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Maine (/ m eɪ n / ⓘ MAYN) is the easternmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec to the northeast and northwest, respectively. Maine is the largest state in New England by
- Bangor
Bangor (/ ˈ b æ ŋ ɡ ɔːr / BANG-gor) is a city in and the...
- Portland
Portland (/ ˈ p ɔːr t l ə n d / PORT-lənd) is the most...
- Augusta
Augusta (/ ə ˈ ɡ ʌ s t ə / ə-GUSS-tə) is the capital of the...
- List of Counties in Maine
Maine's county names come from a mix of British, American,...
- List of United States Senators From Maine
Maine was admitted to the Union on March 15, 1820. The...
- List of Municipalities in Maine
Maine is a state located in the Northeastern United...
- Bangor
Things to Do in Maine, United States: See Tripadvisor's 1,065,770 traveler reviews and photos of Maine tourist attractions. Find what to do today or anytime in May. We have reviews of the best places to see in Maine. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.
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Maine, constituent state of the United States of America. The largest of the six New England states in area, it lies at the northeastern corner of the country. Its total area, including about 2,300 square miles (6,000 square km) of inland water, represents nearly half of the total area of New England. Maine is bounded to the northwest and northeast by the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, respectively, and to the west by New Hampshire. The famed rocky coastline of the state is angled from southwest to northeast along the Atlantic Ocean. Maine was admitted to the union on March 15, 1820, as the 23rd state; its capital is Augusta. The Algonquian-speaking peoples inhabiting the region called it “Land of the Frozen Ground,” and there are two theories of the derivation of the state’s English name: that it was named for the former French province of Maine and that it was so named for being the “mainland,” as opposed to the coastal islands.
Maine is the most sparsely populated state east of the Mississippi River. More than four-fifths of its total land area is under forest cover. By most statistical measures Maine is an economically depressed state, yet the rugged beauty and challenge of its climate and landscape and the character of its people have given Maine an importance beyond its economic and political power. Limited economic growth has contributed to the preservation of much of its natural appearance. Since 1970, however, one-third of the state’s southern coastal counties have recorded accelerating growth rates, increased residential and commercial construction, and increased revenues. Maine’s economy has become increasingly dependent on services, while the traditional industry, the manufacture of paper and paper products, has declined. Fishing, forestry, mining, and agriculture comprise the second most important sector. The state thus epitomizes the increasingly difficult national choices between preservation of environmental quality and potential economic expansion. Area 35,380 square miles (91,634 square km). Population (2020) 1,362,359; (2023 est.) 1,395,722.
The Appalachian mountain chain extends into Maine from New Hampshire, terminating in the north-central part of the state at Mount Katahdin—at 5,268 feet (1,606 metres) Maine’s tallest peak. Quoddy Head, near Lubec, is the easternmost point in the country. Caribou is the country’s northeasternmost city. The western and northwestern borders adjoining New Hampshire and Quebec have the most rugged terrain, with numerous glacier-scoured peaks, lakes, and narrow valleys. South and east of the mountain areas lie rolling hills and smaller mountains and the broad valleys of the Saco, Androscoggin, Kennebec, and Penobscot rivers.
From Kittery, at the southern tip of the state, to Cape Elizabeth, just southwest of the state’s largest city, Portland, long sand beaches are interrupted intermittently by rocky promontories. From Cape Elizabeth to Rockland, the coastline of Maine is a series of peninsulas, narrow estuaries, bays, fjords, and coves—once glacier-covered mountains and valleys now partially submerged in the post-Ice Age rise in sea level. The coast from Rockland to Washington county consists of bays and islands, as well as interior hills. The eastern region is commonly referred to as “Downeast” (sometimes styled “Down East”), an area often shrouded in fog. The Camden Hills and the peaks of Mount Desert Island are the largest of the coastal mountains. The tides along this famous rockbound coast are among the strongest in the world, running between 12 and 24 feet (3.7 and 7.3 metres). Off the coast of the state lie about 1,200 islands, some no more than rocky ledges, others topped with trees and sheltering the homes of fishermen, lobstermen, and summer residents. All told, the coast of Maine—including the bays, inlets, and river estuaries—totals some 3,500 miles (5,600 km).
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Most of Maine’s river systems flow from north to south. Northern Maine is a dissected upland drained by north-flowing streams. The St. John River and its principal tributary, the Allagash, are the major exceptions, flowing north and then east along the northern border of Maine and turning south through New Brunswick, Can., to the Bay of Fundy. The state is dotted with 2,500 lakes and ponds, the largest of which is Moosehead Lake (116 square miles [300 square km]).
Soils in Maine are classified as ashy gray, acidic spodosols. In southwestern Maine, soils were formed primarily from granite; coastal, central, and eastern soils are composed of shale, sand, and limestone. The soils of Aroostook county, in the northeast, which are among the most productive in the state, are largely composed of Caribou loam, a rich soil ideal for growing potatoes.
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Maine has three well-defined climatic zones: central, southern interior, and northern. Although all are classified as humid continental, small differences exist among regions. The southern and coastal regions are influenced by air masses from the south and west. North of the land dividing the St. John and Penobscot river basins, air masses moving d...
Jan 18, 2024 · Key Facts. Maine, the northeasternmost New England state in the United States, is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and the state of New Hampshire to the southwest. It covers a total area of 35,385 mi 2 (91,646 km 2 ).
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- Maine's biggest city (by population) is the state's cultural hub, offering plenty in the way of art, history and food.
- Bar Harbor is small-town Maine at its finest. This adorable town, widely known as the gateway to Acadia National Park, offers a village-like atmosphere and a picturesque waterfront setting worth writing home about.
- For truly breathtaking marine terrain, complete with rocky coastlines and lush forests, travel to Acadia National Park.
- Overlooking Penobscot Bay, Camden is small but full of charm. The harbor is always bustling with boats bringing fishermen to and from shore each day.
Maine is the northernmost and easternmost state in New England. Its rugged, indented coastline and glacier-carved, forested interior give this state its unique character and have shaped the character of its people. Maine is one of the more sparsely populated states in the USA.
Nov 17, 2009 · Maine is famous for its rocky coastline and is the leading U.S. producer of lobsters and blueberries. Date of Statehood: March 15, 1820. Capital: Augusta. Population: 1,362,359 (2020) Size:...
