The town of New Castle, a port on the Delaware River, became the colonial capital of the “Three Lower Counties” (Delaware) in 1704. Under Pennsylvania’s Deputy Governor John Evans, the assemblies of the colonies of Pennsylvania and Delaware separated though legislation enacted in both assemblies still required the Pennsylvania governor’s signature. In November of 1704, four representatives from each county – New Castle, Kent, and Sussex met in the town and passed the colony’s first two laws. One confirmed all laws previously enacted by the joint assembly of the colonies of Pennsylvania and Delaware. The second law changed the number of representatives from each county from four to six. William Rodeney (as he spelled his name) of Kent County, grandfather of Caesar Rodney, served as the first-known speaker of the assembly. His grandson, Caesar, presided over the last colonial assembly in Delaware. The “Three Lower Counties” remained a part of Pennsylvania until 1776 when economic, cultural, and political differences fostered a permanent separation. The capital was moved from New Castle to Dover in 1777.
On the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, Delaware is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay, as well as by the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Delaware's location affords easy access to the major metropolitan areas of the Northeast. Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore are all within a 2-hour drive.
During the early colonial period Delaware was identified as “The Three Lower Counties.” Though the colony had its own assembly in 1704, it was still considered a part of Pennsylvania. On June 15, 1776, Delaware separated officially from Pennsylvania. Approximately three months later on September 20, 1776, representatives from the counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex adopted the state’s first constitution. They established a bicameral form of government and identified the name of its government as “The Delaware State.” This name changed to “State of Delaware” with the adoption of the second state constitution in 1792. Delaware's current constitution was adopted in 1897, but has been modernized with several amendments since that time. Today, Delaware has a cabinet form of government.
The General Assembly, Delaware's lawmaking body, is comprised of a State House of Representatives, whose 41 members are elected for two-year terms, and a State Senate, whose 21 members are elected for four-year terms. Half of the Senate seats are contested in each general election.
The State Supreme Court consists of a chief justice and four associate justices. All members are appointed by the governor, with confirmation by the Senate, for a term of 12 years.
Delaware ranks 49th in the nation with a total area of 1,982 square miles. New Castle County is 438 square miles. Kent County is 594 square miles. Sussex County is 950 square miles. Delaware is 96 miles long and varies from 9 to 35 miles in width.
Delaware's climate is moderate year round. Average monthly temperatures range from 75.8 to 32.0 degrees. Average temperature in the summer months is 74.3 degrees. About 57% of the days are sunny. Annual precipitation is approximately 45 inches. Temperatures along the Atlantic Coast are about 10 degrees warmer in winter and 10 degrees cooler in summer. The average growing season varies from 170 to 200 days.
Highest -- 447.85 ft. above sea level near Ebright Road in New Castle County.
Lowest -- sea level along the coast.
2000 Population Estimate - 783,600; 45th among the states; Density: 401 persons per square mile. For additional information, go to the U.S. Census Bureau web site.
Agriculture -- broilers, soybeans, corn, milk.
Fishing Industry -- crabs, clams.
Manufacturing -- chemicals, food products, paper products, rubber and plastics products, primary metals, printed materials.
Mining -- sand and gravel, magnesium compounds.
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