Vermont is also known by its nickname “The Green Mountain State.” As the state’s name is derived from the French words vert mont, meaning “green mountain,” about 75% of its total land area is covered by forests. Vermont is the sixth smallest US state in terms of size, and has one of the most racially homogenous populations (94.3% are whites).
First controlled by the French and then by the British, Vermont was subject to several control disputes by nearby colonies for many years. In 1777, the region became the Vermont Republic which lasted until 1791, when it became the 14th state to join the Union. Vermont was also one of the Thirteen Colonies who gained independence from the British.
Vermont is one of the states in the New England region (whose other states include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island). However, it is the only state in that region which does not border on the Atlantic Ocean.
The Morgan horse is one of the earliest horse breeds in the US. Vermont, which was responsible in improving the Morgan horse, designated it as its official state animal in 1961.
The red clover (Trifolium pratense) was made as Vermont’s official state flower in 1894.
Vermont has two state insects, and one of them is the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) which was designated as the state butterfly in 1987.
The ubiquitous apple (Malus domestica) was declared by Vermont as its official state fruit in 1999. By the way, the apple pie was named as the official state pie also in that same year.