Connecticut is one of the 50 US States, and one of the thirteen original colonies that formed the United States at the end of the 18th Century. The state is located on the East Coast of the nation, and is bordered by Massachusetts to its north, New York to its west and south, and Rhode Island to its east.

1. Region: New England
2. Capital: Hartford
3. Governor: M. Jodi RellCity Gov: Governor: M. Jodi Rell
4. State population: 3,502,309 (2007 Estimate) U.S. Census Bureau: Annual Population Estimates 2000 to 2007
5. Statehood: January 9, 1788
6. Currency: U.S. Dollar
7. Time zone: EST UTC-5/-4
8. Nicknames: The Constitution State, The Nutmeg State
9. Total area: 5,543 square miles
10. Largest city: Bridgeport
11. Airport codes: BDL (Bradley International Airport), HVN (Tweed New Haven Airport)
12. Highest point: South slope of Mount Frissell
13. Lowest point: Long Island Sound
14. Official state items:
    • Tree: Charter Oak
    • Flower: Mountain Laurel
    • Animal: Sperm Whale
    • Mineral: Garnet
    • Fish: Shad

Connecticut was inhabited for thousands of years by Native American tribes such as the Mohegan, from whose language the name of the state derives. In the 1630s Puritan settlers from Massachusetts moved to the area and eventually established a colony with its center in Hartford, CT. Today, Connecticut is one of the wealthiest states in the nation, with the highest average per capita and median household incomes.

Connecticut's southern border is primarily defined by the Long Island Sound, a large and relatively calm estuary perfect for the maintenance of the maritime industries that initially made the state wealthy. Pictured below is an aerial view of southern Connecticut and Long Island Sound.

American Energy Enterprises Inc. has plans to build a plant that would use wood waste to produce commercial grade cellulosic ethanol. The plant would be located in Milford CT. Initially failing to raise enough capitol to fund the plant, Christopher Brown the AEE founder says the company is awaiting a $50 million dollar United States Department of Energy grant but the plans to build the plant will continue regardless of DOE funding.http://domesticfuel.com/2009/08/21/cellulosic-ethanol-to-be-produced-in-connecticut/<ref>

Avon Old Farm School in Avon CT will be breaking new ground in the area of clean renewable energy. Students returning to campus this fall will be greeted by a $1.4 million dollar solar array system on top of the Jennings Fairchild hockey rink. Estimates on the energy savings to the school are in the range of $250,000 a year as the solar panels will provide 75% of the energy needs of the main campus.http://www.newsday.com/clean-energy-taking-root-in-connecticut-1.1387215<ref>

Other clean energy projects in Connecticut include a new wind turbine at a working dairy farm in Torrington CT and photovoltaic solar panels will power a manufacturing/retail shop in Ashford CT. These improvements in clean energy tactics come with the help of $120 million dollars from the first round of federal stimulus money. Connecticut has applied for an additional $3.9 million in funding to create and identify green jobs, establish a "green job bank" as well as establish training programs for interested workers.http://www.courant.com/business/hc-green-jobs0819.artaug19,0,4986634.story<ref>

• • The Mahalo Guide to a Connecticut Vacation
• Official Tourism Site: Visit Connecticut
• Frommer's: Hartford and New Haven Travel Guides
• Fodor's: Hartford Travel Guide
• TripAdvisor: Connecticut Vacations