Vermont

In 1761, a clergyman visiting early Vermont settlers mentioned the "vert mont," or green mountains, and thus the state was named and nicknamed in one fell swoop. Those mountains are a defining characteristic of the state, affecting residents' lives in numerous ways, especially in how much "green" enters the state in the form of tourism dollars. In an effort to protect the beauty of their hills, Vermonters do not allow billboard advertising, a fact much appreciated by the leaf peepers that descend each fall. For several months of each year those green mountains are covered with white, and Vermont boasts some of the best skiing and snowboarding in New England, drawing winter sports enthusiasts from Montreal, Boston and New York City as well as vacationers who come and stay for more than just a weekend. The mountains make agriculture difficult, but the land is well suited to dairy farming. In ratio of cows to people, Vermont has the most dairy cows of any state in the union. Perhaps all of that milk is what inspired Ben and Jerry to create their now world-famous ice cream. And speaking of Ben and Jerry, contrary to popular opinion they are not the largest employer in the state. That distinction is reserved for IBM, which has a substantial presence in the Burlington area. Burlington has 38,500 residents, making it Vermont's largest city, but it is not the capital. Montpelier, with its beautiful historic state house, is the state capital and the rumor is true – it remains the only state capital that does not have a McDonalds.

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