New Hampshire is a state located in the northeastern and New England region of the United States. It is the 5th smallest state at 9,349 square miles and the 10th least populated with just over 1.3 million residents. It is part of the original 13 states that founded the U.S. and was the 9th to ratify the constitution in 1788. The New Hampshire primary is the first primary in the U.S. presidential election cycle. Also, the state is nicknamed "The Granite State" because of the extensive granite formations and quarries throughout NH.