Most peaceful states

Most peaceful states

 The Institute for Economics and Peace recently issued the first ranking of peaceful states in the United States. Rankings were based on factors such as violent crime, incarceration population and the costs associated with violence. Check out the 10 most peaceful states in the nation.


Washington

 Known for its picturesque mountain views, Washington rounds out the 10 most peaceful states at No. 10. A leader on the West Coast, Washington ranked most peaceful in the Pacific division.

Iowa

 Once mistaken for heaven in an Oscar-nominated film, Iowa ranks as peaceful state No. 9. In the 18 years of conducting the study on peaceful states, Iowa has never fallen out of the top 10.

Rhode Island

 The small coastal state of Rhode Island saw a decrease in homicides from 4.28 per 100,000 people in 2000 to 2.94 in 2009. This helped land the state at No. 8 on the most-peaceful list.

Massachusetts

 Massachusetts  ranking seventh, showed significant decreases in both violent crime and homicide rates, and the incarceration rate has remained one of the lowest in the country. It’s home to a peace-promoting organization.

Utah

 Widely known as the Friendly State, Utah ranked most peaceful in the West region and the Mountain division and No. 6 overall.

North Dakota

 The Peace Garden State, named after the state’s treasured International Peace Garden, was ranked the most peaceful state for the first nine years of the study. Slight increases in violent crime moved North Dakota into the No. 5 spot.

Minnesota

 Ranked fourth peaceful, Minnesota has the third-lowest incarceration rate and fifth-lowest number of homicides. It recently launched a new system to notify violent-crime victims when offenders are released from prison.

New Hampshire

 Though the study indicated that peace was not linked to political affiliation, New Hampshire is famous for its role in the U.S. political process. The No. 2 most peaceful state has the lowest homicide rate in the country.

Maine

 Vacationland is the perfect nickname for the most peaceful state, which ranked first on three of the tested indicators of peace.

Vermont

Vermont attracts visitors and residents alike with its beautiful scenery and inviting ski slopes, not to mention this sweet industry. This peaceful state ranks third based on low homicide rates and a decreasing violent-crime rate.

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Most peaceful states

Most peaceful states

 The Institute for Economics and Peace recently issued the first ranking of peaceful states in the United States. Rankings were based on factors such as violent crime, incarceration population and the costs associated with violence. Check out the 10 most peaceful states in the nation.


Washington

 Known for its picturesque mountain views, Washington rounds out the 10 most peaceful states at No. 10. A leader on the West Coast, Washington ranked most peaceful in the Pacific division.

Iowa

 Once mistaken for heaven in an Oscar-nominated film, Iowa ranks as peaceful state No. 9. In the 18 years of conducting the study on peaceful states, Iowa has never fallen out of the top 10.

Rhode Island

 The small coastal state of Rhode Island saw a decrease in homicides from 4.28 per 100,000 people in 2000 to 2.94 in 2009. This helped land the state at No. 8 on the most-peaceful list.

Massachusetts

 Massachusetts  ranking seventh, showed significant decreases in both violent crime and homicide rates, and the incarceration rate has remained one of the lowest in the country. It’s home to a peace-promoting organization.

Utah

 Widely known as the Friendly State, Utah ranked most peaceful in the West region and the Mountain division and No. 6 overall.

North Dakota

 The Peace Garden State, named after the state’s treasured International Peace Garden, was ranked the most peaceful state for the first nine years of the study. Slight increases in violent crime moved North Dakota into the No. 5 spot.

Minnesota

 Ranked fourth peaceful, Minnesota has the third-lowest incarceration rate and fifth-lowest number of homicides. It recently launched a new system to notify violent-crime victims when offenders are released from prison.

New Hampshire

 Though the study indicated that peace was not linked to political affiliation, New Hampshire is famous for its role in the U.S. political process. The No. 2 most peaceful state has the lowest homicide rate in the country.

Maine

 Vacationland is the perfect nickname for the most peaceful state, which ranked first on three of the tested indicators of peace.

Vermont

Vermont attracts visitors and residents alike with its beautiful scenery and inviting ski slopes, not to mention this sweet industry. This peaceful state ranks third based on low homicide rates and a decreasing violent-crime rate.

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World's most bizarre natural wonders

 

Weird World Wonders

They say that truth is stranger than fiction — and you could argue just as strongly that Mother Nature comes up with much more bizarre stuff than we ever could. Here are just a few of Earth's weirder wonders.

Mono Lake, California

Pamukkale, Turkey

Devils Tower, Wyoming

The Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

White Desert, Egypt

Split Apple Rock, New Zealand

Racetrack Playa, California

Socotra, Yemen

The Chocolate Hills, Philippines

Great Blue Hole, Belize

Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah

Mud Volcanoes, Azerbaijan

Shilin, China

Baobab Trees, Madagascar

Cappadocia, Turkey

Moeraki Boulders, New Zealand

Hvitserkur, Iceland

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The Best States For Business and Careers

 

The Best States For Business and Careers

Utah tops our fifth annual ranking, knocking longtime leader Virginia from the top spot.When voters in 37 states select their governors next month, the overriding issue will be, of course, the economy.

No. 1 Utah

2009 Rank: 3
Business Costs Rank: 8
Labor Supply Rank: 5
Regulatory Environment: 6
Economic Climate: 1
Growth Prospects: 20
Quality of Life: 18

No. 2 Virginia

2009 Rank: 1
Business Costs Rank: 24
Labor Supply Rank: 3
Regulatory Environment: 2
Economic Climate: 4
Growth Prospects: 14
Quality of Life: 6

No. 3 North Carolina

2009 Rank: 5
Business Costs Rank: 3
Labor Supply Rank: 15
Regulatory Environment: 3
Economic Climate: 18
Growth Prospects: 9
Quality of Life: 32

No. 4 Colorado

2009 Rank: 4
Business Costs Rank: 33
Labor Supply Rank: 1
Regulatory Environment: 15
Economic Climate: 6
Growth Prospects: 6
Quality of Life: 9

No. 5 Washington

2009 Rank: 2
Business Costs Rank: 28
Labor Supply Rank: 2
Regulatory Environment: 5
Economic Climate: 11
Growth Prospects: 4
Quality of Life: 29

No. 6 Oregon

2009 Rank: 10
Business Costs Rank: 18
Labor Supply Rank: 4
Regulatory Environment: 34
Economic Climate: 14
Growth Prospects: 12
Quality of Life: 21

No. 7 Texas

2009 Rank: 8
Business Costs Rank: 26
Labor Supply Rank: 21
Regulatory Environment: 17
Economic Climate: 2
Growth Prospects: 1
Quality of Life: 38

No. 8 Georgia

2009 Rank: 6
Business Costs Rank: 31
Labor Supply Rank: 7
Regulatory Environment: 1
Economic Climate: 30
Growth Prospects: 7
Quality of Life: 35

No. 9 Nebraska

2009 Rank: 9
Business Costs Rank: 6
Labor Supply Rank: 23
Regulatory Environment: 28
Economic Climate: 12
Growth Prospects: 40
Quality of Life: 14

No. 10 Kansas

2009 Rank: 15
Business Costs Rank: 23
Labor Supply Rank: 18
Regulatory Environment: 11
Economic Climate: 13
Growth Prospects: 30
Quality of Life: 27

No. 11 North Dakota

2009 Rank: 7
Business Costs Rank: 4
Labor Supply Rank: 37
Regulatory Environment: 25
Economic Climate: 3
Growth Prospects: 33
Quality of Life: 23

No. 12 Idaho

2009 Rank: 11
Business Costs Rank: 17
Labor Supply Rank: 19
Regulatory Environment: 29
Economic Climate: 20
Growth Prospects: 19
Quality of Life: 20

No. 13 Iowa

2009 Rank: 14
Business Costs Rank: 7
Labor Supply Rank: 40
Regulatory Environment: 19
Economic Climate: 17
Growth Prospects: 39
Quality of Life: 13

No. 14 Maryland

2009 Rank: 12
Business Costs Rank: 49
Labor Supply Rank: 8
Regulatory Environment: 9
Economic Climate: 19
Growth Prospects: 29
Quality of Life: 8

No. 15 Minnesota

2009 Rank: 17
Business Costs Rank: 30
Labor Supply Rank: 8
Regulatory Environment: 32
Economic Climate: 37
Growth Prospects: 13
Quality of Life: 4

No. 16 Massachusetts

2009 Rank: 34
Business Costs Rank: 50
Labor Supply Rank: 10
Regulatory Environment: 13
Economic Climate: 22
Growth Prospects: 28
Quality of Life: 1

No. 17 South Dakota

2009 Rank: 16
Business Costs Rank: 1
Labor Supply Rank: 32
Regulatory Environment: 37
Economic Climate: 5
Growth Prospects: 46
Quality of Life: 25

No. 18 Missouri

2009 Rank: 29
Business Costs Rank: 15
Labor Supply Rank: 39
Regulatory Environment: 7
Economic Climate: 26
Growth Prospects: 36
Quality of Life: 26

No. 19 New Hampshire

2009 Rank: 19
Business Costs Rank: 40
Labor Supply Rank: 6
Regulatory Environment: 47
Economic Climate: 32
Growth Prospects: 5
Quality of Life: 2

No. 20 Delaware

2009 Rank: 21
Business Costs Rank: 12
Labor Supply Rank: 13
Regulatory Environment: 31
Economic Climate: 47
Growth Prospects: 16
Quality of Life: 36

No. 21 New York

2009 Rank: 32
Business Costs Rank: 43
Labor Supply Rank: 29
Regulatory Environment: 23
Economic Climate: 9
Growth Prospects: 22
Quality of Life: 11

No. 22 Tennessee

2009 Rank: 23
Business Costs Rank: 10
Labor Supply Rank: 38
Regulatory Environment: 4
Economic Climate: 44
Growth Prospects: 23
Quality of Life: 43

No. 23 Arizona

2009 Rank: 36
Business Costs Rank: 36
Labor Supply Rank: 12
Regulatory Environment: 38
Economic Climate: 15
Growth Prospects: 7
Quality of Life: 37

No. 24 Montana

2009 Rank: 13
Business Costs Rank: 19
Labor Supply Rank: 11
Regulatory Environment: 40
Economic Climate: 10
Growth Prospects: 42
Quality of Life: 34

No. 25 Alabama

2009 Rank: 28
Business Costs Rank: 21
Labor Supply Rank: 42
Regulatory Environment: 10
Economic Climate: 29
Growth Prospects: 10
Quality of Life: 46

No. 26 Florida

2009 Rank: 18
Business Costs Rank: 37
Labor Supply Rank: 14
Regulatory Environment: 22
Economic Climate: 36
Growth Prospects: 3
Quality of Life: 39

No. 27 Wyoming

2009 Rank: 22
Business Costs Rank: 2
Labor Supply Rank: 24
Regulatory Environment: 49
Economic Climate: 8
Growth Prospects: 48
Quality of Life: 31

No. 28 Nevada

2009 Rank: 31
Business Costs Rank: 13
Labor Supply Rank: 27
Regulatory Environment: 33
Economic Climate: 24
Growth Prospects: 17
Quality of Life: 47

No. 29 Indiana

2009 Rank: 30
Business Costs Rank: 10
Labor Supply Rank: 43
Regulatory Environment: 16
Economic Climate: 48
Growth Prospects: 32
Quality of Life: 19

No. 30 Pennsylvania

2009 Rank: 33
Business Costs Rank: 34
Labor Supply Rank: 34
Regulatory Environment: 21
Economic Climate: 16
Growth Prospects: 43
Quality of Life: 7

No. 31 Kentucky

2009 Rank: 43
Business Costs Rank: 8
Labor Supply Rank: 45
Regulatory Environment: 26
Economic Climate: 40
Growth Prospects: 15
Quality of Life: 33

No. 32 Arkansas

2009 Rank: 26
Business Costs Rank: 14
Labor Supply Rank: 44
Regulatory Environment: 24
Economic Climate: 25
Growth Prospects: 21
Quality of Life: 44

No. 33 Oklahoma

2009 Rank: 20
Business Costs Rank: 16
Labor Supply Rank: 41
Regulatory Environment: 20
Economic Climate: 7
Growth Prospects: 50
Quality of Life: 41

No. 34 South Carolina

2009 Rank: 25
Business Costs Rank: 26
Labor Supply Rank: 28
Regulatory Environment: 8
Economic Climate: 43
Growth Prospects: 26
Quality of Life: 45

No. 35 New Mexico

2009 Rank: 27
Business Costs Rank: 22
Labor Supply Rank: 32
Regulatory Environment: 35
Economic Climate: 31
Growth Prospects: 2
Quality of Life: 49

No. 36 Connecticut

2009 Rank: 35
Business Costs Rank: 45
Labor Supply Rank: 17
Regulatory Environment: 39
Economic Climate: 23
Growth Prospects: 35
Quality of Life: 3

No. 37 Illinois

2009 Rank: 24
Business Costs Rank: 39
Labor Supply Rank: 30
Regulatory Environment: 18
Economic Climate: 34
Growth Prospects: 38
Quality of Life: 24

No. 38 Ohio

2009 Rank: 37
Business Costs Rank: 32
Labor Supply Rank: 47
Regulatory Environment: 12
Economic Climate: 46
Growth Prospects: 37
Quality of Life: 12

No. 39 California

2009 Rank: 38
Business Costs Rank: 44
Labor Supply Rank: 25
Regulatory Environment: 43
Economic Climate: 28
Growth Prospects: 11
Quality of Life: 22

No. 40 New Jersey

2009 Rank: 45
Business Costs Rank: 46
Labor Supply Rank: 20
Regulatory Environment: 41
Economic Climate: 33
Growth Prospects: 33
Quality of Life: 5

No. 41 West Virginia

2009 Rank: 46
Business Costs Rank: 5
Labor Supply Rank: 48
Regulatory Environment: 46
Economic Climate: 38
Growth Prospects: 23
Quality of Life: 40

No. 42 Alaska

2009 Rank: 42
Business Costs Rank: 29
Labor Supply Rank: 31
Regulatory Environment: 42
Economic Climate: 27
Growth Prospects: 27
Quality of Life: 42

No. 43 Wisconsin

2009 Rank: 48
Business Costs Rank: 35
Labor Supply Rank: 36
Regulatory Environment: 36
Economic Climate: 34
Growth Prospects: 47
Quality of Life: 10

No. 44 Louisiana

2009 Rank: 44
Business Costs Rank: 25
Labor Supply Rank: 50
Regulatory Environment: 27
Economic Climate: 41
Growth Prospects: 18
Quality of Life: 50

No. 45 Vermont

2009 Rank: 47
Business Costs Rank: 42
Labor Supply Rank: 16
Regulatory Environment: 45
Economic Climate: 39
Growth Prospects: 45
Quality of Life: 15

No. 46 Hawaii

2009 Rank: 39
Business Costs Rank: 47
Labor Supply Rank: 21
Regulatory Environment: 44
Economic Climate: 21
Growth Prospects: 41
Quality of Life: 28

No. 47 Michigan

2009 Rank: 49
Business Costs Rank: 38
Labor Supply Rank: 46
Regulatory Environment: 14
Economic Climate: 42
Growth Prospects: 49
Quality of Life: 30

No. 48 Mississippi

2009 Rank: 40
Business Costs Rank: 20
Labor Supply Rank: 49
Regulatory Environment: 30
Economic Climate: 49
Growth Prospects: 31
Quality of Life: 48

No. 49 Rhode Island

2009 Rank: 50
Business Costs Rank: 41
Labor Supply Rank: 34
Regulatory Environment: 50
Economic Climate: 50
Growth Prospects: 23
Quality of Life: 17

No. 50 Maine

2009 Rank: 41
Business Costs Rank: 47
Labor Supply Rank: 26
Regulatory Environment: 48
Economic Climate: 45
Growth Prospects: 44
Quality of Life: 16

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