About Delaware

Delaware is a state of the United States also known as the "First State" because it was the first of the 13 initial colonies to ratify (December 7th, 1787) the United States Constitution. It is located on the Eastern Side of the United States, and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay, as well as by the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Delaware is neighbored by the major metropolitan areas of Baltimore, Washington DC and Philadelphia.

Delaware became a state in 1776, immediately after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The current constitution has been adopted in 1879, however it has been modernized with amendments last century.

The industrial economy of Delaware relies on agriculture, fishing industry, manufacturing and mining. Much more developed are the services, usually providers of legal and financial advice. This is possible thanks to the liberal policy of Delaware regarding company formation within the state and the tax benefits.

Delaware Geography

Delaware is bordered in the north by the State of Pennsylvania and in the west and south by the State of Maryland. Delaware also has natural borders: to the east with the Delaware River and with the Atlantic Ocean.

Delaware is located in the Delmarva Peninsula with parts of Maryland and Virginia and stretches from 38°27'N to 39°50'N on latitude and from 75°2'W to 75°47'W on longitude. Its area of 2,489 square miles makes it rank 49th after the Rhode Island, and also 535 square miles of it is water area. Its size does not leave much room for a variety of land forms and most of the state lies on a flat coastal plain.

Since the great majority of Delaware is a part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the climate is moderated by the effects of the ocean. The highest temperature recorded in Delaware is 110°F (Millsboro, 1930) and the lowest -17°F (also at Millsboro, 1893). The southern third of the state has a mild subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The middle portion is the transition to the upper portion of the state, which has a warm continental climate and receives occasional winter snowfall. Delaware's average altitude is about 60 feet above sea level, making it the lowest average altitude of any state.

Many small rivers flow across the state, some flowing east to the Delaware, others west across Maryland to the Chesapeake, in the north the Christina and Brandywine flow into the Delaware and in the south the Nanticoke flows southwest to Chesapeake Bay.

People of Delaware

According to the 2000 US Census, Delaware population is 783,600 ranking 45th in the nation. However, the state area is small enough to make Delaware rank the 7th position in the density top with 401.1 per square mile. More recent information states that Delaware's population in 2003 was 817,491, having an important positive trend.

Racially, Delaware is 73% white, 20% black and 5% hispanic. The Delaware native Americans (or Lenni Lenape) are not very well represented, just 0.3%. Over a half of the population are Protestants (mostly Methodists and Baptists) and a quarter are Catholic.

The unemployment rate in August 2003 was 4.6% with a small positive trend. However, the state rate is lower than the nations one, 6.1% at that time; the per capita personal income was $34,199, ranking 9th in the nation. More actual figures estimate an unemployment rate of 4.1% which seemed to be constant in 2004 and Q1 2005.

The State of Delaware has a modern educational system, the student testing ratings being over the national rates. There are 181 public and 773 nonpublic (grades K-12) schools in the state. Delaware is also the home of eight prestigious universities and colleges.

Government of Delaware

In colonial days, Delaware's governor was expected to protect English royal interests. That's why our first constitution after independence gave the executive little power. Delaware's fourth and current constitution was adopted in 1897 and provides for executive, judicial and legislative bodies but also made the governor the greatest single authority in state government, yet he still shared administrative duties with many boards and commissions he appointed but did not control. These boards and commissions were the basic policy makers of the executive branch, and were designed to give balanced representation to all three counties (Kent County, New Castle County, and Sussex County).

Except for amendments to the state constitution, all bills passed by the General Assembly are sent to the Governor for his consideration, which once signed they become laws. If he does not approve, he returns it to the General Assembly with his reasons for rejection. This is called a veto. If each of the two houses of the General Assembly passes the bill again with a three-fifths majority (over 60%), it becomes law without his signature, overriding his veto.

New agencies were created to handle new programs until by the 1960s ending with more than 140 state agencies. Some studies beginning as early as 1918 finally resulted in the adoption of a strong executive cabinet system in 1971.

The present governor of Delaware is Ruth Ann Minner (Democrat) and the lieutenant governor is John C. Carney (Delaware is one of the few states that elect the governor and lieutenant governor separately).

General Assembly of Delaware

The lawmaking body of Delaware is called the General Assembly. It consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The senate has 21 members, who are elected for four-year terms, and the house of representatives has 41 members, who are elected for two-year terms. Half of the Senate seats are contested in each general election.

The General Assembly meets in the state capital of Dover, Delaware for legislative debate sessions.

The upper house was called Council during 1776 - 1792, named later Senate. The lower house was named simply Assembly in the same time period, renamed later to House of Representatives. These changes were applied when the second constitution was adopted in June 12, 1792.

As an off-topic note, Delaware is represented in the U.S. Congress by two senators and one representative and has three electoral votes.

Judicial Branch of Delaware

The Delaware Court System has roots and history that go back hundreds of years. Each court has a purpose and a type of case that it is allowed to handle. This is called that court's "jurisdiction". The courts of Delaware are:
 


The Chancery Court is renowned world-wide as the pre-eminent forum for corporate matters. Many matters that involve the management of a corporation's inner workings are within the jurisdiction of Chancery Court.


Chancery Court is a court of equity, as opposed to a court of law. Most states don't separate the types of legal remedies available to litigants into equity and law the way that Delaware does. An equity court is the type that can issue temporary injunctions, and declaratory judgments.

Doing Business in Delaware

Delaware is a small but prosperous state, the economy of which benefits from the large urban markets nearby. During much of the past two centuries, manufacturing was the leading economic activity.

In the late 1990s, however, the finance sector provided the greatest share of the state's economy, with many people employed in commerce, service industries, or government agencies as well. Partly because of Delaware's relatively lenient corporate-tax laws, many businesses are incorporated in the state even though virtually all their activities are carried on elsewhere.

Due to its warm business climate, many out-of-state businesses choose to incorporate in Delaware (since1990, more than half of the country's Fortune 500 companies were incorporated in Wilmington).

As an off-topic none, Delaware along with Alaska, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon are the only five states having no sales tax.

Traveling in Delaware

Although it is a small state, a little short on land, but it's long on water, Delaware has numerous recreational facilities and is noted for its historic sites and buildings.

Delaware can provide travelers with a lot of activities in just a few days' time. Those with a week or more will find the Delaware shore a relaxing place to linger.

Facilities for swimming, boating, and other water sports are located at numerous places along the coast, and camping, hiking, and picnicking are popular pastimes in the state parks and forests. There are no national parks or national forests.

Much of Delaware is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, its southern beaches and beach towns are a big draw. All have sand and sea, but they are remarkably different, ranging from tranquil stretches of protected shoreline to low-key resort towns to busy vacation centers such as Rehoboth Beach.

There are some interesting things to do away from the water, as well. Northern Delaware has a strong list of cultural attractions, including the remarkable Winterthur Museum in the Brandywine Valley, one of several attractions initially owned by the du Pont family.

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