The only U.S. state smaller than Delaware is Rhode Island. It was the first of the 13 colonies to sign the U.S. Constitution which gave the state its nickname of "The First State."

Despite its small size, Delaware ranks at number six in U.S. population density. It has three counties; New Castle, Kent and Sussex. Kent and Sussex are rural counties. New Castle county is urban and home of the E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, one of the largest chemical companies in the world.

Another major source of revenue for the state is franchise taxes, which account for 20 percent of the state's revenues. The franchise tax is collected from the companies that take advantage of the state's pro-business incorporation laws. 60 percent of the Fortune 500 companies incorporate here. The Tax Justice Network lists Delaware as the world's number one tax haven.

Thanks to Du Pont's presence and the chemical and pharmaceutical companies it attracts, Delaware ranks second in civilian scientists, engineers and patents issued per 1,000 workers. This helped contribute to the low unemployment rate of 8.5 percent effective January 2011 and $34,199.00 per capita income, ninth in the nation.