New Hampshire (NH) is a small and relatively sparsely populated state in the northeastern part of the USA known as New England. The name of the state refers to the English county of Hampshire. The capital of New Hampshire is Concord, the largest being Manchester. The state’s industry is driven by manufacturing and technology. New Hampshire plays an important role in presidential elections, as it is one of the first venues for the primaries.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name New Hampshire Abbreviation NH Capital Concord Largest city Manchester (Population: 115 474) Current time 13:05 Time zone EST (UTC-5), the state observes Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) Population 1,377,524 (#41 most populous US state) Area 9,350 mi² (#46 largest US state) Admitted to the Union June 21, 1788 (#9 state to join) ⭐ Capital of New Hampshire
The capital of New Hampshire is Concord, where European settlement began in 1659 and whose legal establishment occurred on February 9, 1734. At that time it was still called Rumford, renamed Concord in 1765 by Governor Benning Wentworth after a boundary dispute with the town of Bow. Concord became the capital of New Hampshire in 1808.
🏙️ Largest City in New Hampshire
The biggest city in New Hampshire is Manchester, with a population of 115,474 in 2023. The second largest city is Nashua with a population of 91,003 and the third largest city is the capital city of Concord with a population of 44,629.
🕒 Time in New Hampshire
The current time in New Hampshire is 13:05. The entire state observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5), switching to Eastern Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) between March and November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of New Hampshire
As of 2023, New Hampshire had a population of 1,377,524, ranking it as the 41st most populous state in the United States.
📍 Area of New Hampshire
The total area of New Hampshire is 9,350 mi², of which 8,954 mi² is land and 396 mi² is water. New Hampshire is the 46th largest US state in terms of land area.
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Fun Facts About New Hampshire
🧩 New Hampshire Neighboring States
New Hampshire is bordered by three US states, Vermont to the west, Maine to the east and Massachusetts to the south. In addition, it shares a border with the Canadian province of Québec to the north and has a short, 13 mi long coastline with the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast.
📅 Date of New Hampshire Statehood
New Hampshire was admitted to the Union on June 21, 1788 as the 9th state in line, its predecessor being the Colony of New Hampshire.
📛 Nickname of the State of New Hampshire
New Hampshire earned the nickname “The Granite State” due to the numerous granite rocks and quarries found in the state. Figuratively, it represents the strength and perseverance of the state’s residents.
For example, the official motto, which has been “Live Free or Die” since 1945, is used on car license plates and coins. The phrase comes from a toast written in July 1809 by General John Stark, one of New Hampshire’s central figures in the American War of Independence.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in New Hampshire
The highest mountain in New Hampshire is with 6,289 ft Mount Washington, which is part of the Presidential Range. Interestingly, the highest mountain is named after the first US President, and another nearby peak is named after the second John Adams.
🏞️ Rivers in New Hampshire
The longest river in New Hampshire is the Connecticut River with a total flow length of 407 mi. It is followed by the Androscoggin River (178 mi), the Saco River (136 mi), the Merrimack River (117 mi), and the Contoocook River (71 mi).
🎓 Universities in New Hampshire
The largest university in the state is Southern New Hampshire University, which was founded in 1932 in the city of Manchester and today has around 164,000 people studying at their campuses and online programs. The University of New Hampshire is the second largest, based in Durham, with around 14,000 students enrolled. The third largest university by student numbers Plymouth State University in Plymouth, with just under 4 thousand people attending.
✉️ New Hampshire ZIP Codes
The state of New Hampshire has a dedicated range of postcodes 030xx-038xx, you can search for a specific one by address on the USPS website. For detailed information on how the system works, see the article ZIP Codes in the USA.
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Weather in New Hampshire
The best time to visit New Hampshire is during late summer and fall, when the landscape turns orange and red. In addition, daytime temperatures are still conducive to being outdoors.
Spring in New Hampshire is cool and the weather is very changeable. Temperatures in March usually range between 25°F and 45°F, gradually warming up to May’s 46°F to 70°F. Most of the snowpack melts during April, but snow can persist into May in the White Mountains and at higher elevations in general. The melting of the snow causes flooding each year, which is aided by periodic rains.
Summers in New Hampshire are mild and pleasant, with temperatures from June to August hovering around 68°F to 82°F. Despite occasional rain showers, this is the ideal season for outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming or visiting parks. In places with higher altitudes it tends to be cooler. Especially in July it is good to expect occasional but intense thunderstorms.
Autumn in New Hampshire brings significant cooling. While in September temperatures range between 52°F and 73°F, in November daytime temperatures are only 30°F to 50°F. At the end of November, especially at higher altitudes, the first snow showers appear.
Winter in New Hampshire is cold, from December to February it is usually only 14°F to 32°F. Snowfall is heavy across the state, with up to 300 cm snowfall in the mountains. At lower elevations and in cities like Manchester and Concord, there is less snow, but expect it. Winter snowstorms and high winds often paralyze traffic and can cause some road closures.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in New Hampshire
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Things to Do in New Hampshire
1️⃣ Mount Washington
With an elevation of 6,289 ft, Mount Washington is the highest mountain in the northeastern United States and is known for its volatile conditions and extreme weather. A weather radar on the summit of Mt. Washington measured a wind gust of 231.00 mph on April 12, 1934. This record was not broken until 1996 in Australia.
The summit can be reached by a 7.7 mi long hiking trail, rewarding you with a spectacular view of the entire White Mountains. A quicker route to the summit is via the 7.6 mi long private Mount Washington Auto Road or via the historic cog railway.
2️⃣ Kancamagus Highway Scenic Byway
The Kancamagus Highway is a 34.5 mi long scenic road that connects the towns of Conway and North Woodstock. Part of the route passes through the White Mountains, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area. There are rest areas along the road where you can stop and follow the hiking trail to waterfalls and other points of interest.
The best time to drive the Kancamagus Highway is in the fall, when the deciduous forests turn all shades of yellow, orange and red.
3️⃣ Story Land Family Theme Park
Story Land is a fabulous amusement park near the Maine state line for families with young children. The park opened in 1954, and today there are about 30 rides in operation, including two roller coasters and two water rides. Younger children will enjoy the carousels, trains, and jungle gyms, and can meet fairy tale characters from Cinderella or Alice in Wonderland at the park.
4️⃣ Conway Scenic Railroad
The Conway Railroad offers historic train rides through the scenic landscape of the White Mountains. Those interested can choose from several routes ranging from a short one-hour ride to a 60 mi long trip with a 1950s train set.
Refreshments are included as you travel in historic carriages with fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. You’ll get the most out of your train trip in the fall, when the leaves of the trees turn yellow, orange and red.
5️⃣ Franconia Notch State Park
Franconia Notch State Park is located in the heart of the White Mountains near the Vermont border. It offers visitors a variety of natural wonders, the most interesting of which is the natural Flume Gorge.
It can be explored by following a hiking trail that largely follows a wooden boardwalk alongside cascading waterfalls. Echo Lake is part of the state park and offers excellent conditions for swimming, picnicking or fishing.
6️⃣ Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a port city on the Atlantic coast, boasting a rich maritime history and well-preserved colonial architecture. There are several museums in the city, the most interesting of which is the Strawbery Banke Museum, which depicts life in the 17th to 19th centuries. The town’s picturesque streets and art galleries are also worth mentioning.
7️⃣ Polar Caves Park
The main attraction of Polar Caves Park are the granite caves that were formed during the Ice Age. The whole system consists of nine caves, each with its own unique shape and some of them are accessible only through narrow passages. The caves are connected to each other by a wooden walkway that provides views of the surrounding nature.
8️⃣ Mount Washington Cog Railway
The Mount Washington Cog Railway is the oldest cog railway in the world, carrying passengers to the top of the state’s highest mountain since 1869. The ride, approximately 45 minutes long, is a unique experience during which you can enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Historic steam locomotives and newer bio-diesel trains are deployed along the route. There is a visitor center and museum at the top of the mountain which provides interesting information about the history of the railway.
9️⃣ Mount Monadnock
Mount Monadnock in the southwest of the state is one of the most frequently climbed mountains in the world, thanks to its relatively low elevation 3,169 ft and easy access. There are several hiking trails of varying difficulty around the mountain, the most famous of which is the 4.3 mi long White Dot Trail, which leads to the summit.
From the top of Mount Monadnock, in good weather, it is possible to see as far as the neighboring states of Vermont and Massachusetts.
🔟 Santa’s Village Amusement Park
Santa’s Village is a Christmas theme park located in Jefferson near the Vermont border, especially for families with young children. They can enjoy over twenty attractions including two roller coasters, interactive games, and a Christmas workshop. The park is open year-round, but its greatest magic comes before Christmas, when it’s all lit up and kids can meet Santa Claus.
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Largest Cities in New Hampshire
The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of New Hampshire 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 Manchester Hillsborough 115,474 Map of Manchester 2 Nashua Hillsborough 91,003 Map of Nashua 3 Concord Merrimack 44,629 Map of Concord 4 Rochester Strafford 33,519 Map of Rochester 5 Dover Strafford 33,485 Map of Dover 6 Keene Cheshire 22,917 Map of Keene 7 Portsmouth Rockingham 22,733 Map of Portsmouth 8 Laconia Belknap 17,142 Map of Laconia 9 Lebanon Grafton 15,342 Map of Lebanon 10 Claremont Sullivan 13,111 Map of Claremont -
Sports Teams in New Hampshire
🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)
New Hampshire is not represented in the National Hockey League (NHL).
🏈 American Football (NFL)
There is no team from New Hampshire in the American Football League (NFL).
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
There is no team in New Hampshire that plays in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no team from New Hampshire in the MLB league.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
No team from New Hampshire plays in the MLS.
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New Hampshire State Symbols
The state of New Hampshire has a variety of official symbols, listed below are just a few.
State Flag of New Hampshire
The New Hampshire state flag has been used in its current form since 1931, consisting of a large seal placed in the center of a dark blue field. The seal is surrounded by a wreath of olive and oak branches with nine stars to commemorate the fact that New Hampshire ratified the Constitution as the ninth state.
Great Seal of New Hampshire
The Great Seal of New Hampshire in its current form has been in effect since January 1, 1932. The main motif of the seal is one of the first ships of the Continental Navy, the USS Raleigh, with a setting sun in the background. The USS Raleigh was one of thirteen ships authorized for the Navy by the Continental Congress in 1775.
State Tree
In 1947, the paper birch (Betula papyrifera) became New Hampshire’s state tree. Interestingly, the law in question was passed without any argument or opposition, just the interest of one of the senators.
State Flower
Since 1919, the official flower of New Hampshire has been the lilac (Syringa vulgaris), which symbolizes the resilience of local men and women.
State Bird
The New Hampshire bird symbol since 1957 has been the purple finch (Haemorhous purpureus), which is found year-round in the state.
State Animal
Since 1983, the state symbol has included the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), which is commonly found in forests throughout the state.
State Stone
Granite has been the state stone since 1985, with the largest mines around Rattlesnake Hill. New Hampshire is often referred to as the “Granite State,” and granite symbolizes the strength and endurance of its residents.
State Mineral
Among the symbols, beryl appeared mostly colorless in 1985. There are several deposits of beryl in New Hampshire, which is valued for its hardness.
State Motto
The state motto has been “Live Free or Die” since 1945. The famous slogan “Live Free or Die” dates back to 1809 by the hero of the American Revolution, General John Stark, who wrote it as an apology when his ill health prevented him from attending the anniversary of the Battle of Bennington.
State Sport
In 1998, a law was passed that established skiing as the official state sport. New Hampshire was one of the first places in the USA to build ski lifts and ski resorts. Skiing is still one of the most popular sports today.
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