Maine

Capital: Augusta State abbreviation/Postal code: Maine/ME Governor: John Baldacci, D (to Jan. 2011) Senate President: Beth Edmonds, D (to Jan. 2009) Senators: Susan Collins, R (to Jan. 2009); Olympia J. Snowe, R (to Jan. 2013) U.S. Representatives: 2 Historical biographies of Congressional members Secy. of State: Matthew Dunlap, D (to Jan. 2009) Treasurer: David Lemoine, D (to Jan. 2009) Atty. General: G. Steven Rowe, D (to Jan. 2009) Entered Union (rank): March 15, 1820 (23) Present constitution adopted: 1820 Motto: Dirigo (I lead) State symbols: flower white pine cone and tassel (1895) tree white pine tree (1945) bird chickadee (1927) fish landlocked salmon (1969) mineral tourmaline (1971) song “State of Maine Song” (1937) animal moose (1979) cat Maine coon cat (1985) fossil pertica quadrifaria (1985) insect honeybee (1975) Nickname: Pine Tree State Origin of name: First used to distinguish the mainland from the offshore islands. It has been considered a compliment to Henrietta Maria, queen of Charles I of England. She was said to have owned the province of Mayne in France. 10 largest cities (2005 est.): Portland, 63,889; Lewiston, 36,050; Bangor, 31,074; South Portland, 23,742; Auburn, 23,602; Biddeford, 22,072; Augusta, 18,626; Saco, 18,230; Westbrook, 16,108; Waterville, 15,621 Land area: 30,862 sq mi. (79,933 sq km) Geographic center: In Piscataquis Co., 18 mi. N of Dover-Foxcroft Number of counties: 16 Largest county by population and area: Cumberland, 274,950 (2005); Aroostook, 6,672 sq mi. State forests: 1 (21,000 ac.) State parks: 30+ State historic sites: 18 (403 ac.) Residents: Mainer 2005 resident population est.: 1,321,505 2000 resident census population (rank): 1,274,923 (40). Male: 620,309 (48.7%); Female: 654,614 (51.3%). White: 1,236,014 (96.9%); Black: 6,760 (0.5%); American Indian: 7,098 (0.6%); Asian: 9,111 (0.7%); Other race: 2,911 (0.2%); Two or more races: 12,647 (1.0%); Hispanic/Latino: 9,360 (0.7%); 2000 percent population 18 and over: 76.4; 65 and over: 14.4; median age: 38.6. See additional census data Area codes Tourism office

Map of Maine

John Cabot and his son, Sebastian, are believed to have visited the Maine coast in 1498. However, the first permanent English settlements were not established until more than a century later, in 1623.

The first naval action of the Revolutionary War occurred in 1775 when colonials captured the British sloop Margaretta off Machias on the Maine coast. In that same year, the British burned Falmouth (now Portland).

Long governed by Massachusetts, Maine became the 23rd state as part of the Missouri Compromise in 1820.

Maine produces 98% of the nation's low-bush blueberries. Farm income is also derived from apples, potatoes, dairy products, and vegetables, with poultry and eggs the largest selling items.

The state is one of the world's largest pulp-paper producers. With almost 89% of its area forested, Maine turns out wood products from boats to toothpicks. Maine also leads the world in the production of the familiar flat tins of sardines, producing more than 75 million of them annually. In 2005, Maine lobstermen landed nearly 63 million pounds of lobster.

A scenic seacoast, beaches, lakes, mountains, and resorts make Maine a popular vacationland. There are more than 2,500 lakes and 5,000 streams, plus more than 30 state parks to attract hunters, fishermen, skiers, and campers.

Major points of interest are Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, Allagash National Wilderness Waterway, the Wadsworth-Longfellow House in Portland, Roosevelt Campobello International Park, and the St. Croix Island National Monument.

See more on Maine:
Encyclopedia: Maine
Encyclopedia: Geography
Encyclopedia: Economy
Encyclopedia: Government
Encyclopedia: History
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Selected famous natives and residents:

• F. Lee Bailey defense attorney;

• Charles F. Browne (Artemus Ward) humorist;

• Cyrus Curtis publisher;

• Dorothea Dix civil rights reformer;

• John Ford film director;

• Melville Fuller jurist;

• Marsden Hartley painter;

• Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poet;

• Sarah Orne Jewett author;

• Stephen King writer;

• Linda Lavin actress;

• Edna St. Vincent Millay poet;

• Marston Morse mathematician;

• Frank Munsey publisher;

• Walter Piston composer;

• George Putnam publisher;

• Kenneth Roberts historical novelist;

• Edwin Arlington Robinson poet;

• Margaret Chase Smith politician;

• Samantha Smith peacemaker and actress;

• John Hay Whitney publisher.

Fact Monster/Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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