10 Vibrant Facts About Vermont That May Surprise You

The 2nd least populous US state and the 6th least extensive one, Vermont is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, New York to the west, and the Canadian province of Quebec to the north. Tap for some great facts!

#1: The name ‘Vermont’ has been derived from the French term, “Vert Mont”, which translates to “Green Mountain”. The name refers to the famous Green Mountain range in Vermont.

#2: On March 4, 1791, Vermont became the 14th US state. Before that, it was an independent country for 14 years.

#3: As an independent country, Vermont had its own laws, own post office, and an independent currency called “Vermont Coppers”. It had also abolished slavery well before being incorporated as the US state.

#4: Vermont produces about 500,000 gallons of maple syrup annually, which makes it the largest producer of maple syrup in the US.

#5: Vermont’s official rock is marble and its official mineral is talc. The state is US’ largest producer of marble and 2nd-largest producer of talc.

#6: Vermont is the only state in the New England region that does not border the Atlantic Ocean.

#7: Montpelier, the capital of Vermont, is the smallest state capital in the US by population.

#8:Vermont has the highest number of cows per capita in the whole of America – one cow for every 3.8 people.

#9: Two US Presidents viz., Chester A. Arthur and Calvin Coolidge were born in Vermont.

#10: Vermont is considered to be the most progressive of the 50 US states. Apart from being the first to abolish slavery, it was also the first state to grant partial voting rights to women and to legalize same sex marriage.