Â鶹APP

Top 10 Facts about Delaware state

Delaware has beautiful beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware River and Delaware Bay.

This State also known as the First State was the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution and join the Union in 1787.

Its capital is Dover where you will find the First State Heritage Park that includes 18th-century Colonial landmarks like the Georgian-style Old State House.

Wilmington is famous for the Riverfront, a waterside district of parks, cute boutiques and restaurants. This State is beautiful and has attracted several businesses.  

 Thomas Jefferson gave the state the nickname jewel hence its current nickname, The Diamond State.

There are three counties in Delaware; this is the lowest number in any of the fifty states. They are New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.

The two southern counties have traditionally been mainly agricultural while New Castle is more urbanized.

There are more facts in the top 10 facts about Delaware State.

1. Delaware is the second smallest State in America

Photo by Icy98 – Wikimedia

Delaware is the second smallest state with a land area of 1,948 sq. miles. Additionally, Delaware is the least populated state in America. Its capital city is Dover while the largest city is Wilmington.

There are 3 counties, the least in all the 50 states. The counties are New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.

The two southern counties have historically been agricultural while New Castle is more urbanized.

New Castle County is part of the Delaware Valley Metropolitan Statistical Area centred on Philadelphia.

The geography, culture, and history of this State is a mix of the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, and Southern regions of the country.

2. Delaware is considered to be the First State

In 1787, Delaware became the first state to approve the Constitution of the United States. This move made it known as The First State.

The Delaware Constitutional Convention happened in Dover, its capital, where 30 delegates unanimously ratified the U.S. Constitution.

Four months before the Constitution was signed in Dover, 55 delegates had met in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention.

They sent the Constitution to the States for ratification; it was to bind 9 of the former 13 colonies. Delaware was the first to lead the process while New Hampshire was the 9^th.

Government under the U.S. Constitution took effect on March 4, 1789.

3. Delaware is named after the first governor of Virginia

Photo sourced from Wikimedia

The state’s name comes from the first governor of Virginia, Thomas West, Lord De La Warr. Delaware River was also named after the governor.

West was the ruling governor of the Colony of Virginia at the time Europeans first explored the river.

The land was previously owned by William Penn. He wanted to keep his Pennsylvania colony from being landlocked.

Presently, Delaware is one of the most industrialized states famous for its chemical research.

4. Delaware was the last state to get a national monument

Photo by Sixflashphoto – Wikimedia

This is a surprising fact about Delaware. It was the last state to gain a national monument or park.

In 2013, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden dedicated Delaware’s First State National Monument.

The monument is found in Dover Green where Delaware ratified the Constitution. This is 1,100 acres of preserved land located between Wilmington, Delaware, and Philadelphia.

With the declaration from the President, Delaware was welcomed into the National Park Service for the first time.

5. The State is known for its Delaware chicken

Photo by Linda – Wikimedia

There is a specific chicken breed that originates from Delaware.  The chicken breed was once of relative importance to the U.S. chicken industry.

It is bred for both meat and eggs. Unfortunately, the breed is becoming endangered. Its plumage has a unique pattern and is accepted into poultry standards for showing.

These chickens have a white quill and shaft on all feathers. Their skin is yellow making a clean appearing carcass. The Delaware breed is hardy birds that mature quickly and are free-range.

George Ellis of Delaware is the one who created the breed in 1940. He bred crosses of Barred Plymouth Rock roosters on New Hampshire hens.

6. Delaware has the least number of counties

Delaware is subdivided into three counties; from north to south they are New Castle, Kent and Sussex. This is the fewest among all states.

Each of the counties elects its own legislative body which deals primarily with zoning and development issues.

Most functions handled on a county-by-county basis in other states have been centralized in Delaware.

This has led to a significant concentration of power in the Delaware state government.

Historically, the counties were divided into hundreds, which were used as tax reporting and voting districts.

7. Delaware has no sales tax

Photo by Justin Lim on Unsplash

Delaware state does not assess sales tax on consumers. However, it imposes a tax on the gross receipts of most businesses.

Business and occupational license tax rates range between 0.096% and 1.92%, depending on the category of business activity.

Additionally, Delaware does not assess a state-level tax on real or personal property.

Real estate in Delaware is subject to county property taxes, school district property taxes, vocational school district taxes, and, if located within an incorporated area, municipal property taxes.

Delaware is one of only five states without sales tax. Other states are Alaska, Oregon, Montana and New Hampshire.

8. Delaware has one of the few remaining Courts of Chancery in the nation

Delaware has one of the few remaining Courts of Chancery in the nation.

This court has jurisdiction over equity cases, the vast majority of which are corporate disputes, relating to mergers and acquisitions.

The Court of Chancery and the Delaware Supreme Court are reputable worldwide for rendering concise opinions concerning corporate law.

In addition, the Delaware General Corporation Law forms the basis of the Courts’ opinions.

It is widely regarded as giving great flexibility to corporations to manage their affairs. This makes Delaware the most business-friendly legal system in the United States.

9. The State of Delaware hosts several festivals and fairs

Photo by Dough4872 – Wikimedia

Delaware is home to several festivals, fairs, and sports events.

The most popular festivals are the Riverfest held in Seaford, the World Championship Punkin Chunkin, the Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival, and the Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral to mark the end of summer.

Through the music festivals, Delaware generates billions of dollars from tourism.

Additionally, Delaware is home to two large sporting venues. The Dover Motor Speedway in Dover, and Frawley Stadium in Wilmington, a Minor League Baseball team.

10. Several inventions came from Delaware

One of these inventions is Kevlar, a bulletproof material often used for body armour and bulletproof vehicles. It was invented by Stephanie Kwolek in 1965.

The material is made from a heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibre similar to Nomex and Technora.  

Its first commercial use was in the early 1970s as a replacement for steel in racing tires.

Further, Kevlar is used to make high heat resistance uniforms worn by firefighters, body armour worn by police officers, security, and police tactical teams such as SWAT

Kevlar is also used as combat helmets, ballistic face masks, and ballistic vests. Other military uses include bulletproof face masks and spall liners used to protect the crews of armoured fighting vehicles.