About Vermont

Greater Burlington, Vermont has something for everyone! Quality of Life »  Number one "City to Have It All" »  Best overall standard of living in the United States »  One of the seven best retirement areas in the country »  Declared one of the 10 Great Places to Raise a Family »  The sixth best Family-Friendly place in the nation »  One of the safest states in the nation »  Rated one of America's best places to live Business »  Highest investment in the manufacturing sector »  Awarded "Dream Town" status for real life and real jobs »  Ranked a top city in which to start a business »  Rated one of the best places to live and work Environment »  Best air quality in America »  Awarded the number one independent kid friendly city »  Ranked the healthiest state in the nation »  Ranked one of the most livable cities in America Downtown »  Winner of the "Great American Main Street Award" Downtown »  Number one place for families that love outdoor sports »  One of four Outstanding Get-Away Locations in the Northeast »  Named a top Place of a Lifetime for outdoor activities Source: Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce

Vermont is the second largest state in New England after Maine. Dominating the state's geography are the Green Mountains, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.

Some 223 mountains over 2,000 feet in elevation, rise above fertile valleys that support an extensive dairy industry. The nation's sixth largest lake, Lake Champlain, runs along the state's western border.

Government
Vermont government is distinctive for its local tradition of Town Meeting Day, held the first Tuesday in March. In many towns and villages, municipal and school budgets are voted from the floor as they have been for nearly 200 years.

State government consists of two houses: 30 senators and 150 representatives are selected from designated electoral districts on the basis of population. Legislative and Gubernatorial elections are held every two years.

Industry
Vermont's highly skilled workers are employed primarily in producing electronic components and equipment, machine tools, specialty consumer products, wood products, quarried and finished stone, and printing.

Manufacturing is the major employer and the second largest sector of the state's economy (after services), producing $2.2 billion in goods ranging from computer chips to canoes, tombstones to teddy bears.

In the past 30 years, a thriving electronics industry has developed in the Burlington and Rutland areas, the state's most populous regions.

Education
Higher education is a significant industry in Vermont, employing an estimated 8,500 people. In 1996, more than 45,000 students were enrolled in public and private universities and colleges in Vermont.

The largest and oldest institution, the University of Vermont in Burlington, was founded in 1791. Norwich University in Northfield, established in 1819, is the oldest private military college in the United States.