US States Map > Connecticut Map > Connecticut Geography

Connecticut Geography

by Vishal Kumar

Learn about the important Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, and other geographical features of Connecticut


Geographical Facts About Connecticut

 

Area 5,544 square miles
Land Area 4,845 square miles
Water Area 698 square miles
Highest point Bear Mountain, 2380 feet above sea level
Lowest point Border between the state and Long Island Sound, Sea level
Highest temperature 106 degrees Fahrenheit
Lowest temperature -32 degrees Fahrenheit
Geographic Center Located in Hartford County, in East Berlin

 

General Features

Connecticut is located in the northeastern region of United States. It shares its borders with Long Island Sound to the south, New York State to the west, Massachusetts to the north, and Rhode Island to the east.
The state of Connecticut can be geographically divided into five distinct land regions:

  • Taconic Section :

    It is found in the northwestern corner of the state. The highest point in the state is found in this section.Western New England Upland: It is located in the western region of the state. The topography is characterized by steep hills, ridges and rivers. It slopes gradually downwards the southern region.

  • Connecticut Valley Lowland :

    The Connecticut Valley Lowland is located in the center of the state and averages around 30miles wide. This region has small rivers with basalt ridges.

  • Eastern New England Upland :

    This region is characterized by narrow river valleys and low hills. The section that stretches from Connecticut to Maine is heavily forested.

  • Coastal Lowlands :

    This area forms a narrow strip of land, approximately 6 to 16 miles wide. It runs along the southern shore of the state and are characterized by lower ridges and beaches.

Climate of Connecticut

The shoreline of Connecticut has a borderline humid subtropical climate, while the interior parts have humid continental climate. It is a moderately humid state with hot and humid summers. Winters are generally cold and average yearly snowfall ranges from 20 to 60 inches.

Thunderstorms are frequent in this region and the state usually averages a tornado every year.

  • Lakes

    Candlewood Lake is the largest lake located in Fairfield, Connecticut. It is also the largest man-made lake in the country. It has a surface area of 8.4 square miles. Bantam Lake is the largest natural lake in the state. Other notable lakes in the region are Lake Saltonstall, Lake Zoar, Lake Beseck, and Squantz Pond.

  • Rivers

    Connecticut River is the longest river in New England. It starts from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire and flows through Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Yantic River, Niantic River, Scantic River, and Farmington River are other notable rivers in the state.

  • Mountains

    Bear Mountain is the highest mountain summit in Connecticut. Other mountain ranges in the state are Red Mountain, Bald Peak, Round Mountain. Dennis Hill, Brown Mountain, and Stone Man Mountain.

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