Massachusetts is a state of New England and the sixth of the original thirteen colonies. Boston is its capital and largest city. Massachusetts is also the sixth smallest state of the Union, with a total area of 21.386 sq km and, according to the 2000 census, 6.349.097 inhabitants.

Massachusetts was, more than any other state, the pioneer of the Industrial Revolution in the United States. Nevertheless, it continues to be a state of industries concerned about its human resources specialization.

The services are also of major importance to Massachusetts with 42% of its population working in government, banking, wholesale and retail trade, etc.

The state has long been a leader in education. Harvard University, Boston University and Brandeis University are three examples of that. Along with this high standard educational system, there is the beauty of the state’s 13 natural parks. Another important aspect is the invention of basketball, in 1891 – Springfield – and volleyball, in 1895 – Holyoke.

According to the national census, in 1999 the Portuguese population in Massachusetts was 289.424 individuals. The Portuguese contribution to the state’s politics is a fact: the deputies Tony Cabral, Robert Correia, Michael Rodrigues and Mark Howland are Portuguese descendants, as well as the senator Marc Pacheco. 

Portuguese presence is of great significance in the following cities and villages: Amherst, Arlington, Attleboro, Auburn, Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Concord, Dartmouth, Fall River, Falmouth, Hudson, Lawrence, Lowell, Ludlow, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Oxford, Peabody, Provincetown, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Somerville, Springfield, Stoughton, Swansea, Taunton, Westport and Woburn.