The origin of the name “Green Mountains” (French: Les verts monts ) is largely unknown. Some say the name comes from the fact that the mountains are more heavily forested than the higher “White Mountains” of New Hampshire and the “Adirondacks” of New York. Others say the greenish slate found there is the reason. The state is part of the New England region in the north-east of the United States of America and is the only New England state without a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. The area that is now Vermont was inhabited by the Iroquois and Abenaki before it was claimed by the French. After the French were defeated in the “French and Indian War”, the country came into British possession. For years, the surrounding colonies fought over control of the territory. During the “Revolutionary War”, the American War of Independence, the independent state, the “Vermont Republic”, was founded, which lasted 14 years and was one of the three US states, along with Texas and Hawaii, that existed as a sovereign nation. Vermont became the fourteenth state to join the United States in 1791, following the “Thirteen Colonies”. Areas of great scenic beauty and dairy products have both made the state famous. Vermont is the leading producer of maple syrup in the United States. Maple Syrup is a must in American homes and restaurants. It is mainly served with waffles, pancakes and French toast. Before the European settlers came to the country, Mohicans and Abenaki lived there. During the 1500s and 1600s, the Iroquois drove several of the smaller tribes out of Vermont to take advantage of the hunting grounds there. It is believed that Jacques Cartier was the first European to arrive in Vermont in 1535. Much later, on July 30, 1609, explorer Samuel de Champlain claimed the area for France and founded the first European fort in Vermont. The first British settlement was established in 1724. For their protection, Fort Dummer was built in southeastern Vermont, near what is now Brattleboro. After France’s defeat in the French and Indian War, the country fell to the British in the 1763 Treaty of Paris. Vermont gained independence on January 18, 1777. For the first six months, the state was called “New Connecticut”. On June 2, 1777, a convention of 72 delegates voted to name the state “Vermont. ” The constitution was drafted on July 4th and entered into force on July 8th. In the Revolutionary War, the battles of Bennington and Saratoga represented turning points in the war, as they were the first serious British defeats. Vermont participated in the American Civil War with a very large number of armed forces. Check topschoolsoflaw.com for brief history of the state of Vermont.