Higher Education  

Delaware has two universities, three colleges, and four community colleges. Located in Newark, the University of Delaware is the state's largest institution of higher learning. Delaware State University is located in Dover. Private colleges offering four-year programs include Wilmington College, in New Castle; Goldey Beacom College, in Wilmington; and Wesley College, in Dover. The Delaware Technical and Community College system has two-year campuses in Dover, Georgetown, Wilmington, and Newark.

Geography

Covering 5,294 square kilometers, Delaware ranks forty-ninth in size among the fifty states. The state is located on the Delmarva Peninsula, which lies between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. Most of Delaware is situated on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, and the state has about 45 kilometers of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. The northern tip of the state is on the edge of the wide plateau known as the Piedmont. Major rivers in the state are the Delaware River and the Christina River. Delaware's largest cities are Wilmington, Newark, and Dover (capital). The state's population is around 670,000.

Climate

Delaware's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean gives the state a very humid climate. Summers can be very hot and winters are usually mild. Average temperatures in the northern part of the state range from -4° to 6° C in January and from 18° to 31° C in July. In the southern part of the state, average temperatures range from -0.5° to 8° C in January and from 21° to 29° C in July. Delaware averages about 117 cm of precipitation annually.

Cultural Profile

Among the state's museums are the Delaware State Museum and the Delaware Agricultural Museum, in Dover; Island Field Historical Museum, near Dover; Hagley Museum, near Wilmington; and the Delaware Museum of Natural History, the Delaware Art Museum, and the Winterthur Museum, in Wilmington.

Wilmington is the main site for Delaware's cultural activities. The city has both a symphony orchestra and a drama league. Delaware's Center for the Performing Arts, located in Wilmington, hosts theater, dance, music, opera, and film. Theatrical road companies perform at the Playhouse, also in Wilmington. Many performances are also hosted by Delaware's colleges and universities.

Recreation

Delaware has ten state parks and four state forests. Among the state's recreation areas are Brandywine Creek, northwest of Wilmington; Delaware Seashore; Fenwick Island; Fort Delaware; and Lums Pond, near Newark. Popular outdoor activities include camping, swimming, fishing, hunting, and boating.

Interesting Facts

Delaware is known as the "First State" because it adopted the US constitution in 1787 before any other state. US astronauts who went to the moon wore spacesuits made in Delaware. Nylon was created in Delaware. Some famous Delawareans include Howard Pyle (writer and illustrator of children's books), Thomas Coleman du Pont (industrialist, philanthropist, and politician), Judge Rheinhold (actor), Valerie Bertinelli (actress), and Upton Sinclair (writer and social reformer).

 

General Information State Bird: Blue Hen Chicken State Flower: Peach Blossom State Tree: American Holly State Capitol: Dover Area: 5,328 sq. km Population: 666,000 Elevation: 135m-0m Major Cities: Wilmington Industry Information Agriculture Industry: Broilers, Corn, Soybeans and Milk Fishing Industry: Crabs and Clams Mining Industry: Sand & Gravel and Magnesium Manufacturing Industry: Chemical, Food Products, Plastic Products, Primary Metals and Printed Materials Temperature Range Spring Temperature (range): 4C / 17C (Wilmington) Summer Temperature (range): 18C / 31C (Wilmington) Fall Temperature (range): 7C / 19C (Wilmington) Winter Temperature (range): -4C / 6C (Wilmington)