Greater Hartford

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Map of Connecticut highlighting the regions of the Greater Hartford area. Yellow is the Capitol Region, green is the Central Connecticut region, and blue is the Midstate Region.

Greater Hartford is a region located in the state of Connecticut, centered around the state's capital of Hartford.

Hartford's role as a focal point for the American insurance industry is known nationally. The vibrant music and arts scene defines the region's culture. Greater Hartford is also home to the Travelers Championship golf tournament (formerly known as the Greater Hartford Open/Buick Championship).

This area of Connecticut is different from other parts of the state in that it is not dependent on out-of-state metropolitan areas such as New York City or Boston. It is on the fairly level land of the Connecticut River valley with soil less rocky than that of other areas in the state.

The area has major contrasts from the affluent suburbs like Avon and Farmington and the depressed inner-city of Hartford. While Hartford is one of the poorest cities of the country, its suburbs are some of the richest.

The region's economy is closely tied with Springfield, Massachusetts, as Hartford and Springfield are twin cities, only 25 miles apart. The area is served by Bradley International Airport, shared with Springfield.

The population of Greater Hartford (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau), exceeded 1 million in 2000, having a total population of 1,059,878 (2000 census). However, this is the slowest-growing part of Connecticut, having barely grown two percent in the 1990s.^{[citation needed]} This is changing in recent years, as more minorities and New York & Massachusetts residents relocate for the relatively lower cost of living. The 12% growth in the first half of the 2000s illustrates this trend (2005 population estimate of 1,188,241).^[1]

1 Definitions
2 Transportation
3 References

[edit] Definitions

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[edit] Capitol Region

[edit] New England City and Town Area

[edit] Metropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Census Bureau also defines the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) based on counties as building blocks. The area contains the 57 towns of Hartford County, Tolland County, and Middlesex County. The 2005 population estimate for the MSA is 1,188,241 and is ranked as the 44th largest metropolitan area by population in the United States. While the MSA definition is consistent with national definitions of metropolitan areas, the area contains a significant portion of the Lower Connecticut River Valley, which is not commonly considered as part of Greater Hartford.^{[citation needed]}

A region very similar to the MSA is covered by the combination of the Hartford Service Delivery Area and the Mid-Connecticut Service Delivery Area, covering 56 towns.^[2]

[edit] Transportation

This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

[edit] References

^ Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005 U.S. Census Bureau.
^ CT Dept. of Economic and Community Development Service Delivery Areas

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