Last updated on October 7th, 2022
32. One of the six New England states
Vermont is one of the six New England states. The other five states are: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
33. No direct access to the Atlantic
Vermont is the only New England state without direct access to the Atlantic.
34. Plenty of underground marble
The Vermont Danby Quarry is the world’s largest underground marble quarry in the world. The quarry is entered through the same opening that has been in use for over 100 years.
35. Lake Champlain previously formed part of the Great Lakes
Vermont’s Lake Champlain, which runs for miles along the interstate borderlines is the sixth largest inland body of water in the water. It was previously one of the Great Lakes and it crosses national borders into Canada. It is a 435-square-mile lake bordering Vermont, New York, and Quebec and center of the region’s ecosystems.
36. The world’s largest grilled cheese sandwich
The Cabot Creamery of Vermont holds the delicious title of making the world’s largest grilled cheese sandwich. Festival goers at the Second Annual Everglades Cheese Cracker Festival in Everglades City, Florida on November 4, 2000 got a mouthwatering view of the 320 pound sandwich that measured five feet by 10.5 feet by two and one-half inches after cooking. What a cheesy delight! The GBWR has a picture of this huge sandwich!
37. Plenty of bridges
The state has more than one hundred covered bridges. Thus it has more covered bridges per square mile than any other U.S state.
38. No Wal-Mart
Until 1996, VT was the only state without a Wal-Mart.
39. The largest s’more ever made
Vermont also has another scrumptous edible delight worth mentioning. It isn’t official, but on December 29, 2018, those with a sweet tooth at Camp Meade in Middlesex, Vermont tasted the largest s’more ever made. At 32 square feet, it was much larger than the official record of 25 square feet. But, unfortunately, the title of the largest graham cracker, marshmallow, and chocolate dessert didn’t make it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Why? No one from GBWR was able to get there to see this giant treat. However, it was all worth it. There’s no doubt everyone there enjoyed this tasty event.
40. Green state
Vermont’s landscape is characterized by the presence of several trees, which occupy 77 percent of the state. Its natural beauty helps attract thousands of visitors who throng the state’s mountains, lakes, and hiking trails.
41. Native tribes
The state is home to two native tribes. The Abenaki and Mohican tribes inhabited vast areas in the Vermont area beginning in 8500 BCE. Both tribes spoke the Algonquia language and were removed from the area by the Iroquois.
42. The Vermont Republic
The independent state of Vermont Republic was created after a revolt by the Green Mountain Boys.
43. A rural state
Vermont and Maine are the two most rural states in the nation.
About the Flag of Vermont
1. Design and Symbolism
The flag of Vermont reflects its natural features, including flora and fauna, that continue to enrich the lives of its inhabitants. It contains the coat of arms and state motto on a dark blue field.
Pine branches support the shield on both sides. It represents the victory at the 1812 Battle of Plattsburgh. It ended the final British attempt at a northern invasion, thus saving New York and nearby states.
The shield has an ornate gold border in the baroque style. It depicts a scene with a lone pine tree in the middle, surrounded by a brown cow with three sheaves of wheat. They represent the Vermont forests, the dairy industry, and the agricultural sector.
Some say that the pine tree represents freedom from the English crown. It may refer to the well-known Liberty Tree across the Thirteen Colonies. The resistance movement met under Liberty Trees to plan their next moves and stage acts of defiance.
Above the shield is the head of a deer to highlight wildlife. At the bottom is a flowing red ribbon with three folds. It bears the motto, “Freedom and Unity,” alongside the word “Vermont.” It underscores the delicate balance between personal freedom and responsibility to the community.
2. Adoption
The Vermont legislature adopted the current flag on June 1, 1923.
3. Technical Details
The flag uses a proportion of 3:5. The pine branches supporting the shield intersect at the bottom.
4. History
In 1778, Ira Allen designed the Great Seal of Vermont. Allen was a surveyor, politician, military officer, and state founder. Reuben Dean carved the seal image.
Vermont adopted the seal before reaching statehood. They used a different design in 1821 but reverted in 1937. The coat of arms borrows many elements from Allen’s seal design.
Several wars broke out from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, including the American Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War I. The Vermont militia fought in these battles using a blue flag with the state coat of arms. The governor’s flag has a similar design. In 1923, the legislature adopted it as the state flag.
5. Other Flags
The Green Mountain Boys Flag
In the 1700s, a militia group called the Green Mountain Boys formed in Vermont. It repelled New York in its attempts to control the area, allowing the territory to declare independence and achieve statehood. Their flag is a green field with a blue canton of 13 white stars.
The Second State Flag
The US flag traditionally changes every time a new state joins the Union. Designers added a star and a stripe for the first few states. In 1804, the number climbed to 17. Vermont made a state flag with 17 stars and stripes while writing the “VERMONT” on the top red bar.
The Third State Flag
In 1837, Vermont redesigned the flag with 13 red and white stripes to keep up with the US flag. However, the tiny stars gave way to a single large star with the state coat of arms at the center.
Vermont – Quick facts and state symbols
| State Abbreviation | VT |
|---|---|
| State Capital | Montpelier |
| Largest City | Burlington |
| State Size | Total (Land + Water): 9,614 sq miles; Land Only: 9,250 sq miles |
| Population | 647,464 (Estimate July 1, 2023 from United States Census Bureau) |
| Statehood | March 4, 1791 |
| State rank by population | 49th |
| State rank by date of formation | 14th |
| State rank by area | 45th |
| Number of Counties | 14 |
| Demonym | Vermonter |
| Bordering States | Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York |
| Official Language | None |
| Highest Point | Mount Mansfield 4,395 ft (1340 m) |
| Lowest point | Lake Champlain 95 to 100 ft (29 to 30 m) |
| Length | 160 miles (260 km) |
| Width | 80 miles (130 km) |
| Governor | Phil Scott (R) |
| Lieutenant Governor | Molly Gray (D) |
| Electoral Votes | 3 |
| State Motto | Freedom and Unity |
| State Nickname | Green Mountain State |
| % Water | 4.1 |
| Nobel Prize Winners | Donald J. Cram (Chemistry, 1987) Jody Williams (Peace, 1997) |
| Famous people | Carlton Fisk (Baseball player) Gabriel Mann (Actor) |
| U.S. Presidents Born in Vermont | 1. Chester Alan Arthur. 2. John Calvin Coolidge Jr. |
| State Flag |
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| State coat of arms |
|
| State Amphibian | Northern Leopard Frog |
| State Animal | Horse
|
| State Bird | Hermit thrush
|
| State Butterfly | Monarch Butterfly |
| State Fish | Brook trout
|
| State Flower | Red Clover
|
| State Fruit | Apple |
| State Gem | Grossular Garnet
|
| State Heritage Livestock | Randall Lineback Cattle
|
| State Insect | Honeybee
|
| State Marine Fossil | Beluga Whale Skeleton
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| State Mineral | Talc |
| State Reptile | Painted Turtle
|
| State Tree | Sugar Maple |
| Longitude | 71° 28′ W to 73° 26′ W |
| Latitude | 42° 44′ N to 45° 1′ N |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone |
| Website | www.vermont.gov |
| Area Codes | 802 |
| Table last updated | December 21, 2023 |
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