Maine Facts
Maine is a classic New England state complete with a rocky coast, fishing harbors, lighthouses, and tall pine trees.
There are also lakes, forests, and wildlife including rainbow trout and moose.
But Maine’s attractions aren’t only outdoors: It’s also home to historic attractions, art museums, and much more!
Quick Facts
Capital: Augusta
Population: 1.4 million
Nickname: The Pine Tree State
Key Cities: Portland, Augusta, Bangor, Bar Harbor
Postal Abbreviation: ME
Major Industries: Paper, agriculture, fishing, lumber, textiles
History
How did Maine get its name: It’s not clear exactly how Maine got its name.
The name first appeared in writing in 1622, and it’s probably a sailing term referring to the state being a “mainland” that is separate from the many nearby islands.
Date admitted to the Union: Wednesday, March 15, 1820
Geography
Size: 35,385 sq. miles
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean at sea level
Highest point: Katahdin at 5,268 feet
Counties: 16
Famous locations: Acadia National Park, Kennebunkport, Boothbay Harbor, Portland Museum of Art, Maine Maritime Museum, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Famous Mainers
Anna Kendrick- actress
Patrick Dempsey- actor
Stephen King- author
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow- poet
Margaret Chase Smith- politician
Victoria Rowell- actress
Fun Facts
Eastport, Maine is the most eastern city in the United States. It’s the first place in the United States to receive morning sunshine.
Maine is the only state in the country with a one-syllable name. It’s also the only state that shares its border with just one other state.
We all have Maine to thank for lobsters, blueberries, and toothpicks. About 90% of the country’s lobster supply is caught off the coast of Maine.
That’s about 40 million pounds of lobster!
The state also produces 99% of all the blueberries in the U.S. and 90% of the country’s toothpick supply.
Maine’s official state animal is the moose. It has the highest moose population in the country, with about 76,000 moose roaming the state.
Although Maine has several well-known art museums, it’s also home to a few museums that are more…unique.
These include the Maine Coast Sardine History Museum, the Umbrella Cover Museum, and the International Cryptozoology Museum.
It’s dedicated to studying mysterious animals like Bigfoot, Yetis, and Lake Monsters.
Maine is known for its freezing winters and is one of the ten coldest states in the nation.
The state’s coldest day ever was in January of 2009, when temperatures reached -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Big Black River.
