miles
Coastline 28 miles
Shoreline 381 miles
Mean Elevation 60 ft.
Geographic Center In Kent, 11 miles south of Dover
 LANDFORMS
As a part of the Delmarva Peninsula (land that includes parts of Maryland and Virginia), this sliver of fertile land is bordered by the Delaware Bay, Delaware River and Atlantic Ocean.
Most of the state's land is very flat, averaging only 60 ft. above sea level. The only exception are the green, rolling hills that cover the northern tip, fronting the Pennsylvania border.
The shorelines of Delaware Bay retains some of the best tidal creeks and marshes in America, and are home to a large variety of migrating waterfowl.
The Delaware Canal was man made and completed in 1834. Originally 60 miles in length, and used for the delivery of coal and freight, nearly 36 miles of the original structure still exists today and those remnants are a popular recreational corridor.
Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge here
Delaware State Parks here
Landforms of America here
Landforms of North America here
Rivers of North America here
Government Info U.S. President George W. Bush
Delaware Government web site
Delaware General Assembly web site
Famous Natives People listed are almost always native to the state. We do, on occasion, include those that have lived within a state for most of their adult life. "A mostly random selection" James Asheton Bayard politician Valerie Bertinelli actress Henry Canby author Annie Jump Cannon astronomer John Middleton Clayton statesman Alfred Du Pont industrialist/philanthropist E. I. Du Pont industrialist Henry Du Pont industrialist/philanthropist Henry A. Du Pont industrialist Pierre Du Pont industrialist Henry Heimlich surgeon Jacob Jones naval officer John Phillips Marquand author Howard Pile artist, author George Reed american patriot, jurist Caesar Rodney patriot, statesman Is someone missing?
Submit your famous person here!
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Maps
Delaware County Map
here
Delaware Outline Map here
Delaware Maps Univ. of Texas here
Delaware Highway Map here
Delaware Precipitation Map here
Delaware Satellite Map here
Delaware Topographic Relief Map here
U.S. States & Capitol Cities (a test) here
U.S. MAPS (large selection) here
USA MAP Clip Art (FREE) here
CUSTOM USA MAPS created here
The Spirit of '76 Recommended Links Delaware Ancestry/Genealogy web site
Delaware Colleges & Universities here
Delaware History Explorer web site
Delaware State Parks here
NEWSPAPERS
Dover Post web site
Online News & Info sites
Wilmington News Journal web site
State of Delaware web site
U.S. National Park Service web site
Time, Weather and more Area Code (302)
Time in Delaware
here
Climate
Weather in Delaware is mild year round with average monthly temperatures ranging from 75 degrees in summer to 32 degrees in winter. Temperatures along the Atlantic Coastline are usually warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Yearly precipitation amounts are near 40 inches, and almost 60% of days are sunny.
For an accurate look at Delaware precipitation amounts view this map
Current Weather Conditions in:
Timeline of History (1609) Henry Hudson sails his ship, the Half Moon, up Delaware Bay, and became the first European to visit the area (1613) The explorer, Cornelius Jacobsen May, arrives in the area and trades with local Indians (1638) Dutch settlers on two ships, led by Peter Minit, arrive in the Wilmington area, naming it Christina (1655) The Governor of New York, Peter Stuyvesant, along with a large fleet, capture all of New Sweden, thus ending Swedish rule in the colonies (1682) William Penn, the new owner of both Delaware and Pennsylvania, sails up the Delaware River on his way to Philadelphia (1704) Becomes British Colony (1776) Caesar Rodney, suffering from cancer, makes his famous ride from Wilmington to Philadelphia on horseback, and casts the deciding vote for the Declaration of Independence (1787) Delaware ratified the U.S. Constitution and became the First State (1802) Du Pont gunpowder mill established (1812) Delaware's Captain Thomas MacDonough's victory in the battle of Lake Champlain, during the War of 1812, becomes that war's turning point (1829) Delaware Canal opens (1862) At the Civil War battle of Antietam, half of the state's Continental Army soldiers were killed. Delaware troops were among the most effective soldiers of the Continental Army, distinguishing themselves in battle. Because of their reputation as fighters, they were called Blue Hens after the famous bluish cocks they took with them on their campaigns (1910) U.S. Battleship Delaware commissioned (1935) Nylon invented at Du Pont Company (1951) Delaware memorial Bridge opens, connecting New Jersey (1978) By order of the U.S. Supreme Court, Delaware began the busing of children from the inner-city neighborhoods of Wilmington to the more affluent suburbs, thus helping to establish busing across the nation Traveler Information Attractions (a few major) the Delaware Canal historic areas. Delaware Bay and seashore, Dover's statehouse (the smallest state capital), Fort Delaware and Wilmington's cultural attractions.
Frankly, this list could go on and on, so we recommend the web sites shown below.
Electricity 110/120V, 60Hz
Times to Travel Delaware is a great destination at anytime of the year, especially for families, history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts. Fall colors are exceptional and the beauty of the Delaware Bay coastline can be enjoyed year-round.
Delaware Accommodations
For hotels all around the State of Delaware here!
Delaware Tourism web site
Delaware Tourism 866.284.7483
Delaware Canal web site
Delaware Fishing web site
Delaware Museums web site
Fort Delaware web site
Roadside America An online guide to offbeat attractions, and more here
Wilmington Tourism web site
U.S. National Park Service web site Visas United States entry requirements are the same in all states, with most foreign travelers requiring a visa.
There are exceptions as Canadian citizens only need proof of that citizenship. Travelers coming to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less from qualified countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. without a visa.
Currently, 26 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Visitors entering on the Visa Waiver Pilot Program cannot work or study while in the U.S. and cannot stay longer than 90 days or change their status to another category.
For the latest information, including required documentation, any interested party should apply at the American Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence.
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