5 Facts About Vermont's Capital: How Well Do You Know Montpelier?

Vermont is home to the manufacturing giant IBM, located in Essex and is famous for their agriculture and mining capabilities, among other industries. The city of Montpelier is the state capitol and was established in 1850. It's also the smallest capitol in the U.S., but how well do you know the area?

Here are some fascinating, if not surprising, facts about Montpelier.

1. Montpelier includes government state workers, over 2,300 people work in the city, which is impressive for its small size. Because of this fact, the retail and service industry in Montpelier has increased. The popular ice cream company, Ben & Jerry's is also located in Montpelier, also contributes to the thriving economy.

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2. The city is smaller than many of the cities in Vermont, with only about 8,000 people living there. Burlington, which has more than 42,000 residents, is the largest city. Females overtake males in the city, as well with 54 percent, compared to just 45 percent for males.

3. Shockingly, Montpelier is the only state capital without a McDonald's, so for those who need that Big Mac, they would have to drive almost five miles away.

4. Barre and Montpelier area also known as the Twin Cities, since they form a small micropolitan, urban areas based around an urban cluster of between 10,000 and 49,000 residents in the U.S. These two cities sit smack dab in the center of the state and boast businesses that drive people to the area, boosting the local economy.

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5. The New England Culinary Institute also calls Montpelier home, along with Green Mountain Film Festival and the National Life Group. It's also a fact that that the majority of business in Montpelier are locally owned. Vermont College of Fine Arts, a low-residency graduate school, offers students Master of Fine Arts degrees in visual arts, writing for children and young adults, and creative writing.

There are many more interesting and fun facts about Montpelier that may make winter enthusiasts want to take a trip to this beautiful state.

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