New Hampshire - The Granite State

About New Hampshire

New Hampshire, officially the State of New Hampshire, is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. With approximately 1.4 million residents in the nation's 5th smallest state by area, New Hampshire packs remarkable geographic diversity—from 18 miles of Atlantic coastline to the towering White Mountains. Concord serves as the state capital, while Manchester is the largest city and economic center.

New Hampshire was one of the original Thirteen Colonies and played a crucial role in the American Revolution. It was the first colony to establish an independent government in January 1776, six months before the Declaration of Independence, and the ninth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on June 21, 1788—the decisive vote that brought the Constitution into effect. This independent spirit continues today in the state motto "Live Free or Die," which reflects New Hampshire's libertarian streak and resistance to government intrusion.

First-in-the-Nation Presidential Primary

New Hampshire holds the first primary election in the U.S. presidential nominating process, a distinction the state has jealously guarded since 1920. Iowa holds the first caucuses, but New Hampshire conducts the first primary where voters directly cast ballots. This gives the small state outsized influence in American politics—candidates spend months campaigning in New Hampshire, attending town halls, visiting diners, and meeting voters in the state's tradition of retail politics where personal interaction matters.

The New Hampshire primary has launched political careers and ended others. Candidates who exceed expectations gain momentum ("The Comeback Kid" Bill Clinton in 1992), while those who underperform often see their campaigns falter. The state's independent-minded electorate, ability for undeclared voters to participate in either party's primary, and tradition of ticket-splitting make New Hampshire unpredictable. The state has picked candidates from both parties and frequently swings between parties in general elections.

New Hampshire takes its primary responsibility seriously. Voters expect personal interactions with candidates, detailed policy discussions, and authentic engagement. Campaign infrastructure in the state is extensive, with political operatives, media, and volunteers descending every four years. The economic impact is significant, with millions spent on advertising, staffing, and logistics. Critics argue this system gives disproportionate power to a small, unrepresentative state, but defenders maintain it forces candidates to engage directly with voters rather than relying solely on money and media.

Mount Washington & Extreme Weather

Mount Washington, at 6,288 feet, is the highest peak in the northeastern United States and one of the most dangerous small mountains in the world. The summit experiences some of Earth's most severe weather, with hurricane-force winds over 75 mph occurring on average 110 days per year. On April 12, 1934, Mount Washington Observatory recorded a surface wind speed of 231 mph, which stood as the world record for land-based wind speed for 62 years and remains the record for the Northern and Western Hemispheres.

The mountain's extreme weather results from its position where three major storm tracks converge, creating a battleground for air masses. The summit sits above treeline in an alpine zone with conditions more similar to northern Canada than the surrounding valleys. Temperatures can plummet to -50°F with wind chills below -100°F. Heavy rime ice accumulates on structures, building bizarre frozen formations. The weather is so severe that over 150 people have died on the mountain, many from hypothermia in summer when hikers unprepared for rapidly changing conditions encounter deadly weather.

Despite the dangers, Mount Washington attracts adventurers year-round. The Mount Washington Auto Road, built in 1861, allows tourists to drive or take guided tours to the summit. The Mount Washington Cog Railway, the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway (1869), carries passengers on a scenic three-hour round trip. Experienced hikers tackle the mountain via the Appalachian Trail and other routes, while winter mountaineers test their skills in some of the East's most challenging conditions. The Mount Washington Observatory maintains year-round staffing, conducting weather research and education.

Live Free or Die: No Taxes Philosophy

New Hampshire's state motto "Live Free or Die" reflects more than revolutionary heritage—it embodies the state's modern political culture emphasizing personal freedom and limited government. New Hampshire is one of only five states with no general sales tax and one of nine with no tax on earned income. The state funds government through property taxes, business taxes, and fees, resulting in a unique tax structure that attracts residents from high-tax neighboring states, particularly Massachusetts.

This tax-free approach has advantages and challenges. New Hampshire consistently ranks among the lowest tax burden states, attracting businesses and residents who value keeping more of their income. The state's quality of life, good schools, low crime, and natural beauty make it appealing despite some of the nation's highest property taxes. However, the lack of broad-based taxation creates funding challenges for infrastructure, education, and social services. The state has struggled with education funding equity, leading to court battles over property tax-based school financing.

New Hampshire's libertarian streak extends beyond taxes. The Free State Project, launched in 2001, recruited libertarians to move to New Hampshire to influence state politics toward maximum freedom and minimal government. Thousands have relocated, and some have won seats in the state legislature. New Hampshire has no mandatory seatbelt law for adults, no motorcycle helmet requirement, and relatively permissive gun laws. This independence-minded culture clashes at times with the state's traditional conservatism and more progressive voters, particularly in the seacoast and college towns, creating a politically dynamic and often unpredictable environment.

Fall Foliage & Tourism

New Hampshire's fall foliage is legendary, attracting leaf-peepers from around the world to witness the spectacular autumn display. The state's deciduous forests—dominated by sugar maples, oaks, birches, and beeches—transform into vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows each September and October. The White Mountains provide particularly stunning vistas, with colorful valleys framed by granite peaks. The Kancamagus Highway, a 34.5-mile scenic byway through the White Mountains, is considered one of America's greatest fall foliage drives.

Tourism is a major economic driver in New Hampshire, generating billions in annual revenue. Beyond fall foliage, visitors come for skiing and snowboarding at resorts like Loon, Cannon, Waterville Valley, and Bretton Woods. Summer brings hikers tackling the state's portion of the Appalachian Trail, including the challenging Presidential Range traverse. The Lakes Region, centered on Lake Winnipesaukee, is a summer vacation destination with boating, fishing, and lakeside communities. Portsmouth, New Hampshire's only seaport, combines colonial history with a vibrant culinary and cultural scene.

New Hampshire's tourism benefits from its proximity to major population centers—Boston is just an hour from the New Hampshire border, and millions of New Englanders use the state as a weekend escape. The lack of sales tax makes shopping attractive, leading to development of outlet malls near the Massachusetts border. North Conway's outlet shopping combined with mountain scenery creates a popular destination. However, tourism seasonality creates economic challenges for communities heavily dependent on visitors, and the state works to promote shoulder season and winter tourism to stabilize the industry.

Colonial History & Revolutionary War

New Hampshire's European settlement began in the 1620s, making it one of America's oldest colonies. The region was named New Hampshire by Captain John Mason after Hampshire County in England. Portsmouth, founded in 1623, became a major shipbuilding center and the colonial capital. New Hampshire's forests provided timber for ship masts, particularly the tall, straight white pines prized by the British Royal Navy. Conflict over these timber resources contributed to revolutionary sentiment.

New Hampshire played a significant but sometimes overlooked role in the American Revolution. The colony established an independent government in January 1776, becoming the first to formally break from British rule. New Hampshire militia fought at Bunker Hill (the Battle of Bunker Hill actually occurred on Breed's Hill, and the three regiments from New Hampshire were crucial to the American position). John Stark, New Hampshire's most famous Revolutionary War general, led troops at Bunker Hill and later achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Bennington in 1777, declaring beforehand: "There are your enemies, the Red Coats and the Tories. They are ours, or this night Molly Stark sleeps a widow!"

New Hampshire was the ninth and decisive state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on June 21, 1788. Under the Constitution's terms, nine states were required for ratification to take effect—New Hampshire's vote brought the new government into existence. The state convention in Exeter debated intensely before voting 57-47 to ratify, reflecting the serious consideration given to this momentous decision. New Hampshire's role in both declaring independence first and providing the decisive Constitution ratification vote demonstrates its pivotal position in American founding.

Major Cities

Counties

New Hampshire has 10 counties. Major counties include:

Interesting Facts

Neighboring States

New Hampshire also shares a short border with Quebec, Canada to the north.