Massachusetts, U.S. state in New England, United States.
Massachusetts spans from the forested Berkshire Mountains in the west to the coastal plains and sandy beaches of Cape Cod in the east, covering 10,554 square miles (27,336 square kilometers). The geography includes river valleys, rolling hills, and a heavily indented Atlantic coastline with numerous bays and offshore islands.
The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in 1620, establishing one of the earliest European colonies in New England. The territory became the sixth state to join the Union in 1788 following independence, and developed into a center of textile manufacturing and shipbuilding during the 19th century before transitioning to its current knowledge economy.
The state hosts over 120 colleges and universities, including several institutions that have shaped global research and innovation for centuries. This academic concentration has created a society where education remains deeply embedded in regional identity, continuing to drive economic development and cultural exchange across communities.
Boston Logan International Airport provides direct connections to destinations worldwide, while Amtrak trains link the region with New York and other cities. Late summer and early fall are considered ideal visiting periods when fall foliage transforms the interior into displays of red and gold, and milder weather supports outdoor activities.
The official state cookie is the chocolate chip cookie, invented in 1930 at the Toll House Inn in Whitman when Ruth Wakefield mixed chopped chocolate into cookie dough. The original recipe remains in use today and has become one of the most recognized baked goods worldwide.
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