Maine is well known for its ocean scenery,
with almost 3500 miles (5600 km) of shoreline,
featuring the largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere.
The rugged beauty of Maine's coast is
decorated with lighthouses,
beaches, fishing villages, jagged rocks and cliffs, plus
thousands of offshore islands, bays and inlets.
Just inland, by contrast, are lakes, rivers, forests, and mountains.
It is called the 'Pine Tree State' because
90% of its land is forested.
In forested areas of the interior there is much
uninhabited land, some of which does not have formal
political units.
Maine has the distinction of being the
only state to border just one other state;
New Hampshire to the west.
To the south and east is the Atlantic Ocean and to the north
and northeast is New Brunswick, Canada.
Quebec is to the northwest.
Maine has an estimated population of about 1.5 million people,
making it the most sparsely populated state east of the Mississippi River..
The history of the area now known as the State of Maine spans thousands of years,
from the earliest human settlements, to European
colonization, to its current status
as part of the United States of America.
The first culture known to inhabit this region was the
'Red Paint People', from roughly 3000~1000 BC.
They were followed by the Susquehana culture.
The first European settlement was established in 1604.
At that time, th inhabitants of the territory were
Algonquian~speaking Wabanaki peoples.
The French named the entire area Acadia,
including the portion that later became the State of Maine.
Maine was fought over by the French
and English during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Maine gained its statehood in 1820
as the result of the 'Missouri Compromise'.
WEATHER
Maine generally experiences warm,
though not hot, humid summers.
Highs are usually 75~80°F (24~27°C)
throughout the state in July,
with overnight lows in the high 50s°F (15°C).
Winters are cold and snowy throughout the state,
and are especially severe in the northern parts.
Coastal areas are moderated somewhat by the Atlantic Ocean.
January temperatures range from highs near 32°F (0°C) on the
southern coast to overnight lows below 0°F (-18°C)
in the far north.
Maine has fewer days of thunderstorms than any other
state east of the Rockies, averaging
less than 20 per year.
Tornadoes are rare, averaging
less than two per year, mostly occurring in the southern
part of the state.
ECONOMY
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce
speaks out before state policymakers on behalf of
every business in the state.
Before they speak, they consult with their members
on every major public policy issue facing Maine's
business community.
Public policy committees within the Chamber make sure
that when the Chamber speaks,
it accurately reflects the attitudes and values of
the vast majority of Maine business people
across the state.
Maine's greatest economic strengths are its forests and waters,
yielding wood products, water power, fisheries, and ocean commerce.
Industrial products consist chiefly of paper, wood,
electronic equipment, leather, food,
textiles, and bio~technology.
The largest industry by far is paper manufacturing,
for which both forests and water power are essential.
Agricultural outputs include poultry, eggs, dairy products,
cattle, wild blueberries, apples, potatos,
maple syrup and maple sugar.
It is America's largest blueberry growing states,
raising 90% of the low~bush blueberries in North America.
Tourism and outdoor recreation play a major and increasingly
important role in Maine's economy.
The state is a popular destination for sport hunting & fishing,
snowmobiling, skiing, boating, camping & hiking.
Commercial fishing
maintains a presence, especially lobstering.
Naval shipbuilding and construction also remain important.
Maine ports play a key role in national transportation.
Maine's largest city of Portland has New England's
busiest port by tonnage, due to its ability to handle large tankers.
SCHOOLS
The Maine State Legislature
has established high learning standards for all
Maine students educated at public expense.
Standards in career preparation, English language arts,
health and physical education, mathematics,
modern and classical languages, science and technology,
social studies, and visual and performing arts
identify the knowledge and skills essential to
prepare Maine students for work, for higher education,
for citizenship, and for personal fulfillment.
The achievement of students in mathematics, science, and
reading puts Maine at the top
of the nation.
The state is committed to continuous improvement,
and has chosen to set high expectations for its
public school system, accompanied by a comprehensive
system of assessment.
Maine is blessed by a rich and diverse
community of higher learning options.
Maine has no department or commission of higher education
or post-secondary education.
The Maine Department of Education has been
configured to serve as a pre~kindergarten through grade 16
agency concerned with the progression of learning from
the earliest years to the post~graduate experience.
Maine’s higher education institutions are
governed by their own oversight boards.
State oversight
of the activities of public and private schools, colleges,
and universities primarily centers upon degree~granting
authorizations, educator program approvals
and renewals, and private~for~profit
school licenses.
For more details please contact the
Maine Department of Education.
HOSPITALITY
Winter is the season when Maine truly sparkles.
Whether you take in the beauty from the back of a horse~drawn
sleigh or set out on snowshoes, there are many ways to enjoy
the winter wonderland.
Ski and ride on some of the
best slopes in the East. Explore the beautiful countryside
on pristine cross~country and snowmobile trails.
The nice thing about Maine accommodations is that they are as
varied as the Maine landscape. Consider a bed and breakfast atop
a bluff overlooking one of Maine’s many quiet coves,
or an inn nestled among our rolling hills and scenic mountains.
The family will love Maine’s friendly
motels, cottages and camps just steps away
from sandy beaches in the summer and miles of snowmobile
trails in the winter.
If camping is your preference,
you’ll find campgrounds along the coast or in the woods.
From parking your RV or pitching your tent,
you’re sure to find a campground to
suit your needs.
Experience the Maine wilderness
while you enjoy the comforts of cozy cabins or delicious
home~cooked meals in luxury lodges.
For more details please contact
Maine State Tourism.
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