Massachusetts Facts

A Profile of Massachusetts

Massachusetts is one of the original 13 states (6th) of the Union (February 6, 1788). Boston, the capital of Massachusetts since its founding, dates from 1630.

Capital: Boston

Motto: Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem (Translation: By the Sword We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty)

Nickname: The BAY STATE or the OLD BAY STATE is the nickname most commonly attached to Massachusetts. She is also occasionally referred to as the Old Colony State, the Puritan State, and the Baked Bean State.

Population: (2010 Census) 6,547,629 total.

Chief Cities with Populations:

Boston - 617,594

Brockton - 93,810

Worcester - 181,045

New Bedford - 95,072

Springfield - 153,060

Fall River - 88,857

Lowell - 106,519

Lynn - 90,329

Cambridge - 105,162

Quincy - 92,271

Geography

Area: 8,257 sq. miles

Largest body of water: Quabbin Reservoir (39 sq. miles)

Longest river: Charles River (80 miles)

Highest elevation: Mt. Greylock (3,491)

Lowest elevation: Atlantic Ocean (sea level)

Number of state parks: 107

Largest state park: October Mtn. State Forest, Lee (16,300 acres)

Number of national historical parks, seashores, & historic sites: 12

Largest national area: Cape Cod National Seashore (43,500 sq. acres)

Finance

(fiscal year ending June 30, 2010) *From "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Statement Supplement, Dated September 12, 201"

Total Budgeted expenditures and other uses: $31,194,400,000

Total budgeted revenues and other uses: $31,080,800,000

Government

Constitutional Officers:

Governor: Deval Patrick

Lieutenant Governor: Tim Murray

Secretary of the Commonwealth: William Francis Galvin

Treasurer and Receiver General: Steven Grossman

Attorney General: Martha Coakley

Auditor: Suzanne M. Bump

Legislature:

Official Name: General Court

Senate: 40 members elected every two years

Representatives: 160 members elected every two years

Highest Court:

Supreme Judicial Court: Chief Justice Roderick L. Ireland and six Associate Justices. All are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Executive Council.