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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.

maine-state-seal

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

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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.

lindos beach

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

ocean coastline

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

Stephen King caricature

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.

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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!

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.

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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.

old-snowman

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.

More US state facts.

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