Its nicknames: Granite State, Mother of Rivers,

Switzerland of America, White Mountain State.

An old Yankee home, New England to the core

Nestled between Maine and Vermont, and extending from Massachusetts to the Canadian border, New Hampshire lies in the heart of New England. It can easily lay claim to being the state most representative of New England.

Nature prevails in its northern reaches, where people are scarce and wildlife is not only plentiful but relatively undisturbed. Bears, moose, and bobcats roam the dense woods, while minks, beavers, and otters frolic in streams and ponds. In White Mountain National Forest stands of pines, spruces, maples and birches skirt breathtaking gorges and dramatic cliffs. The highest peaks in New England bear the names of American statesmen and presidents: Adams, Elsenhower, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Webster - and, most majestic of all, 6,288-foot Mount Washington.

South of White Mountain National Forest, lie many crystal-clear lakes. Their names - Kanasatka, Winona, Winmsquam, Ossipee -conjure up visions of the Indians who once plied their waters with birchbark canoes. Largest of the lakes is Winmpesaukee, whose name means "smile of the Great Spirit."

The southwestern corner of New Hampshire is a serene and scenic land with classic New England villages.

Most of the state's residents live and work in Southeastern New Hampshire. Some of them are descended from the original British settlers; others, from European or Canadian immigrants. Whatever their ancestry, however, they proudly uphold the Yankee traditions of thrift, conservatism, and especially independence - as evidenced by the state's motto stamped on every New Hampshire license plate:

"Live Free or Die"!

In 1788 New Hampshire became the ninth state by ratifying U.S. Constitution.

(”The USA Diversity of 50 States”)