One of the original 13 colonies, New Hampshire is a state steeped in history, featuring incredible natural beauty and a spirited and traditional populace. Its motto Live Free or Die -- comes from a statement written by the Revolutionary General John Stark, hero of the Battle of Bennington. New Hampshire is made up of seven geographical regions: Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee, Great North Woods, Lakes, Merrimack Valley, Monadnock, Seacoast and White Mountains. The state's 1.2 million residents live within New Hampshire's 10 counties, 13 municipalities, 221 towns and 22 unincorporated places. Each of the state's regions offers its residents a variety of housing and lifestyle choices. From historic communities featuring cottages and cabins to modern cities with tract housing and contemporary homes, and from lakefront and beachfront condominiums to turn-of-the-century farms and ranches, New Hampshire truly offers something for everyone. The State of New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. The state ranks 44th in land area and 46th in total area of the 50 states and 41st in population. It was one of the Thirteen Colonies and became the ninth state admitted to the Union. New Hampshire was also the first U.S. state to have its own state constitution. It is internationally famous for the New Hampshire primary, the first primary in the quadrennial American presidential election cycle. The primary draws more attention by far than all other primaries and has often been decisive in shaping the national contest. Its license plates carry the famous state motto: "Live free or die." The state nickname is "The Granite State", in reference both to its geology and to its tradition of self-sufficiency. Several other official nicknames exist but are rarely if ever used. Antebellum New Hampshire produced numerous people who went on to become famous national leaders including Senator Daniel Webster, editor Horace Greeley, and Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of the Christian Science religion. New Hampshire also produced one president, Franklin Pierce. New Hampshire's recreational attractions include skiing and other winter sports; observing the spectacular fall foliage; summer cottages along many lakes; motor sports at the New Hampshire International Speedway, home of NASCAR events and the Loudon Classic; and Bike Week, a popular motorcycle rally associated with the Loudon Classic, held in Laconia in June.