The colony was named after a local Indian tribe whose name means "a large hill place." Massachusetts was one of the six New England states, and one of the first 13 states in the Union (it entered in 1788). The Pilgrims established their settlement at Plymouth in 1620, arriving on the "Mayflower". They were Puritans, who established the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The birthplace of many of the ideals of the American Revolution, Massachusetts attracted people who believed in self-government. Massachusetts is the sixth smallest state of the United States but it stands among the leaders in many fields. Universities in and around Boston help make the area one of the world's great cultural, educational, medical and research centers. Historic sites date back to the Pilgrims, to colonial witchcraft trials, and to the Revolutionary War. Skiing brings many visitors to the Berkshire Hills and to other parts of the state. The Atlantic Ocean and many lakes and rivers also attract water sports enthusiasts.

GOVERNMENT
Capital: Boston
Governor: Mitt Romney, D (to Jan. 2007)
Senators: Edward M. Kennedy, D (to Jan. 2005); John F. Kerry, D (to Jan. 2009)
House of Representatives: 10 districts | Search by zip code

ECONOMY
Total Gross State Product 1999 (millions of dollars): 262,564; National rank: 11; Percent change since 1990: 64%; National Rank based on Growth Rate: 22 (Including Washington, DC)
Per Capita Personal Income 2001: $38,864; National Rank: 3 (128% of the national average)
State Exports 2001 (millions of dollars): 17,490; National Rank: 10
Agriculture: Seafood, nursery stock, dairy products, cranberries, vegetables
Industry: Machinery, electric equipment, scientific instruments, printing and publishing, tourism.