New Hampshire (IPA: /nu hmp.i/) is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America named after the southern English county of Hampshire. The state ranks 44th in land area, 46th in total area of the 50 states, and 41st in population. It was one of the original Thirteen Colonies and became the ninth state to ratify the United States Constitution. New Hampshire was the first U.S. state to have its own state constitution, and is the only state without a general sales tax nor a personal income tax.[2]
It is internationally famous for the New Hampshire primary, the first primary in the quadrennial U.S. presidential election cycle.
Its license plates carry the state motto: "Live Free or Die." The state nickname is "The Granite State", in reference both to its geology and to its tradition of self-sufficiency. Several other official nicknames exist but are rarely used.[3]
A number of famous individuals come from New Hampshire, such as Senator Daniel Webster, editor Horace Greeley, founder of the Christian Science religion Mary Baker Eddy, author Dan Brown, and comedians Adam Sandler and Sarah Silverman. New Hampshire produced one president, Franklin Pierce.
New Hampshire's recreational attractions include skiing and other winter sports, observing the spectacular fall foliage, summer cottages along many lakes, motor sports at the New Hampshire International Speedway, home of NASCAR events and the Loudon Classic, and Bike Week, a popular motorcycle rally associated with the Loudon Classic, held in Laconia in June.
