Connecticut (CT) is located in the northeast of the USA, the state is famous for the prestigious Yale University. The state’s important economic sectors include finance, insurance and modern technology. The capital of Connecticut is Hartford, but the largest city is Bridgeport. Connecticut became the fifth US state to adopt the United States Constitution on 9 January 1788.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Connecticut Abbreviation CT Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport (Population: 148 028) Current time 10:15 Time zone EST (UTC-5), the state observes Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) Population 3,605,912 (#29 most populous US state) Area 5,543 mi² (#48 largest US state) Admitted to the Union January 9, 1788 (#5 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Connecticut
The capital of Connecticut is Hartford, which was settled in 1635, making it one of the oldest cities in the United States. It was named after the town of Hertford, England. It became the capital of Connecticut in 1875, having previously shared its role with New Haven.
🏙️ Largest City in Connecticut
The largest city in Connecticut is Bridgeport, with a population of 148,028 in 2023. In second place is Stamford with a population of 136,226 and a close third is New Haven with 135,319.
🕒 Time in Connecticut
The current time in Connecticut is 10:15. The entire state observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5), with the state switching to Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) from March to November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Connecticut
In 2023, Connecticut had a population of 3,605,912, ranking it as the 29th most populous state in the USA.
📍 Area of Connecticut
Connecticut’s total area is just 5,543 mi², of which 4,849 mi² is land and the remaining 698 mi² is water. Connecticut is the 48th largest state in the USA.
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Fun Facts About Connecticut
🧩 Connecticut Neighboring States
Connecticut is bordered by three US states. It has New York to the west, Massachusetts to the north and Rhode Island to the east, plus a coastline with Long Island Sound to the south.
📅 Date of Connecticut Statehood
Connecticut entered the Union on January 9, 1788 as the 5th state in the order, founded on the original colony.
📛 Nickname of the State of Connecticut
Connecticut has several nicknames. The official one since 1959 is “The Constitution State”, which refers to the colonial constitution of 1638-1639.
The other nickname “The Nutmeg State” refers to the nutmeg, however its exact origin is unknown. It is not cultivated in Connecticut and is more likely to be associated with sailors returning from their voyages. According to another legend, it is related to savvy merchants who sold fake nutmegs.
A third nickname, “The Provision State,” was given to Connecticut by George Washington because of the material aid the state provided during the American War of Independence.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Connecticut
The highest mountain in the state of Connecticut is the southern slope of Mount Frissell, with an elevation of 2,386 ft, its summit is in Massachusetts at an elevation of 2,454 ft.
🏞️ Rivers in Connecticut
The longest river in Connecticut is the Connecticut River, with a total flow length of 407 mi. It is followed by the Housatonic River (139 mi), the Quinebaug River (69 mi), the Farmington River (47 mi), and the Quinnipiac River (46 mi).
🎓 Universities in Connecticut
The largest university in the state is the University of Connecticut with approximately 36,000 students, founded in 1881 in the town of Storrs. In second place is Post University with just under 22 thousand students, and the third largest is the famous Yale University, which is attended by approximately 15 thousand students.
✉️ Connecticut ZIP Codes
The state of Connecticut has dedicated ZIP code ranges 060xx-06389 and 06391-069xx. For more information, see the article ZIP Codes in the USA, and to find the code for a specific address, visit the USPS website.
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Weather in Connecticut
The best time to visit Connecticut is September and early October, when temperatures are still pleasant and nature is turning its autumn colors. Tourist attractions and parks remain open to visitors.
Spring in Connecticut brings a gradual increase in temperatures. While March in the largest city, Bridgeport, tends to be between 30°F and 46°F, May temperatures typically hover around 52°F to 68°F. The countryside is gradually turning green, thanks to regular rainfall. Snow cover is still frequent in March, but melts fairly quickly.
Summers in Connecticut are humid and warm, from June to August they are usually 66°F to 82°F, with cooler weather at the coast due to the Atlantic Ocean. There are fewer rainy days than in spring, but most of them are sunny. Thunderstorms can occasionally occur in the afternoon and evening, but summer is a good time for hiking and exploring the beauty of nature.
Autumn in Connecticut is an attractive time to visit the outdoors, thanks to the leaves of trees quickly turning shades of orange and red. Temperatures drop from September’s 57°F to 73°F to November’s usual 37°F to 54°F. Rainfall is moderate, but thunderstorms and strong winds can occur with frequent frontal passages.
Winter in Connecticut is cold, expect normal temperatures between 23°F and 41°F between December and February. On the Atlantic coast, winters are milder, while inland it freezes more often. Snow showers are common, especially in January and February, and occasional freezing rain can cause traffic complications.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Connecticut
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Things to Do in Connecticut
1️⃣ Mystic Seaport Museum
The Mystic Seaport Museum is the largest maritime museum in the USA, located in Mystic in the southeastern part of the state. The museum’s exhibits focus on historic ships, and interactive exhibits and educational programs are also available. The most famous exhibit is the Charles W. Morgan, a wooden whaling ship built in 1841.
2️⃣ Yale University Art Gallery
The Yale University Art Gallery houses an extensive collection of art ranging from antiquity to the present. Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, Spanish painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso, and American painter Mark Rothko, among others, are represented in one of the oldest university museums in the United States. The works on display are continually renewed, and the art gallery is free to enter.
3️⃣ Gillette Castle State Park
The main attraction of Gillette Castle State Park is the castle of the same name, built between 1914 and 1919 and designed and built by actor William Gillette, most famous for his role as Sherlock Holmes. The castle’s interiors are open to visitors during the high season, who can supplement their tour with a walk along the adjacent hiking trails.
4️⃣ The Submarine Force Museum
A museum dedicated to the history of the US Submarine Force is located in Groton in the southeastern part of the state. The museum’s main attraction is the USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear submarine. Other exhibits at the museum include model submarines, maritime artifacts, and interactive exhibits.
5️⃣ Steam locomotive ride and steamboat cruise in Essex
An interesting experience for families and history buffs is a ride on a historic train pulled by a steam locomotive. The carriages have been restored to resemble the 19th century originals. The train departs from the town of Essex and continues through the scenic countryside along the Connecticut River. The experience includes a steamboat cruise on the Connecticut River.
6️⃣ Lake Compounce Amusement Park
Lake Compounce opened in 1846, making it the oldest amusement park in the United States. The park’s most famous attraction is the Boulder Dash, which has repeatedly won awards for the best wooden roller coaster in the world. Lake Compounce includes a water park that offers welcome refreshment, especially during the summer months.
7️⃣ Mystic Aquarium
The Mystic Aquarium is one of the best aquariums on the East Coast of the United States, themed around ocean conservation and marine life. Visitors to the aquarium can see a myriad of sea creatures, including seals, dolphins and penguins. The main attraction is the beluga whales, whose research and conservation is the focus of the aquarium.
8️⃣ New England Air Museum
The New England Air Museum is one of the largest of its kind on the entire East Coast, located in Windsor Locks near Bradley International Airport. Visitors to the museum can admire more than 80 exhibits, including historic World War II aircraft and modern jets.
9️⃣ Mark Twain House and Museum
Hartford is the home of author Mark Twain, where he wrote his most famous books, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. The Victorian-style house is an important cultural landmark. It includes a museum where visitors can learn more about the life and work of the American writer.
🔟 The Glass House
“The Glass House” is one of the most important buildings in the USA designed in a modern style. Built in 1947-1949 in New Canaan, the house was designed by American architect Philip Johnson, who designed it as his residence. The interior of the house can be visited by reservation and a guide will give you a guided tour.
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Largest Cities in Connecticut
The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Connecticut in 2023, the source of the data is the United States Census Bureau, a federal agency whose main job is to count the population.
City County Population 1 Bridgeport Fairfield 148,028 Map of Bridgeport 2 Stamford Fairfield 136,226 Map of Stamford 3 New Haven New Haven 135,319 Map of New Haven 4 Hartford Hartford 119,669 Map of Hartford 5 Waterbury New Haven 114,990 Map of Waterbury 6 Norwalk Fairfield 92,458 Map of Norwalk 7 Danbury Fairfield 86,124 Map of Danbury 8 New Britain Hartford 74,080 Map of New Britain 9 Bristol Hartford 61,601 Map of Bristol 10 Meriden New Haven 60,111 Map of Meriden -
Sports Teams in Connecticut
🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)
Connecticut is not represented in the National Hockey League (NHL).
🏈 American Football (NFL)
There is no team from Connecticut in the American Football League (NFL).
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
There is no team from Connecticut in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no team in Connecticut that plays MLB.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
No team from Connecticut plays in the MLS.
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Connecticut State Symbols
The State of Connecticut has adopted a number of official symbols since its inception, listed below are just a few.
State Flag of Connecticut
The current state flag was adopted in 1897. It has a white shield with a trio of grapes on a blue background and a banner below it, which bears the state motto “Qui Transtulit Sustinet”.
Great Seal of Connecticut
The Great Seal of the State dates from May 1784, the trio of grape plants on it is accompanied by a ribbon with the state motto in Latin. The official name of the state is written in the same language on the edge of the seal.
State Flower
In 1907, Connecticut’s state flower was declared the mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), one of the native plants of the eastern United States.
State Bird
Since 1943, Connecticut’s state bird has been the American robin (Turdus migratorius), which is commonly found throughout North America.
State Hero
Nathan Hale was an American patriot, soldier, and spy for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He was captured and executed by the British while on duty in New York. He was named a Connecticut State Hero in 1985.
State Fish
Since 2003, Connecticut’s state fish symbol has been the American shad (Alosa sapidissima), which runs upstream of the state’s major rivers.
State Heroine
Connecticut’s official heroine since 1995 is Prudence Crandall, a teacher and activist who ran America’s first school for dark-skinned girls in the first half of the 19th century.
State Dinosaur
In 2017, the dilophosaurus was added to the state’s symbols after tracks of the dinosaur, which lived approximately 193 million years ago, were found in Connecticut.
State Ship
Among the official state symbols is the world’s first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus (SSN-571) first submerged in January 1954 and made its maiden voyage a year later. Today she is part of the museum in Groton.
State Composer
One of Connecticut’s state symbols is the composer Charles Edward Ives, who was from the town of Danbury.
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