State symbols of Maine
Song	"State of Maine" "The Dirigo March" "The Ballad of the 20th Maine"
Bird	Black-capped chickadee
Fish	Landlocked Atlantic salmon
Flower	White pine cone and tassel
Fruit	Wild blueberry
Tree	White pine
Plant	Wintergreen
Insect	Honey bee

Maine (pronounced MAYN) is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the most northeastern state in the country. Maine shares borders with New Hampshire to the west and the Gulf of Maine to the southeast. It also borders the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec. Maine is the largest state in New England by land area.

For about 12,000 years, Indigenous people lived in Maine. They settled there after the glaciers melted from the last ice age. When Europeans arrived, several groups speaking Algonquian lived in the area. These groups are now known as the Wabanaki Confederacy.

The first European settlement was by the French in 1604 on Saint Croix Island. The first English settlement was the Popham Colony in 1607, but it didn't last long. Maine was part of Massachusetts until 1820. On March 15, 1820, Maine became the 23rd state as part of the Missouri Compromise.

Today, Maine is famous for its beautiful, rocky coastline, mountains, and thick forests. It is also known for its delicious food, especially wild blueberries and seafood like lobster and clams. The coastal areas, especially around Portland, are important for creative businesses.

History of Maine

Maine State House, the state capitol building in Augusta.

Misty Morning, Coast of Maine by Arthur Parton.

Early Inhabitants and European Contact

The first known people to live in Maine were the Wabanaki peoples. These included the Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, Penobscot, Androscoggin, and Kennebec tribes. They lived in permanent villages or moved between summer and winter camps. They usually spent winters inland and summers near the coast.

Some historians believe that Vikings might have visited Maine around 1200 CE. They might have traded with the native Penobscot people. If true, this would be the earliest European visit to the US. An 11th-century Norwegian coin, called the Maine Penny, was found at a Native American site in 1954. This suggests early contact.

European Settlements and Conflicts

The first confirmed European settlement in Maine was in 1604. French explorer Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons led this settlement on Saint Croix Island. The French called this whole area Acadia. The English started their first settlement, the Popham Colony, in 1607.

Over the 17th and 18th centuries, the French, English, and Native American tribes often fought over Maine. Many English settlements along the coast struggled because of the harsh climate and conflicts. By the 1700s, only a few European settlements remained.

Becoming a State

During the American Revolution, both American and British forces fought for control of Maine. The British even occupied eastern Maine for a time. After the war, Maine remained part of Massachusetts. However, Maine was physically separate from the rest of Massachusetts.

People in Maine wanted to become their own state. This desire grew stronger during the War of 1812. Massachusetts did not defend Maine well from British invaders. In 1819, Massachusetts finally agreed to let Maine become a separate state.

On March 15, 1820, Maine officially became the 23rd state. This happened as part of the Missouri Compromise. This agreement helped keep a balance between states where slavery was allowed and states where it was not. Portland was Maine's first capital. In 1832, the capital moved to Augusta, which is more central.

During the American Civil War, the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment played a key role. They helped protect the Union Army at the Battle of Gettysburg. Four U.S. Navy ships have been named USS Maine. The most famous one, an armored cruiser, sank in 1898. This event helped start the Spanish–American War.

Geography of Maine

A map of Maine showing its famous jagged coast.

Maine is bordered by the Gulf of Maine to the south and east. To the west is New Hampshire. The Canadian provinces of New Brunswick are to the north and northeast. Quebec is to the northwest. Maine is the largest state in New England. It is the only U.S. state that borders just one other American state.

Lubec is the easternmost town in the United States. Its Quoddy Head Lighthouse is the closest place in the U.S. to Africa and Europe. Estcourt Station is the northernmost point in Maine and New England.

Moosehead Lake is the largest lake entirely within New England. Mount Katahdin is the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. This famous hiking trail goes all the way to Georgia.

Maine is the least crowded state east of the Mississippi River. It is called the "Pine Tree State" because over 80% of its land is covered by forests. This is the most forest cover of any U.S. state. Many parts of the interior are uninhabited.

Maine's Coastline and Landscape

Maine has about 230 miles (370 km) of ocean coastline. If you count all the bays and inlets, it's about 3,500 miles (5,600 km) of tidal coastline. Along the coast, you'll find lighthouses, beaches, fishing villages, and thousands of islands. The coastline has jagged rocks, cliffs, and many bays. Inland, there are lakes, rivers, forests, and mountains.

The Maine coast and Portland Head Light.

Rocky shoreline in Acadia National Park.

Geologists call Maine's landscape a "drowned coast." This means that rising sea levels have covered former land features. Valleys became bays, and mountain tops became islands. This happened after the last ice age when glaciers melted.

Acadia National Park is the only national park in New England. It is near Bar Harbor. Other protected areas include the Appalachian Trail and Saint Croix Island International Historic Site.

Climate in Maine

Autumn in the Hundred-Mile Wilderness.

Köppen climate types of Maine.

Winter in Bangor.

Maine has a humid continental climate. This means it has warm, sometimes humid summers. Winters are long, cold, and very snowy. Winters are especially cold in northern and western Maine. Coastal areas are a bit milder because of the Atlantic Ocean.

In July, daytime temperatures are usually between 75°F and 85°F (24°C and 29°C). Overnight lows are around 50s°F (10-15°C). In January, temperatures range from highs near 30°F (-1°C) on the southern coast to lows below 0°F (-18°C) in the far north.

Maine gets rain and snow throughout the year. Coastal Maine usually has its driest months in late spring and summer. Thunderstorms are less common in Maine than in other states east of the Rockies. Tornadoes are rare, but their number is increasing.

Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for selected cities in Maine
Location	July (°F)	July (°C)	January (°F)	January (°C)
Portland	78/59	26/15	31/13	−0/−10
Lewiston	81/61	27/16	29/11	−2/−12
Bangor	79/57	26/14	27/6	−2/−14
Augusta	79/60	26/15	27/11	−2/−11
Presque Isle	77/55	25/13	20/1	−6/−17

Plants and Animals in Maine

Maine has many different plants and animals. Its landscapes include forests, coastlines, and wetlands. Forests have trees like balsam fir, sugar maple, and the state tree, the Eastern white pine. Coastal areas have tough plants like sea milkwort and bayberry.

Maine's animals include large mammals like moose, black bears, and white-tailed deer. Smaller animals like red squirrels and raccoons also live there. Maine has the largest populations of moose and black bears in the United States. Many birds, both migratory and resident, live in Maine. Wetlands are home to amphibians like spotted salamanders and wood frogs. Freshwater areas have fish like brook trout. Marine life includes Atlantic puffins, harbor seals, and lobster. Maine is the biggest producer of lobster in the U.S.

Government of Maine

The Maine Constitution sets up Maine's state government. It has three equal parts: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

The legislative branch is the Maine Legislature. It has two parts: the Maine House of Representatives (151 members) and the Maine Senate (35 members). Their job is to create and pass laws.

The executive branch is led by the Governor of Maine. The Governor is elected every four years and can serve two terms in a row. The Legislature can overrule a governor's decision with a two-thirds vote. Maine is one of the few states that does not have a lieutenant governor.

Maine.gov logo

The highest court in Maine is the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. There are also lower courts. Judges are chosen by the Governor and approved by the Legislature.

People and Population

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1790	96,540	—
1800	151,719	57.2%
1810	228,705	50.7%
1820	298,335	30.4%
1830	399,455	33.9%
1840	501,793	25.6%
1850	583,169	16.2%
1860	628,279	7.7%
1870	626,915	−0.2%
1880	648,936	3.5%
1890	661,086	1.9%
1900	694,466	5.0%
1910	742,371	6.9%
1920	768,014	3.5%
1930	797,423	3.8%
1940	847,226	6.2%
1950	913,774	7.9%
1960	969,265	6.1%
1970	992,048	2.4%
1980	1,124,660	13.4%
1990	1,227,928	9.2%
2000	1,274,923	3.8%
2010	1,328,361	4.2%
2020	1,362,359	2.6%
2023 (est.)	1,395,722	5.1%
Source: 1910–2020

Maine population density map.

Ethnic origins in Maine.

In 2020, about 1,362,359 people lived in Maine. The state's population density is about 41 people per square mile. This makes it the least crowded state east of the Mississippi River. Maine is also the most rural state, with most people living outside of big cities.

Most of Maine's population growth has been in the southern coastal areas. These areas are becoming more diverse. However, the northern, rural parts of the state have seen a slight decrease in population. Maine has the highest percentage of people aged 65 or older in the U.S.

In 2010, Maine had the highest percentage of non-Hispanic White people of any state, at 94.4%. Maine also has the second-highest number of senior citizens living there.

Languages Spoken in Maine

Maine does not have an official language. The most common language is English. In 2010, about 92.91% of Maine residents aged five and older spoke only English at home.

French is the main minority language. Maine has the highest percentage of people speaking French at home of any state (3.93%). Many of these are of Canadian origin. Some have lived there since before the American Revolution. There are many French speakers in Aroostook County. This area is part of a cultural region called Acadia. Spanish is the third most common language in Maine.

Religion in Maine

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Religious self-identification, per Public Religion Research Institute's 2022 American Values Survey Protestantism (41%) Catholicism (21%) Unitarian/Universalist (1%) Unaffiliated (30%) Judaism (5%) Other (1%)

In 2022, about 63% of people in Maine were Christian. About 30% said they were not connected to any religion. The largest Christian groups are Catholics and Protestants. Other religions like Judaism and New Age beliefs are also present.

Maine's Economy

Bath Iron Works naval shipbuilding.

Lobstering in Portland.

Maine's economy is worth about $91.1 billion as of 2023. The average income per person in 2023 was $63,117. Maine's unemployment rate was 3.3% in September 2022. The minimum wage in Maine is $13.80 as of September 2023.

Key Industries

Maine's farms produce poultry, eggs, dairy products, cattle, wild blueberries, apples, and maple syrup. Aroostook County is known for its potato crops. Potatoes bring in a lot of money for the state.

Commercial fishing is still important, especially lobstering. Maine is the largest producer of lobster in the United States. Oyster and seaweed harvesting are also growing.

Maine's factories make paper, wood products, electronic equipment, and food products. Shipbuilding is also a key industry. Major shipyards include Bath Iron Works in Bath and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery.

Wild low-bush blueberries are only produced commercially in Maine.

Maine is the top U.S. producer of low-bush blueberries. These are also called wild blueberries. In 2012, Maine produced over 91 million pounds of blueberries.

Tourism and Recreation

An old advertisement promoting vacations in Maine.

Tourism and outdoor activities are very important to Maine's economy. People visit Maine for hunting (deer, moose, bear), sport fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, boating, camping, and hiking. The Greater Portland area is also a growing center for creative businesses.

Historically, Maine's ports were important for transportation. Portland's port was a main winter port for Canada because it doesn't freeze. Today, Portland International Jetport has more flights from major airlines.

Companies and Innovation

Maine has a few large companies headquartered there. These include Covetrus in Portland, Fairchild Semiconductor in South Portland, and L.L.Bean in Freeport. Maine is also home to the Jackson Laboratory. This is the world's largest non-profit research center for mammal genetics.

Transportation in Maine

Airports

Portland International Jetport.

Maine has two main airports with passenger jet service: the Portland International Jetport in Portland and the Bangor International Airport in Bangor. Both have daily flights to cities like New York and Atlanta. Smaller airports around the state offer regional flights.

Highways

The Penobscot Narrows Bridge, carrying U.S. Route 1 and Maine State Route 3 over the Penobscot River.

Interstate 95 (I-95) runs through Maine. Other important routes include U.S. Route 1, which starts in Fort Kent and goes all the way to Florida. U.S. Route 2 also crosses the state. These roads are often used by truckers traveling to or from Canada.

Rail Travel

A southbound Downeaster passenger train.

The Downeaster passenger train is run by Amtrak. It offers service between Brunswick and Boston, with stops in places like Portland and Old Orchard Beach. There are five trips daily.

Freight trains also operate throughout Maine. Several companies provide freight service, moving goods across the state.

Shipping

The International Marine Terminal in Portland handles shipping containers. In 2021, about 36,700 shipping containers moved through this terminal. The Icelandic shipping company Eimskip opened its U.S. headquarters in Portland in 2013. Their ships stop in Portland weekly, connecting Maine to Canada, Iceland, Europe, and Asia.

Cities and Towns

Organized Municipalities

Maine has organized municipalities, which means they have an elected local government. These governments provide services, keep records, and pass local rules. As of 2022, Maine has 23 cities, 430 towns, and 30 plantations. These organized areas cover less than half of the state.

The city with the most people is Portland (population 68,408).
The smallest city by population is Eastport (population 1,288).
The largest town by population is Brunswick (population 21,756).
The largest municipality by land area is the town of Allagash, at 128 square miles (330 km2).

Unorganized Territory

More than half of Maine's land area is "unorganized territory." This means it has no local government. The state government and county governments handle services and rules for these areas. About 9,000 people live year-round in these unorganized territories. Most of this land is in the vast and unpopulated Great North Woods of Maine.

Most Populous Cities and Towns

Largest cities or towns in Maine 2020 U.S. Census populations
Rank	Name	Pop.
1	Portland	68,408
2	Lewiston	37,121
3	Bangor	31,753
4	South Portland	26,498
5	Auburn	24,061
6	Biddeford	22,552
7	Scarborough	22,135
8	Sanford	21,982
9	Brunswick	21,756
10	Westbrook	20,400

Many cities and towns in Maine form larger population groups. For example, Portland, South Portland, and Westbrook are all separate towns but are part of a larger metro area.

Education in Maine

The University of Maine is the state's only research university.

Maine has 30 colleges and universities. The University of Maine is the oldest and largest. It is located in Orono and is the main campus of the state university system. There are also University of Maine campuses in Augusta, Farmington, Fort Kent, Machias, and Presque Isle.

Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin Colleges are highly ranked liberal arts schools.

Bowdoin College in Brunswick was founded in 1794, making it the oldest college in Maine. Colby College in Waterville (founded 1813) and Bates College in Lewiston (founded 1855) are also very old. These three colleges are known as the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin Consortium. They are ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in the U.S.

Maine also has other colleges like the Maine Maritime Academy and Unity College. There is one medical school and one law school. The Maine Community College System offers associate degrees and training for jobs.

Maine also has vocational schools. These schools teach trades like welding, construction, and vehicle repair to students.

Culture of Maine

Agriculture and Food

Before it became a state, Maine was a center for farming. The Wabanaki nations grew large crops of corn and other foods in southern Maine.

In the 1800s, Maine was known for grain production. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in locally grown grains. The Kneading Conference was started in 2007. In 2012, the Maine Grains mill opened in Skowhegan. This has led to new bakeries and other businesses.

Maine has many vegetable farms and small, diverse farms. The book "Living the Good Life" by Helen and Scott Nearing inspired many young people to move to Maine in the 1960s and 70s. They started small farms and homesteads.

Maine is home to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. In 2019, Maine had 535 certified organic farms.

Maine is also known for its food and restaurant scene. Portland was named Bon Appetit magazine's Restaurant City of the Year in 2018. Maine food uses many ingredients from Wabanaki cuisine. These include corn, beans, squash, wild blueberries, maple syrup, fish, and seafood.

Baked beans are a popular dish in Maine. They are often served at community suppers. Maine baked beans use local bean varieties like Marafax and yellow-eye beans.

Festivals and Events

Maine has many annual fairs and festivals. These include La Kermesse, which celebrates the state's French and French Canadian heritage. Other popular events are the Fryeburg Fair, the Cumberland Fair, and the Common Ground Country Fair. There are also many food festivals in Portland.

Sports Teams

College hockey being played at the Cross Insurance Arena.

Professional Teams

Maine Celtics, basketball (NBA G League)
Portland Sea Dogs, minor league baseball
Maine Mariners, ice hockey

Upcoming Teams

Portland Hearts of Pine, soccer (USL League One), starting in 2025

College Sports

Maine Black Bears (NCAA)
Husson University (NCAA)
York County Community College (USCAA)
University of Maine at Augusta (USCAA)

Unique Maine Words

Maine has some special words and phrases.

"From away" - This means someone who is not originally from Maine.
"Upta camp" - This means going to a more remote, rustic place, often a cabin.
"Ayuh" - This is an affirmative response, meaning "Yes."

People from Maine

In Spanish: Maine para niños

People who live in Maine are often called Mainers. The term "Downeaster" might be used for people living on the northeast coast. Some people use the term "Mainiac" with pride, even though some consider it a bit silly.

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Maine facts for kids

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