Connecticut is located in the northeastern United States in the New England region and is bordered by Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and the Atlantic Ocean. As one of the 13 colonies, Connecticut played an important role in the American War of Independence. The capital is Hartford. Characteristic of Connecticut are its picturesque landscapes, woodlands, hills and coastal plains. Places of interest include the renowned Yale University, the Mystic Seaport Museum and the Mark Twain House & Museum.