Vermont, VT

Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America.

The state ranks 45th by total area, and 43rd by land area at 9,250 square miles, and has a population of 608,827, making it the second least populous state (second only to Wyoming).

The only New England state with no coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, Vermont is notable for the Green Mountains in the west and Lake Champlain in the northwest.

It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, New York to the west, and the Canadian province of Quebec to the north.

Originally inhabited by Native American tribes (Abenaki, and Iroquois), the territory that is now Vermont was claimed by France but became a British possession after France's defeat in the French and Indian War.

For many years, control of the area was disputed by the surrounding colonies, notably between New Hampshire and New York.

Settlers who held land titles granted by these colonies were opposed by the Green Mountain Boys militia, which eventually prevailed in creating an independent state.

Vermont became the 14th state to join the United States, following a 14-year period during and after the Revolutionary War as the independent Republic of Vermont.

It is the leading producer of maple syrup in the United States.[2] The state capital is Montpelier, and the largest city is Burlington.

Geography

Vermont is located in the New England region in the eastern United States and comprises 9,614 square miles (24,902 kmē), making it the 45th largest state.

Of this, land comprises 9,250 square miles (23,955 kmē) and water comprises 365 square miles (948 kmē), making it the 43rd largest in land area and the 47th in water area. In area, it is larger than El Salvador and smaller than Haiti.

The west bank of the Connecticut River marks the eastern border of the state with New Hampshire (the river itself is part of New Hampshire).

Lake Champlain, the major lake in Vermont, is the sixth-largest body of fresh water in the United States and separates Vermont from New York in the northwest portion of the state. From north to south, Vermont is 159 miles (256 km).

Its greatest width, from east to west, is 89 miles (143 km) at the Canadian border; the narrowest width is 37 miles (60 km) at the Massachusetts line. The state's geographic center is Washington, three miles (5 km) east of Roxbury.

There are six distinct physiographic regions of Vermont. Categorized by geological and physical attributes, they are the Northeastern Highlands, the Green Mountains, the Taconic Mountains, the Champlain Lowlands, the Valley of Vermont and the Vermont Piedmont.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Vermont".

Buying a Digital SLR Camera - what to look for

by Canon New Zealand

For many photography enthusiasts, owning a digital SLR camera is an important first step. There are a number of different makes and models of SLR cameras out there - they come in a variety of speeds and megapixels and all have a range of camera accessories. Learn about how DSLR cameras work and what to look for before you make your purchase.

What is a DSLR camera?

SLR stands for single lens reflex since you are looking at the actual image through the single lens. The image passes through the camera lens to a mirror that then reflects the light upward to a pentaprism or pentamirror before being reflected again through the viewfinder, where you can see what's actually in the frame.

When the shutter button is pressed, the first mirror flips up so that the light passes through the shutter, thereby capturing the image.

SLR cameras allow for more accurate composition and colour balance since what you see through the viewfinder will be what you get in the final picture. Traditional SLR cameras used film but today's digital SLR cameras allow for digital capture so that you can review your images instantly.

How to choose a DSLR camera that's right for you.

There are plenty of variations between the different types, makes and models of DSLR cameras. Choosing the best DSLR camera for your needs depends on how you intend to use the machine - and the amount you're willing to spend. Here are some points to keep in mind:

Cost - Your budget will determine the type of SLR camera you purchase. Remember that in addition to buying the camera body, it'll be worthwhile to invest in a couple of camera lenses as well.

A good telephoto zoom lens, for example, is great for getting up close to your subject matter, while a wide angle lens increases the angle of your view so you can get more in the shot. You might also look into buying camera accessories, including filters, a camera bag or even an extra battery to make the most of your investment. 

Megapixels - most of today's DSLR cameras start at about 8 MP and can go up to 24 MP or more. Having more megapixels means you get better resolution, which is great for large prints or for enlarging smaller parts of your image. Keep in mind that having more megapixels isn't the only way to get quality pictures. For example, in low lighting, too high a megapixel count could mean your photos end up with a bit of "noise" as your camera sensor might not capture the correct colour tone for every pixel, creating a bit of speckling in the image.

Meanwhile, professionals may want a high megapixel count for large prints, such as billboards, or if they are significantly enlarging a small area of the final image. When deciding on how many megapixels you'll need, think about what you'll be using the photos for and whether you're looking for images to publish online, make personal prints or sell in a professional publication.

Speed - DSLR cameras are much quicker than the typical digital camera. You'll notice reduced shutter lag (the delay between pushing the button and actually capturing the image) with your DSLR. If you'll be shooting lots of action shots then you'll likely want a faster model.

Choosing the right digital SLR camera means doing your homework and finding out more information about the different options that are available, so you can be sure you'll get the results you want. Ask friends and families or look for an online forum and gain some valuable insights and tips from the experts.

Canon New Zealand is a leading provider of advanced, simple-to-use imaging solutions for businesses and consumers. Canon's Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops customised solutions for local customers, and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide.

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This article is brought to you by Canon New Zealand - Buying a Digital SLR Camera - what to look for. For more great ideas on capturing that perfect moment with great digital cameras , visit the Canon website.