Delaware
First State · Capital: Dover · South (South Atlantic)
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Bordering states: Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey.
About Delaware
Delaware occupies the eastern side of the Delmarva Peninsula, bordered by Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Its northern boundary is an arc with a twelve mile radius centred on the courthouse in New Castle, taken from the 1682 deed that gave the area to William Penn. North of the fall line at Wilmington lies hard Piedmont rock; the other ninety percent is Atlantic Coastal Plain. The highest point, beside the Ebright Azimuth marker, is about 450 feet, and the mean elevation of about 60 feet is the lowest of any state. Each May the beaches of Delaware Bay host the largest spawning population of horseshoe crabs on earth.
The Lenape and Nanticoke lived here when the Dutch tried to settle near Lewes in 1631, an outpost destroyed within a year. In 1638 Peter Minuit, sailing for Sweden, founded Fort Christina, which grew into Wilmington. The Dutch seized New Sweden in 1655, and the Duke of York deeded the three counties to Penn in 1682. On June 15, 1776 their assembly voted to separate from both the British crown and Pennsylvania, and on July 2 Caesar Rodney rode overnight to Philadelphia to break his delegation's tie for independence. On December 7, 1787 a convention in Dover ratified the Constitution unanimously, before any other state: hence the First State. It permitted slavery yet never left the Union.
The 2020 census counted 989,948 residents, up 10.2 percent from 2010, giving the state one House seat. Dover is the capital and Wilmington the largest city, and the state has only three counties. E. I. du Pont built gunpowder mills on the Brandywine in 1802, and the company's Experimental Station produced nylon in 1935. The Court of Chancery and the 1899 General Corporation Law made Delaware the legal home of American business. Notable figures include the Dover-born astronomer Annie Jump Cannon and Joe Biden, who represented Delaware in the Senate for 36 years.
4 fun facts about Delaware
- Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution, on December 7, 1787.
- It is the second-smallest state by area, yet more than two thirds of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated there, drawn by its corporate law and courts.
- The state has only three counties, the fewest of any state.
- President Joe Biden was born in Scranton, PA, but represented Delaware in the US Senate for 36 years.
More about Delaware
Delaware geography and climate
Frequently asked questions about Delaware
Is Delaware a US state?
Yes, Delaware is one of the 50 US states. It was admitted to the Union in 1787, making it the 1st state. Its capital is Dover and its largest city is Wilmington.
What is the capital of Delaware?
The capital of Delaware is Dover. Note that the largest city in Delaware is Wilmington, not the capital, a common point of confusion.
When did Delaware become a state?
Delaware became a US state in 1787. It is the 1st state admitted to the Union.
What is the abbreviation for Delaware?
The 2-letter USPS abbreviation for Delaware is DE.
How big is Delaware?
Delaware ranks #49 of 50 US states by area. With 508.0 residents per square mile in 2020, it was the 6th most densely populated state.
What is the population of Delaware?
Delaware had 989,948 residents at the 2020 census, the 45th largest population of the 50 states, up 10.2% since 2010. That count gives it 1 seat in the US House of Representatives.
What region is Delaware in?
Delaware is in the South region of the United States, per the US Census Bureau (South Atlantic division), though it is often grouped with the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic.
What time zone is Delaware in?
Delaware observes Eastern Time.
Learn more
How to learn the 50 states (full guide)
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