New Castle County, Delaware is located in the northeastern corner of the state and is bordered by Pennsylvania to the north and Maryland to the south. The county covers an area of 554 square miles and is home to over 500,000 people. It is the largest county in Delaware and one of the most populous counties in the country.
The geography of New Castle County consists primarily of rolling hills, open fields, and forests. The highest point in the county is Iron Hill which rises to a height of 289 feet above sea level. The county has two major rivers which are the Christina River and Brandywine Creek. There are also several smaller streams, ponds, and lakes scattered throughout the region.
The climate in New Castle County ranges from hot summers with temperatures reaching up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) to cold winters with temperatures reaching down as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 degrees Celsius). Rainfall averages around 46 inches per year with snowfall averaging around 15 inches per year.
New Castle County has a wide variety of wildlife including deer, foxes, raccoons, rabbits, woodchucks, skunks, opossums, beavers and numerous species of birds. In addition to its natural beauty there are many parks within New Castle County such as White Clay Creek State Park which offers miles of hiking trails along with fishing opportunities at its three lakes; Bellevue State Park which features picnic areas; and Coverdale Farm Preserve which provides access to a variety of habitat types including wetlands and woodlands for bird watching or nature study.
New Castle County has much to offer visitors including historical sites such as Fort Delaware State Park; cultural attractions such as Longwood Gardens; outdoor activities such as kayaking on Brandywine Creek or biking along White Clay Creek; or shopping at nearby Christiana Mall or Concord Mall. With its diverse geography and abundance of recreational activities New Castle County provides something for everyone regardless of age or interests.
Country seat and other main cities of New Castle County, Delaware
The county seat of New Castle County, Delaware is Wilmington, the most populous city in the state. Located on the banks of the Christina River, this city is home to over 70,000 people and is a major business and cultural center. Wilmington was founded in 1638 and is home to several historical landmarks such as Old Swedes Church, Fort Christina State Park, and Winterthur Museum. The city also has a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues as well as numerous parks along the riverfront.
New Castle County also contains several other cities including Newark which is located in the northern part of the county. This city has a population of over 33,000 people and offers a variety of attractions including White Clay Creek State Park which includes hiking trails, fishing opportunities at its three lakes, picnic areas; and Coverdale Farm Preserve which provides access to wetlands and woodlands for bird watching or nature study.
Another main city in New Castle County is Middletown which has a population of over 20,000 people. This city offers visitors numerous attractions such as Silver Lake Park with its lakefront beach area; Old Court House Museum; Everett Theatre; Appoquinimink Library; various shopping centers; and many restaurants.
According to Countryaah, there are also several smaller towns in New Castle County including Claymont which has a population of around 6500 people. This town offers visitors historic sites such as Claymont Court House dating back to 1739; Naamans Creek Country Club for golfing enthusiasts; Brandywine Springs amusement park with its roller coasters and water rides; Nemours Mansion & Gardens for those interested in history or architecture; plus many more activities for all ages.
Overall New Castle County offers visitors an array of attractions from outdoor activities like kayaking on Brandywine Creek or biking along White Clay Creek to cultural attractions like Longwood Gardens or shopping at Christiana Mall or Concord Mall to historical sites like Fort Delaware State Park or Old Swedes Church – there’s something for every visitor regardless of age or interests!
History of New Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County, Delaware has a long and interesting history that dates back to 1638 when the area was first settled by Swedish, Finnish, Dutch and English colonists. The county was named after the city of New Castle which was founded in 1651 and became the first capital of Delaware.
During the American Revolution, New Castle County was an important center of activity as it served as a strategic military base for General George Washington’s Continental Army. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed at nearby Old Swedes Church. Following the war, the county continued to grow with more settlers coming from Pennsylvania and other states to farm its fertile lands.
The 19th century saw heavy industrialization take place in New Castle County with several factories being built along its rivers including paper mills and ironworks. The county also became an important transportation hub for both railroads and canals as well as a major port for ships traveling up and down Delaware Bay.
In 1847, Christiana Hundred became part of New Castle County which would later become known as Christiana Borough in 1869. This area has always been an important part of county history as it is home to two historic sites – Old Court House Museum and Fort Christina State Park which commemorate early colonial life in Delaware.
The 20th century saw further growth in New Castle County with Wilmington becoming an important business center due to its close proximity to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C.. The city also experienced a cultural revival with numerous museums being established such as Winterthur Museum and Hagley Museum & Library plus several performing arts venues like Grand Opera House and Playhouse on Rodney Square were built.
Today, New Castle County continues to be a vibrant community with numerous attractions including White Clay Creek State Park; Coverdale Farm Preserve; Silver Lake Park; Everett Theatre; Appoquinimink Library; various shopping centers; restaurants; plus much more! With its rich history and diverse attractions, New Castle County is sure to have something for everyone!
Economy of New Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County, Delaware has a thriving economy that is largely driven by its strategic location between Philadelphia and Baltimore. The county is home to several large companies in the financial services, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and manufacturing industries. With many of these businesses located in Wilmington, the county’s largest city, New Castle County has become a major economic hub in the region.
The financial services industry is one of the most prominent sectors in New Castle County. Wilmington is home to several large banking and financial institutions such as Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase & Co., M&T Bank, PNC Financial Services Group Inc., Barclays US LLC, and Wells Fargo & Co. These firms have invested heavily in the area’s economy and are responsible for creating thousands of jobs. In addition to these banking giants, several smaller financial service providers are based in New Castle County such as Capital One Financial Corporation, TD Bank USA LLC., Santander Bank NA., and WSFS Financial Corporation.
The pharmaceuticals industry also plays an important role in New Castle County’s economy with companies like AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, GlaxoSmithKline PLC., Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development LLC., Merck & Co. Inc., Novo Nordisk Inc., Pfizer Incorporated and Sanofi-Aventis US Inc all having operations here. These firms employ thousands of people throughout the county who are involved in research and development as well as manufacturing activities related to medicines and healthcare products.
The chemical industry is another key contributor to the local economy with companies like DuPont de Nemours Inc., Ashland Global Specialty Chemicals Inc., WL Gore & Associates Inc., Air Products & Chemicals Incorporated all having operations here. These firms specialize in producing a wide range of products such as industrial coatings, automotive components and adhesives which are used by various companies around the world.
The manufacturing sector is also an important part of New Castle County’s economic landscape with companies like Hercules Industries LLC., Siemens Industry Automation LLC., Tyson Foods Incorporated , International Paper Company all being based here. These firms produce a variety of goods ranging from construction equipment to food products that are exported around the world from their facilities located throughout the county.
Overall, New Castle County has a strong economy that is driven by its strategic location between Philadelphia and Baltimore which makes it an ideal base for businesses looking to expand into new markets or take advantage of existing ones while still remaining close enough to major cities for easy access to resources or personnel when needed. With its robust business environment coupled with its diverse population providing a ready source of skilled labor plus numerous attractions for visitors or residents alike; New Castle County is sure to remain a vibrant economic force for years to come!