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.

Official Name: Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Nickname: Bay State
Capital: Boston
Motto: Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem (Translation: By the Sword We Seek Peace, But Peace Only Under Liberty)

Population: 6,349,097 (2000 U.S. Census Bureau figure)
Population Rank: 13th of 50 states
Population Density: 767.6 persons per square mile (land area)
Communities: 302 towns; 49 cities
Chief cities and their populations:

• Boston: 589,141
• Worcester: 172,648
• Springfield: 152,082
• Lowell: 105,167
• Cambridge: 101,355
• Brockton: 94,304
• New Bedford: 93,768
• Fall River: 91,938
• Lynn: 89,050
• Quincy: 88,025 

GEOGRAPHY

Maps
Area: 8,257 square miles (land and water)
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 (15,710 sq.acres)
Number of national historical parks, seashores and historic sites: 12
Largest national area: Cape Cod National Seashore (43,500 sq. acres)

GOVERNMENT

Six constitutional officers elected for four years: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Attorney General, Treasurer and Receiver General, Auditor

Constitutional Officers:
Governor: Mitt Romney
Lieutenant Governor: Kerry Murphy Healey
Secretary of the Commonwealth: William Francis Galvin
Treasurer and Receiver General: Timothy P. Cahill
Attorney General: Thomas Reilly
Auditor: A. Joseph DeNucci

Legislature:
Official Name: General Court
Senate: 40 members elected every two years.
House of Representatives: 160 members elected every two years.

Highest Court:
Supreme Judicial Court: Chief Justice Herbert Wilkins and six Associate Justices. All are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Executive Council.

State Symbols