Delaware is one of the Middle Atlantic states of the United States, the country's second smallest state (after Rhode Island). It is bordered by Maryland (W, S), and there is a short border with Pennsylvania (N); New Jersey (E) is across the Delaware Bay and Delaware R.
Area, 2,057 sq mi (5,328 sq km).
Pop. (2000) 783,600, a 17.6% increase since the 1990 census.
Capital, Dover.
Largest city, Wilmington.
Nickname, First State.
Motto, Liberty and Independence.
State bird, blue hen chicken.
State flower, peach blossom.
State tree, American holly. 
Delaware is chiefly industrial, althou
gh agriculture is still important. Industry is heavily concentrated in the north, while farming is carried on throughout the state. Chief agricultural products are broiler chickens, soybeans, corn, and dairy products. Potatoes and other vegetables are also grown. Delaware's small fishing industry harvests mainly clams, menhaden, oysters, and scup.
Much of the state's wealth comes from industries around Wilmington, especially the chemicals industry that was founded by the Du Pont family in the 19th cent. and that continues to be one of the largest in the world. In addition to chemicals and chemical products (including nylon), industries in Delaware manufacture apparel, processed foods, rubber and plastic products, and transportation equipment.
Because of Delaware's lenient laws regulating business taxation and practice, some of the nation's largest corporations, especially banking and financial services companies, have major offices in N Delaware. Dover Air Force Base is the largest military facility in the state.
Delaware is sometimes called the Diamond State, a reference to its small size but relative wealth.
*Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2003.