New Hampshire

New Englanders as a whole are proud of their connections to the early days of the American republic. One of the thirteen original colonies, New Hampshire maintains much of its original pioneer spirit. Its residents remain true to the state's great revolutionary motto, "Live Free or Die." One of the few states without an income tax, its libertarian spirit sets it apart from its more sedate New England neighbors.

English settlers first arrived in the 1620s, in search of fish along the state's narrow and rocky coast. They quickly discovered the riches of the vast forests to the north, and a brisk trade in timber and furs soon developed. By the time of the Revolutionary War, New Hampshire was a leading producer of ships for England's commercial and military fleets.

Today, New Hampshire is a prime vacation spot for the many people who live in the crowded Northeast Corridor that stretches from Washington, D.C. to Boston. The state has miles of undeveloped forests, ideal for hiking and 'getting back to nature'. There is no shortage of water either. In addition to a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, the state has 1300 lakes and over 40,000 miles of rivers--all in an area 50 miles wide and less than 200 hundred miles long!

New Hampshire is also called the 'Granite State' due to its rocky soil. Underneath the state's extensive forest lies some of the best building stone in the country, and New Hampshire quarries have provided the raw materials for many office buildings throughout the Northeast. The casual visitor, however, sees only the trees and the beautiful mountain views. The evergreen forest of the White Mountains in the northern part of the state is a particularly attractive area for tourists seeking the classic New England experience.