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Massachusetts

Boston Harbor | credit: USCG
Massachusetts is the most populous state in New England and third-most densely populated U.S. state.

The Boston Metropolitan Area and Greater Springfield are major centers of population.

Officially known as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the state is one of the original 13 colonies.

Business - Economy

Massachusetts is known for its commercial fishing industry. New Bedford consistently ranks among the top ports in the USA for volume and value of seafood, due mainly to landings of sea scallops.

Massachusetts is one of the nation's top cranberry producers. Other high value agricultural products include maple syrup and cheese.

Travel

Massachusetts has a wide range of destinations that attract tourists and explorers. Cape Cod is one of the state's most popular areas. Cape Cod is a long peninsula jutting eastward from the mainland of Massachusetts.

The Cape is often described as being shaped like an arm bent upward at the elbow. The outer end is dominated by barren sand dunes and yellow sandy beaches. The mid-forearm is mainly grassy lowlands.

Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard are two of New England's most famous islands. Both islands are famous summer resorts.

Located in western Massachusetts, the Berkshire Mountains are a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. Known locally as "the Berkshires," the mountains are part of a range that also includes the Green Mountains of Vermont.

The National Parks of Boston are among the state's most popular travel destinations. The attraction consists of three NPS sites; Boston National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site, and Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park.

Located near Boston Harbor, Boston Light is the nation’s oldest lighthouse station. The still-active navigational aid became a National Historic Landmark in 1964.

Related Information

Government of Massachusetts