Delaware, the first state, is rich in natural splendor, historical significance, cultural diversity and industrial strength.
Located on the eastern seaboard of the United States, Delaware is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay, as well as the states of Pennsylvania and Maryland. With a land area of 1982 square miles, Delaware ranks 49th in area among the 50 states.
Delaware's geographic location has placed Delaware at the crossroads of the Mid-Atlantic, positioning travelers at a convenient distance from nearly every major metropolitan center in the region. Exactly halfway between New York City and Washington, D.C. and a stones throw from Philadelphia PA, lies Wilmington, Delaware, a city seldom in the news but nevertheless endowed with some of the most picturesque scenery in the Mid-Atlantic.
Wilmington's Fall foliage is among the most stunning in the country, and it's a mere two-hour drive to the renowned beaches of Delaware along the Atlantic. Perhaps one reason why this city of 750,000 residents is so underrated is its proximity to louder, more boisterous cities that grab headlines on a regular basis.
Its geographic location has placed Wilmington at the crossroads of the Mid-Atlantic, positioning travelers at a convenient distance from nearly every major metropolitan center in the region. Wilmington is conveniently situated about 100 miles from New York City and 100 miles from Washington, D.C. Baltimore is approximately 90 minutes away, and Philadelphia is a half-hour drive away. And the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, Lancaster, is about an hour's drive from Wilmington.
An increasing number of Americans apparently have taken note of Wilmington's scenery. Tourism has grown to represent one of the major contributors to Wilmington's regional economy. Agriculture, banking, imports/exports, chemicals and transportation also make substantial contributions to the economy. Banking took off in Wilmington during the 1970's, when a series of credit-card banks relocated here. Wilmington is known for being a business-friendly city, and the absence of a sales tax makes the city a very attractive prospect for prospective residents and businesses alike. The University of Delaware, located in Wilmington, provides a steady stream of highly skilled graduates to all of the corporations based here.
Wilmington is a haven for nature-lovers. In contrast to the harsher weather patterns characteristic of many areas situated within the Mid-Atlantic, Wilmington's weather is fairly friendly to its residents. Several state parks, sculptured gardens and wildlife refuges encourage residents and visitors to spend their time outdoors. Wilmington places a premium on the preservation of nature. Birding is a popular pastime here, as is photography. In addition to photographing natural scenery, amateur photographers won't want to miss one of Wilmington's manmade, but nevertheless unique, structures--the Ashland Covered Bridge, one of only three covered bridges in the state of Delaware.
Wilmington serves as the perfect antidote to its noisier metropolitan neighbor cities in the Mid-Atlantic. Marching to its own beat, slower but steady as ever, Wilmington offers all of the amenities of larger cities but without compromising its abundance of scenic beauty. Wilmington's geographic location may be what brings tourists here initially, but its landscape, economy and rich history are what keep them here.
Written with the help of Courtney Ronan
Looking for that picturesque suburban lifestyle with the perfect home in the perfect neighborhood? Hockessin may be exactly what you are looking for. This wonderful town offers all the conveniences of large town living, but with a small town feel. Over the past couple of years this charming little town has acquired a new face. With new upscale communities popping up, new retail businesses that includes boutiques, gourmet restaurants and even a quant little local seasonal produce stand. New additions to the Hockessin Community include the completion of the new 3.4 million dollar library which was completed in 1994 and the brand new Police Athletic League Facility (PAL). This facility offers extensive recreation and educational opportunities for both youth and seniors. All this and Hockessin boasts the convenience of being only minutes from downtown Wilmington, 15 minutes from Newark and 20 minutes from Interstate 95.
The major inroad to Hockessin, Delaware is Route 41 or known as Lancaster Pike. Downtown Hockessin is considered to be at the intersection of Lancaster Pike and Yorklyn Road. Homes in Hockessin are nestled on quant lots averaging from � acre to 2 acres. On average homes in Hockessin sold for $410,000 and had 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths in 2004. The area of Hockessin can be found in the zip codes of 19707 and 19711.
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