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Eleven things you must know about Delaware
Herald Features Editor
For many, many years there has been a perception that the GeoQuiz picks on the state of Delaware. This perception is terribly unfounded.
Here at GeoQuiz, we absolutely do not pick on Delaware. We know for a fact it is the most insignificant state, and although we may go out of our way sometimes to say so, is that really “picking on” something?
Well, you be the judge.
But seriously, what can you say about Delaware? This is a state shaped liked a rectangle with a couple bites taken out of it. And it’s about the same size as, say, a cookie wafer.
Well, let’s get on with the quiz. After all, there’s a lot not to know about Delaware.
(Answers on Page 11C.)
1. Which state does not have a National Park Service entity (a national park, historic site, monument, memorial, battlefield, etc.)?
2. Name the smallest and second-smallest U.S. states in size, in that order.
3. Five states have fewer people than Delaware’s 853,000, which puts it 45th in the nation. Name those states.
4. The University of Delaware Blue Hens are a perennial football power, but in the NCAA’s second-tier division. The state of Delaware is one of the few in the nation to not have a Division I Subdivision school. Heck, even Wyoming (pop. 515,000) has a top-tier college football team.
So the question, because we need a question here, is: In what city would you find the University of Delaware?
5. What state gets credit for being the first state, even though this honor really should go to New Hampshire, which was the ninth state but made the union official when it ratified the Constitution?
6. Name Delaware’s two largest cities, and name its capital city.
7. The first major company run by this famous Delaware family opened in 1802 as a gunpowder mill. In the 20th century the company got big, making nylon, Teflon and some other “lons” of which you’ve probably never heard.
8. Name the three states – all much more significant – that border Delaware.
9. If you live there, you are considered to be a) a Delawarean, b) a Delawarite, c) a Delawarester, or d) Delawaric.
10. Delaware’s official state motto is: a) The Corporate Tax Break State, b) The Wafer State, c) The Diamond State, d) The Underachiever State, e) The White Sand State.
11. Those affiliated with the GeoQuiz have very little chance of making friends in which of these states: a) Delaware.
johnp@durangoherald.com
Answers to the GeoQuiz
1. Delaware. The National Park Service takes care of 391 sites on 84 million acres. None of these are in Delaware. So if you watch the PBS special about national parks, don’t be surprised if they don’t mention a certain state that rhymes with underwear.
2. Rhode Island is smallest at 1,545 square miles. But Delaware is a proud second-smallest with 2,489 square miles.
3. Wyoming has the fewest people, followed by Vermont, North Dakota, Alaska and South Dakota. Interestingly, Delaware’s growth rate appears to be higher than any of these states.
4. Newark. No, not the city in New Jersey. There’s a Newark, Del.
5. Delaware, which was the first state to ratify the Constitution. That just shows how desperate its citizens were to be part of something.
6. Wilmington and Dover. Dover is the capital.
7. Du Pont.
8. Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
9. a) Delawarean.
10. c) The Diamond State. Supposedly, Thomas Jefferson referred to this state as a “jewel.” Wasn’t Thomas Jefferson a politician?
For more information about the awesome state of Delaware and all its underrated gems,
visit www.visitdelaware.com.
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