Vermont Maps & Facts - World Atlas

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Vermont, also known as the “Green Mountain State”, is located in the New England region of the United States. It borders the province of Quebec, Canada, to the north, New Hampshire to the east, Massachusets to the South, and New York to the west. The Connecticut River divides Vermont and New Hampshire.

Montpelier, the capital of Vermont, is located in the north-central part of the state. Burlington, however, situated in the northeast, is the state's most populous city, boasting a population of just over 44,000 residents.

The English first settled in Vermont in 1724, building Fort Dummer in the area. In 1777, Vermont declared itself an independent republic, separate from the British colonies of New Hampshire, New York, and Quebec. Fourteen years later, it became the 14th state of the United States, which recognized its previously established constitution and laws.

Area

Vermont has a land area of 9,616 square miles (24,906 square kilometers), which makes it the sixth smallest state in the country. It is about twice the size of Qatar and ten times smaller than the United Kingdom. Compared to other US states, it is roughly the same size as Massachusetts.

Bodies of Water

Vermont is home to over 800 lakes, with 220 being bigger than 20 acres. Some of the most notable include Lake Memphremagog, at 39 miles squared (102 kilometers squared), Lake Champlain, at 490 miles squared (1,269 kilometers squared), and Lake Bomoseen, at 3.7 miles squared (9.6 kilometers squared).

Vermont also has roughly 7,099 miles (11,425 kilometers) of rivers. Three of the most significant include the Connecticut River, which forms the state’s eastern border, The Winooski River, which flows from central Vermont into Lake Champlain, and Otter Creek, which flows through western Vermont with its mouth also ending in Lake Champlain.

Geography of Vermont

Vermont is fairly hilly and mountainous and is heavily forested. The state can be divided into five physiographic regions: the Green Mountains, the Northeastern Highlands, the Taconic Mountains, the Champlain Lowlands, and the Vermont Piedmont.

Green Mountains

Vermont’s Green Mountains, a part of the Appalachian Mountain range, stretch from the Massachusetts border in the south to the Quebec border in the north. They extend for about 250 miles (400 kilometers). Deciduous forests primarily cover them, although there are also portions of coniferous forests. Grassy ski slopes, wetlands, and tundra are also scattered throughout.

Northeastern Highlands

The northeastern highlands, situated in northeastern Vermont, are characterized by metamorphic rock, nutrient-poor soil, dense forests, streams, and glacial lakes. The Northeastern Highlands are sparsely populated, with hot summers and chilling winters.

Taconic Mountains

The Taconic Mountains run along the southwestern border of Vermont, extending near the southern edge of the Green Mountains. At higher elevations, forests consist of maple-beech-birch and some spruce-fir, while at lower elevations, hickories and oaks are common. The range is composed of a local rock structure, Taconic Allochthon, which contains slate, limestone, schist, and phyllite.

Champlain Lowlands

The Champlain Lowlands extend from New York through northwestern Vermont, before ending in Quebec. Valley clay plain forests span the area, and the land is heavily used for agricultural purposes. Winters are typically very cold, although the region’s lakes slightly moderate the climate.

Vermont Piedmont

The Vermont Piedmont is primarily located in the southeastern portion of Vermont, at the foothills of the Green Mountains. The region’s bedrock is metamorphic, with calcium-rich rocks. Northern hardwood forests and oaks are common. There is also a fairly diverse agricultural presence in the areas that are not densely forested.