The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. Two thirds of its population of 6.6 million lives in the Boston metropolitan area. It is the 6th US State; admitted into the Union on February 6, 1788. The state capital is Boston. Other major cities include Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Cambridge, Brockton, New Bedford, Fall River, Quincy, Lynn. Massachusetts' nickname is "The Bay State" and is also known as The Old Colony State.