The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the state's official name. It is often referred to as "The Bay State." Other times, as the "Old Colony state," the "Puritan state" and "the Baked Bean state." The Legislature ultimately came to the decision that residents of the Commonwealth would be called Bay Staters.

Massachusetts has 302 towns and 49 cities. Boston is the state capital. The state plays an important role in the production of U.S. currency; Crane & Co. in Dalton produces the paper for Federal Reserve notes.

Massachusetts' economy is advanced by health services, education, financial institutions and tourism. The Ocean Spray cooperative has given Massachusetts the distinction of being the second largest cranberry producing state in the union.

The state also has a significant theater and dance scene. Some popular venues include the Cutler Majestic Theater, Wang Center for Performing Arts and the world-renowned Boston Ballet. A number of musical talents reside in Massachusetts such as the celebrated Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, and Boston Lyric Opera Company.

Massachusetts is heavy on quality education with five of the top 50 national universities located within the state: Boston College, Brandeis University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Tufts University. Massachusetts is also noted for having one of the best public school systems in the U.S. – with some of the highest scores on advanced placement tests, and the lowest high-school dropout rates in the country, Massachusetts is now tied with New Jersey for having the second highest percentage of students who enroll in college after high school.

• MBTA - Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority