MAINE

STATE FACTS

the pine tree state

STATE BIRD
Chickadee

DA

CAPITAL
Augusta

STATEHOOD
March 15, 1820
Rank: 23rd

LARGEST CITIES
Portland (64,249)
Lewiston (35,690)
Bangor (31,473)

LAND AREA
30,862 sq. mi.
(79,933 sq. km.)

HI

NE W HA MP SH IRE

POPULATION
1,274,923 (2000)

STATE TREE
Eastern White Pine

TE

OU

NT
AI

NS

CA

NA

STATE FLOWER
White Pine Cone
and Tassel

he Kennebec, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot were

hunting, farming, and fishing in the region when the first
waves of European settlers arrived in the 1620s.The states
name came either from a French province or because early
Mt. Katahdin
European settlers took to calling it the mainland to
distinguish it from its many coastal islands.
British and French colonists jockeyed for control of
Moosehead
Lake
the region for more than a century. A young United
States finally gained control of Maine at the end of
the American Revolution, but both border
MAINE
conflicts with Canada and the issue of statehood
remained contentious issues, partially because
other states, including Massachusetts, wanted to
Bangor
add Maines land to their own.
Maine became a state 1820, and its border
with Canada was fixed in 1842.The states
AUGUSTA
natural resources led to strong fishing,
shipbuilding, and timber industries that drew
Rockland
Lewiston
settlers throughout the mid-1800s; these
Bath
industries remain important to the economy.
Todays shipbuilding industry has modernized
Portland
to include nuclear-powered submarines.
a ine
of M
f
l
Maine enjoys a moderate summer climate
Gu
Sanford
with an average temperature of 70F (21C).
With an average winter temperature of 22F
(-5.6C) and between 60 and 90 inches
(152 and 229 cm) of snow every
year, this mountainous state is a
popular destination for skiing
and other winter sports.

KING PHILIPS WAR

As British and colonial settlers encroached on American Indian lands, the
Wampanoags leader, King Phillip (known also as Metacom), organized tribal
resistance throughout New England. In the summer of 1675, battles broke out
that led to the loss of more than 3,500 lives. Most Indians were forced to give
up their lands to white settlers and relocate farther north or west.

DID YOU KNOW?

Maine is the only

U.S. state with a
one-syllable name.

10
(c) 2011 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.

MAJOR MOOSE
Maine is the most heavily
forested state in the nation:
17 million acres (6.9 million
hectares) of forest cover 90
percent of the state.This makes
for abundant and varied wildlife,
including beavers, bobcats, coyotes, and
porcupine. Maine is home to one of the
nations largest moose populations. An
estimated 29,000 moose are found
primarily in the states north.They
feast on the states many trees as
well as aquatic plants found in
Maines 6,000 lakes and ponds.

C A N A DA

THE FAR EAST

Jutting out of the
frigid waters of the
North Atlantic just
offshore from the
historic West Quoddy
Head lighthouse is Sail
Rock, considered the
easternmost point in the
United States.The lighthouse was
first built by order of President Thomas
Jefferson in 1808 to light the way for sailors
navigating Maines rocky coastline.

Calais

Milbridge

LOBSTERFEST
The lobster capital of the world,
Rockland, hosts an annual festival
celebrating Maines maritime heritage.
It includes live entertainment; the
Crate Race, in which participants
try to cross the harbor without
falling into the water; and, of
course, the eating of tons of
lobster.

KING OF HORROR
STEPHEN KING

WEDDING CAKE
The George W. Bourne House, better
known as the Wedding Cake House, is
located in the picturesque village and
summer resort of Kennebunkport. Originally
built in 1826 as a simple brick home, its
shipbuilder owner later added the fanciful
gingerbread and turrets that have made the
building a must-see for tourists.

LOBSTER FISHING
Fifty-seven million pounds (25,855,030 kg) of
lobster were harvested in Maine in 2000,
making this clawed crustacean an important
part of the states economy and culture.The
state also has significant natural resources that
make outdoor recreation possible in all
seasons.This has made the tourism industry
important to Maines economy.Visitors to
Maines many southern coastal resorts enjoy
sandy beaches and blue sea for sunning,
swimming, sailing, and fishing.

ortland-born
author Stephen
King first rose to fame
in 1974 with the
publication of his first
novel, Carrie. King has
since become a bestselling and beloved
author who helped
reshape and revive the
horror genre.This
prolific author, known
King intends to retire
for his compelling
from publishing his
storytelling, writes in
writing after his next
a wide range of
few novels are
published.
genreshorror,
science fiction, and
fantasyand is a leader in innovative
publishing formats, including e-books and
serials. Most of his novels and short stories
take place in New England.

WINDY PEAKS
At 5,268 feet (1,606 m), Mt.
Katahdin is Maines highest
point and the northern terminus
of the Appalachian National
Scenic Trail, a 2,158-mile (3,473
km) hiking path through 14 states.
Mount Katahdin is part of the
White Mountains, which extend
into western and central Maine
as well as New Hampshire.
Northern and eastern Maine
boast river valleys, mountains, and
rolling plateaus. More than 1,200
islands are found off of Maines
rugged Atlantic coastline. Many, like
Vinalhaven Island, support thriving
year-round and summer human
populations while others can
support only roosting birds.

11
(c) 2011 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.