Again, Connecticut was a major supplier of weapons and other goods for the World War II effort, and these industries, in part, helped lift the state from the Great Depression of the 1930s.
The end of the Cold War posed some challenges for the Connecticut economy as the demand for munitions fell sharply. One new source of revenue was the advent of the Indian casino with the completion of the Foxwoods Casino in 1992, which was the largest casino in the Western Hemisphere!
Today Connecticut is a financial and insurance hub with those industries generating over 16% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the state. Connecticut also benefits from its proximity to the large economic engine of New York City. Many of the wealthiest residents of western Connecticut have employment and/or financial ties to New York City.
Manufacturing is the third biggest industry at almost 12% . Industry continues to be dominated by companies with connections to defense, including major firearms manufacturers.
Tourism and the arts generated over $14 billion in economic activity with the Foxwoods Resort Casino and the Mohegan Sun casino being among the top employers in the state.
Agriculture is a smaller contributor to the state economy, employing about 12,000 people, with the strongest sector being nursery stock production.
Transportation:
There are four Interstate highways in Connecticut: Interstate 95, Interstate 84, Interstate 91, and Interstate 395. In addition to major roadways, rail links are also popular means of reaching jobs in New York City as southwestern Connecticut is served by the Metro-North Railroad. Amtrak also provides rail services to commuters and other travelers to New York City, Washington DC and beyond. Cities and towns between New Haven and New London are served by the Shore Line East commuter rail as well. There are other proposed commuter rail services under discussion.
Bradley International Airport serves the Hartford region,
while residents of central and southern Connecticut also make heavy use of JFK International Airport and Newark International Airports, especially for international travel.
Ferries connect Connecticut with Long Island in New York as well as to Rhode Island. There are also two ferries crossing the Connecticut River for intrastate travel.
The Flag:
The flag of the state of Connecticut is a white baroque shield with three grapevines, each bearing three bunches of purple grapes on a field of azure blue. The banner below the shield reads “Qui Transtulit Sustinet”, Latin for “He who transplanted still sustains”, which is Connecticut’s state motto.
The design for the coat of arms, which is depicted on the flag, originates from the seal of the Saybrook Colony, designed in 1639. Originally there were 15 grapevines but the number was reduced to three in 1711 to represent the three original settlements that merged to become Connecticut Colony: Connecticut Colony in Hartford, Saybrook Colony, and New Haven Colony.