Massachusetts with the metropolis Boston is one of the most historic states in the USA. Many well-known universities are based here.
- Massachusetts is the most populous state in the New England
- The capital Boston is famous for its universities.
- Massachusetts has been the scene of significant historical events.
Boston – pilgrims, witches and celebrities: the US state of Massachusetts has seen a lot in its long history. Today it is one of the economically strongest states in the country and famous for its first-class educational institutions.
- ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG: Overview of state Massachusetts, including major cities and most commonly used abbreviations of Massachusetts.
Massachusetts: History and Formation of the State
In 1620 the first English Puritans sailed on the Mayflower to the fertile region around Cape Cod, where they founded a colony in Plymouth. In the following winter almost half of the emigrants died. The rest survived thanks to food donations from the indigenous people. Today’s Thanksgiving festival in the USA developed from the jointly celebrated festival. Nevertheless, the tribes living in the region were largely driven out or exterminated in the following decades.
In 1692 the most notorious witch trials in American history took place in the city of Salem, in which 14 women and 5 men were sentenced to death.
In Boston, one of the largest cities in the colonies, the independence movement of the Sons of Liberty arose in the 18th century, which culminated in the Boston Tea Party on May 10, 1773 and shortly afterwards led to the establishment of the USA. Massachusetts joined the union in 1788 as the sixth of 13 states.
In the 19th century, Massachusetts pioneered the industrial revolution in the United States. Clothes, shoes, tools and more were made in countless factories. With the economic crisis in the 30s of the 20th century, there was a great death of companies in the traditional economy, which resulted in a long and severe structural change.
In 2004, Massachusetts became the first US state to legalize same-sex marriage.
Massachusetts: Geography and Major Cities
Massachusetts stretches from the Atlantic coast in the east to the mountain ranges of the Berkshires in the west. The geography of the state is shaped by the coast with its many bays and islands. The capital Boston is located at the innermost point of Massachusetts Bay north of Cape Cod.
Formerly whaled islands like Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are now popular summer vacation destinations for American celebrities and politicians.
With almost 700, 000 inhabitants, Boston is by far the largest city in Massachusetts. Some of the major educational institutions in the United States are located in their catchment area:
- Harvard University in Cambridge
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge
- University of Massachusetts at Amherst
According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, other cities of note are Worcester and Springfeld in the interior of the state.
Massachusetts and its economy
Massachusetts is now one of the wealthiest states in the United States. In addition to educational institutions, the IT industry, biotechnology and banks play an important role in the state’s economy. Tourism also makes a large contribution to the prosperity of the Boston and Cape Cod region and has replaced the fishing that was once so important. In the interior of the country, cranberries, apples and sweet corn are grown among other things.
Massachusetts: Population and Elections
With just under 7 million inhabitants, the small Massachusetts ranks fifth among the most densely populated US states. Due to the geography of the state, most of the population “crowds” on the Atlantic coast around Boston. The proportions of the main population groups:
- 7% whites
- 8% blacks
- 2% Latino / Hispanic
- 3% Asians
Of the white population of Massachusetts, approximately 22% are Irish. The most famous representative of this group was the former US President John F. Kennedy. Since winning the gubernatorial elections in 1952, Massachusetts has always had a Democratic majority in elections. In 2016 Hillary Clinton won 60% of the vote, while Donald Trump only got 32. 8%.
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is located in the American state of Massachusetts and is considered a kind of suburb or part of the city of Boston. It lies near its center, on the north bank of the Charles River, which separates it from Boston itself.
The history of the city dates back to 1630, when a small settlement was founded on the site of today’s Harvard Square. It was located northwest of old Boston and was named Newetown. In 1636, a school for preachers was founded here, and the village was eventually renamed Cambridge in honor of the British university. Despite the fact that it was a predominantly agricultural village, several wealthy Anglican families settled there. During the American Revolution in 1775, George Washington visited here to encourage and organize the volunteers who eventually formed the American army.
In 1792, the West Bridge was built on the site of today’s Longfellow Bridge, and in 1809, the Canal Bridge. Thanks to them, the city gained a direct connection with Boston and began to develop rapidly. In 1818, the construction of roads and railways followed, and a large glass factory was founded, which became the main employer in the area. In 1846, Cambridge was already an industrial and commercial city. After the end of the First World War, 120,000 people lived in Cambridge, most of whom were supported by the developed industry. With the closure of many businesses, the city began to acquire its current character as an intellectual center with a number of schools, hospitals and institutes.
Today it is an important cultural, touristic and educational center of the region. The city became famous for two universities – Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Around 130 Nobel laureates are connected in some way with these institutes. However, Cambridge is home to a total of eight universities and schools – for example Cambridge College, Episcopal Divinity School, Hult International Business School, Lesley University, Longy School of Music and Weston Jesuit School of Theology. There are also a number of primary and secondary schools, public, private and religious, with different professional orientations.
Cambridge is divided into 13 areas and its landmarks are squares (rather intersections), about 1.5 km apart and located on the red line of the Boston subway. Important downtowns include Kendall Square near the Longfellow Bridge, Central Square near City Hall, Porter Square, and Harvard Square, which is a shopping center adjacent to the university and Cambridge Commons Park.
Tourists come to Cambridge mainly because of Harvard Yard – in the central part of the university there is a monument to John Harvard. However, there is also an old cemetery near Harvard Square Station and the Commons Community Park, where there is a US Army Memorial. Heading west is long Brattle Street, lined with sumptuous 18th-century colonial villas, one of which houses the poet Longfellow’s museum. At the end of the street lies the romantic cemetery of Mt. Auburn, a beautiful park with tombstones of wealthy families. Most of the museums in Cambridge are part of the university, but are open to the public.