Maine Highlands facts for kids
The Maine Highlands is a special name for a large area in the middle of Maine. It's used by people who want to tell visitors about this beautiful part of the state. This region includes two main areas: Piscataquis County and Penobscot County. Before the late 1990s, this area was known as the Penquis region. The name was changed to "Maine Highlands" to help people understand it's a great place for tourists to visit.
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A Look Back: The Highlands' History
For a long time, from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, the name "Maine Highlands" meant something a bit different. It referred to the part of the Appalachian Mountains that runs through Maine.
Border Troubles and the Aroostook War
Way back in the late 1700s and early 1800s, there was a big problem. The exact border between the United States and Canada wasn't clear in this mountainous area. This unclear border, especially in eastern Maine, caused some serious arguments.
The "War" That Wasn't Quite a War
These arguments eventually led to something called the Aroostook War. It's a very interesting part of history because it was the only time a U.S. state ever declared war on another country! Luckily, no actual battles were fought. It was more like a tense standoff that was eventually settled peacefully. The term "Maine Highlands" was still used to describe this border mountain region until at least 1916.
Nature and Borders Today
The Maine Highlands are part of a larger natural area called the New England–Acadian forests ecoregion. An ecoregion is a big area of land or water that has its own special plants, animals, and climate. This means the Highlands are home to many unique trees and wildlife.
Crossing the Border
Because the Maine Highlands are so close to Canada, there are four special places where people can cross the Canada–United States border. These are called border crossing stations. They help people travel safely and legally between the two countries.
