Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism 100 Cambridge St. 13th Floor Boston, MA 02202 (800) 447-6277 [800-447-MASS] (excluding AK, HI); (617) 727-3201 Road Conditions Hotline (617) 374-1234 (recording) Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (508) 792-7270

• Speed Limit : 65 • Studded Tires Permitted from Nov. 1 - Apr. 1 • Child Restraints Required • Seat Belts Required • Auto Liability Insurance Mandatory • Overnight Off-Road Parking Permitted in Designated Overnight rest areas only

• Trailer Brakes Required if Weight > 10,000 lbs • Trailer Breakaway Trailer Brakes Required if Weight > 10,000 lbs • Combined Maximum Length of Car-Trailer Combination must not exceed 66 feet in total • Trailer Chains Required • Flares Required; Possible exceptions. Refer to state laws

overview

General Information

Nickname: Bay State

State bird: Chickadee

State flower: Mayflower





Capital: Boston

Date of admission to the Union: 6 Feb 1788 (original 13 States; date of ratification of the Constitution)

Population: 6,427,801 (official estimate 2002)

Population density: 235/sq km

2000 total overseas arrivals/US ranking: 1,429,000/6

Time: Eastern (GMT - 5). Daylight Saving Time is observed.

The State: The gateway to New England, Massachusetts was the destination of the Mayflower in 1620 and is one of the original 13 States. It is very diverse, offering everything from cobblestoned streets and village greens to space-age technology centres. The Berkshire Hills cut across its western corner. To the east the land rolls down to the sea, embracing the state capital, Boston, and the beaches of Cape Cod.