Delaware is one of the fifty United States, a small state on the Atlantic coast between Maryland and New Jersey. Though it's the second smallest state by area (only Rhode Island is smaller), Delaware holds an outsized place in American history and business.

Delaware was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787, which is why it's nicknamed the First State. This happened just months after the Constitution was written in nearby Philadelphia. By approving the Constitution first, Delaware showed strong support for creating a unified nation.

Today, Delaware is famous for something unusual: more than half of all American publicly traded corporations are legally incorporated there, including most Fortune 500 companies. This means that even though a company's offices might be in California or Texas, it's officially registered as a Delaware business. Companies choose Delaware because of its well-established business laws and specialized court system for corporate disputes.

The state capital is Dover, though its largest city is Wilmington. Delaware has no sales tax, making it a popular shopping destination for people from neighboring states. Delaware's Atlantic beaches, especially Rehoboth Beach, attract summer visitors from up and down the East Coast.