Map of Massachusetts

The state of Massachusetts is located in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Connecticut and Rhode Island to its south, New Hampshire and Vermont to its north, New York to its west, and the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine to its east.

About the map:

This map of Massachusetts State shows the state borders, states, state capital, islands, county borders, counties, county seats, and important cities.

County seats are indicated by a red circle, white circles indicate cities, and the capital of Massachusetts is indicated by a star in the red circle. The larger the city in terms of population, the larger the circle on the map and the larger the font of the city name.

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Massachusetts Official State Map - PDF

Key Facts:

The Great Seal of the State of Massachusetts	Flag of Massachusetts
Capital:	Boston
Largest city:	Boston
Largest metropolitan area:	Greater Boston
Largest county by population:	Middlesex County
Largest county by area:	Worcester County
Area:	10,565 sq mi (27,363 km2)
Population (2024):	7,136,171[1]
Density:	914.9/sq mi (353.24/km2)
Dimensions:	Length 184 mi (296 km) Width 114 mi (184 km)
Latitude:	41°14′ N to 42°53′ N
Longitude:	69°56′ W to 73°30′ W
Elevation:	Highest elevation (Mount Greylock[) - 3,489 ft (1,063.4 m) Lowest elevation (Atlantic Ocean) - 0 ft (0 m)
Official language:	English
Religion (2024):[2]	21% - Protestantism 29% - Catholicism 2% - Orthodox Christian 2% - Muslim 2% - Hindu 1% - Mormonism 1% - Jehovah's Witness 1% - Buddhism 37% - Unaffiliated 4% - other religions
Racial/ethnic groups (2024):[1]	67.6% White 12.6% Hispanic or Latino 7.2% Asian 6.5% Black or African American 0.1% Native American or Alaska Native 0.02% Pacific Islander 1.3% Other
Median household income (2023):	$99,900[1]
USPS abbreviation:	MA
ISO 3166 code:	US-MA
Time zone:	UTC−05:00 (Eastern) Summer (DST) UTC−04:00 (EDT)
The Official Website of the State of Massachusetts:	www.mass.gov

About the State of Massachusetts

Massachusetts occupies the northeastern United States as part of the New England region. The state shares borders with Vermont and New Hampshire to the north, New York to the west, Connecticut and Rhode Island to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Massachusetts covers approximately 10,565 square miles (27,363 square kilometers), making it the seventh-smallest state by area. The 2020 census recorded a population of approximately 7 million residents, ranking Massachusetts as the fifteenth most populous state.

Where is the state of Massachusetts in the United States of America?

Boston serves as both the state capital and largest city, with a metropolitan population exceeding 4.9 million. Other significant urban centers include Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge, and Lowell. These cities form important economic and educational hubs throughout the commonwealth.

The state maintains one of the nation's strongest economies, driven primarily by biotechnology, finance, higher education, information technology, and maritime trade. Massachusetts hosts numerous Fortune 500 companies and consistently ranks among the top states for innovation and entrepreneurship. The Greater Boston area functions as a global center for venture capital and startup activity. Manufacturing, particularly in electronics and precision instruments, contributes substantially to the economic base.

Higher education plays a crucial role in the state's identity and economy. Massachusetts houses over 100 colleges and universities, including Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, and Tufts University. These institutions attract students worldwide and drive research and development initiatives.

Tourism generates significant revenue for Massachusetts. The state attracts millions of visitors annually to landmarks such as Freedom Trail in Boston, which connects 16 historically significant sites. Cape Cod draws summer tourists to its beaches and coastal communities. Plymouth Rock marks the legendary landing site of the Pilgrims in 1620. The Berkshires region offers mountain scenery and outdoor recreation. Salem preserves colonial history and witch trial heritage. Visitors explore Faneuil Hall, Boston Common, and the Massachusetts State House. Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket provide island retreats off the southern coast.

Massachusetts played a pivotal role in American history, hosting key Revolutionary War events and serving as an early center of abolitionism and industrialization. The state continues to influence national politics, education, and technological advancement.

Brief History

Native American tribes, including the Wampanoag, Massachusett, and Nipmuc peoples, inhabited the region for thousands of years before European contact. These groups developed complex societies based on agriculture, fishing, and hunting.

English Pilgrims established Plymouth Colony in 1620, seeking religious freedom. The Puritans followed in 1630, founding the Massachusetts Bay Colony under John Winthrop's leadership. These settlers created a theocratic government and built communities centered on Congregationalist principles. The colonies experienced significant tension with Native Americans, culminating in King Philip's War (1675-1678), which devastated both populations.

Massachusetts became a commercial hub during the eighteenth century. Boston emerged as a major port city, and merchants accumulated substantial wealth through trade, including participation in the Atlantic slave trade.

The colony led resistance against British taxation policies in the 1760s and 1770s. Patriots organized the Boston Tea Party in 1773, and the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 ignited the American Revolution. Massachusetts ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1788.

The Industrial Revolution transformed Massachusetts in the nineteenth century. Entrepreneurs established textile mills in Lowell and other cities, drawing immigrant labor from Ireland, French Canada, and later Southern and Eastern Europe. The state abolished slavery in 1783 and became a center for abolitionist activity.

Massachusetts shifted toward a service economy in the twentieth century as manufacturing declined. The state developed world-class educational and medical institutions. Today it maintains significance in technology, finance, and healthcare sectors while preserving its historical legacy.

Major cities in Massachusetts

• Boston
• Worcester
• Springfield
• Cambridge
• Lowell

• Brockton
• Lynn
• Quincy
• New Bedford
• Fall River

• Lawrence
• Newton
• Somerville
• Framingham
• Haverhill

• Malden
• Waltham
• Brookline
• Plymouth
• Taunton

Counties in Massachusetts

There are 14 counties in the U.S. state of Massachusetts.

List of counties in Massachusetts

Massachusetts County Map

Geography of Massachusetts

Massachusetts occupies 10,565 square miles in the northeastern United States, making it the seventh-smallest state by area. The state extends approximately 190 miles east to west and 110 miles north to south. The Atlantic Ocean bounds Massachusetts to the east, while Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire form its remaining borders.

Six distinct physiographic regions define the state's terrain. The Coastal Lowlands stretch along the eastern shore, featuring sandy beaches, salt marshes, and the glacially-formed Cape Cod peninsula. The Eastern New England Upland occupies the central region with rolling hills reaching 1,000 feet in elevation. The Connecticut River Valley bisects Massachusetts from north to south, creating the state's most fertile agricultural zone. The Western New England Upland and Berkshire Valley follow westward, while the Taconic Mountains and Berkshire Hills dominate the far western edge, where Mount Greylock rises to 3,491 feet as the state's highest point.

Major rivers include the Connecticut, Charles, Merrimack, and Housatonic. Numerous glacial lakes and reservoirs dot the landscape, with the Quabbin Reservoir serving as the largest inland body of water.

Massachusetts experiences a humid continental climate with significant regional variations. Coastal areas receive maritime influence, producing cooler summers and milder winters than inland regions. Average January temperatures range from 26°F inland to 29°F along the coast, while July averages reach 71°F coastally and 73°F inland. Annual precipitation totals between 42 and 47 inches statewide, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Nor'easters bring substantial winter snowfall, particularly to central and western regions, which receive 60 to 100 inches annually compared to 40 inches near Boston.

The state's vegetation transitions from coastal grasslands and salt-tolerant species eastward to mixed deciduous and coniferous forests inland, with northern hardwoods dominating the Berkshires.

Below you will find a list of the largest lakes and the longest rivers in Massachusetts.

Major Rivers in Massachusetts

Major Lakes in Massachusetts

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References

1. ^ QuickFacts Massachusetts. U.S. Census Bureau.
2. ^ People in Massachusetts. Pew research center.