Connecticut, the Nutmeg State, is located in southwestern New England. Since becoming the fifth state to ratify the Constitution in 1788, it has changed from forest and farmland to a mostly urban and suburban state, with an economy based on manufacturing and services.Connecticut is known for its affluence and is home to many private preparatory schools. The state hosts several prominent educational and military institutions, including Yale University, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and the U.S. Navy shipbuilding complex at Groton. The largest city is Bridgeport and the largest metropolitan area is centered around the capital of Hartford.