Delaware

Nickname: The First State (first to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1787)

Capital: Dover

Largest City: Wilmington

Population: ~1.05 million (2024 est.)

Area: 2,489 square miles (2nd smallest U.S. state)

Region: Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern U.S.

Borders: Pennsylvania (north), New Jersey (northeast across Delaware River), Maryland (west and south), Atlantic Ocean (east)

Climate

Wilmington
- Largest city in the state
- Financial and corporate hub (many Fortune 500 companies incorporated here)
- Located in New Castle County
Dover
- Capital of Delaware
- Home to state government and Dover Air Force Base
- Second-largest city
Newark
- Home of the University of Delaware
- Major college town with a strong research and academic presence
Middletown
- Fastest-growing city in the state
- Known for suburban living, schools, and new development
Smyrna
- Located in both Kent and New Castle Counties
- Growing residential community
Milford
- Historic downtown and arts district
- Located in Kent and Sussex Counties
Seaford
- Commercial center of western Sussex County
- Known for its small-town charm
Georgetown
- County seat of Sussex County
- Known for its multicultural community and legal center
Elsmere
- Suburban town near Wilmington
- Part of the greater Wilmington metro area
Laurel

University of Delaware (UD) – Newark
- Type: Public Research University
- Founded: 1743
- Highlights:
  - Flagship and largest university in the state
  - Strong programs in Engineering, Business, Chemical Sciences, and Agriculture
  - Classified as an R1 (very high research activity) university
  - Known for its Biden School of Public Policy and Administration
Delaware State University (DSU) – Dover
- Type: Public, Historically Black College/University (HBCU)
- Founded: 1891
- Highlights:
  - Strong programs in Agriculture, Education, and Health Sciences
  - Actively involved in research and STEM outreach
  - Recently merged with Wesley College
Wilmington University – New Castle (main campus)
- Type: Private, Nonprofit
- Founded: 1968
- Highlights:
  - Career-focused programs in Business, Education, IT, and Nursing
  - Offers online and flexible learning programs
  - Large adult learner and military-friendly student base
Goldey–Beacom College – Wilmington
- Type: Private
- Founded: 1886
- Highlights:
  - Specializes in Business, Economics, and Management
  - Offers undergraduate to doctoral-level degrees
Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) – Wilmington
- Type: Private
- Founded: 1997
- Highlights:
  - Offers associate degrees in Fine Arts, Animation, Photography, Graphic Design
  - Focused on visual arts and creative career preparation

Position: 46th President of the United States (2021–present); former Vice President (2009–2017)
Senator: Represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009
Hometown: Lived in Wilmington
Legacy: Known for decades of public service, foreign policy expertise, and efforts in criminal justice reform and infrastructure

Role: Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Famous For: Made a legendary overnight ride to Philadelphia to cast the deciding vote for independence
Legacy: Featured on the Delaware state quarter and deeply honored in Delaware history

Position: U.S. Senator from Delaware (2001–2025), former Governor of Delaware, and U.S. Representative
Legacy: One of the few people to serve in all three major statewide offices

Known For: Inventor of Kevlar (a high-strength fiber used in bulletproof vests)
Employer: Worked at DuPont (headquartered in Wilmington, DE)
Legacy: One of the most influential women in science and a pioneer in polymer chemistry

Field: Chemistry
Award: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2010) for palladium-catalyzed cross coupling
Affiliation: Conducted research while at the University of Delaware
Contribution: The “Heck Reaction” is a fundamental chemical process in organic synthesis