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Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Flag of Massachusetts State seal of Massachusetts
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): The Bay State
Motto(s): Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem (Latin)
By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty
State song(s): "All Hail to Massachusetts"
Map of the United States with Massachusetts highlighted
Official language English
Spoken languages
Demonym Bay Stater (official) Massachusite (traditional) Massachusettsian
Capital
(and largest city)
Boston
Largest metro Greater Boston
Area Ranked 44th
 • Total 10,565 sq mi
(27,336 km2)
 • Width 183 miles (295 km)
 • Length 113 miles (182 km)
 • % water 25.7
 • Latitude 41° 14′ N to 42° 53′ N
 • Longitude 69° 56′ W to 73° 30′ W
Population Ranked 15th
 • Total 6,794,422 (2015 est)
 • Density 840/sq mi  (324/km2)
Ranked 3rd [8]
 • Median household income $67,861 (7th)
Elevation
 • Highest point Mount Greylock
3,489 ft (1063.4 m)
 • Mean 500 ft  (150 m)
 • Lowest point Atlantic Ocean
sea level
Before statehood Province of Massachusetts Bay
Admission to Union February 6, 1788 (6th)
Governor Charlie Baker (R)
Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito (R)
Legislature General Court
 • Upper house Senate
 • Lower house House of Representatives
U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D)
Ed Markey (D)
U.S. House delegation 9 Democrats (list)
Time zone Eastern: UTC -5/-4
ISO 3166 US-MA
Abbreviations MA, Mass.
Website www.mass.gov
Massachusetts state symbols
Flag of Massachusetts.svg
Seal of Massachusetts.svg
Living insignia
Bird Black-capped chickadee,wild turkey
Fish Cod
Flower Mayflower
Insect Ladybug
Mammal Right whale,Morgan horse,Tabby cat,Boston Terrier
Reptile Garter snake
Tree American elm
Inanimate insignia
Beverage Cranberry juice
Colors Blue, green, cranberry
Dance Square dance
Food Cranberry, corn muffin,navy bean,Boston cream pie,chocolate chip cookie,Boston cream doughnut
Fossil Dinosaur Tracks
Gemstone Rhodonite
Mineral Babingtonite
Motto Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem (Latin)
By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty
Poem "Blue Hills of Massachusetts"
Rock Rolling Rock
Shell New England Neptune, Neptunea lyrata decemcostata
Ship Schooner Ernestina
Slogan Make It Yours,
The Spirit of America
Soil Paxton
Song "All Hail to Massachusetts"
Sport Basketball
State route marker
Massachusetts state route marker
State quarter
Massachusetts quarter dollar coin
Released in 2000
Lists of United States state symbols

Massachusetts Listeni/ˌmæsəˈsts/ mass-ə-CHOO-sits; officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island to the south, New Hampshire and Vermont to the north, and New York to the west. The state is named for the Massachusett tribe, which once inhabited the area. The capital of Massachusetts and the most populous city in New England is Boston. Over 80% of Massachusetts' population lives in the Greater Boston metropolitan area, a region influential upon American history, academia, and industry. Originally dependent on agriculture, fishing and trade, Massachusetts was transformed into a manufacturing center during the Industrial Revolution. During the 20th century, Massachusetts' economy shifted from manufacturing to services. Modern Massachusetts is a global leader in biotechnology, engineering, higher education, finance, and maritime trade.


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