Maine is located in the northeast of the USA near the border with Canada, making it the northernmost state of the USA. This federal state borders the Canadian provinces of Québec and New Brunswick and the American state of New Hampshire. In the south, the shores of the state of Maine are washed by the Atlantic Ocean.
Maine covers an area of 86,542 km² and has a population of around 1.3 million. Almost 97% of the population is white, the remaining 3% is divided between blacks, Asians and Indians. Approximately 82% of the population is Christian, Protestants and Roman Catholics predominate. Around 17% of the population has no religion.
- LIUXERS: Offers a list of schools with federal school code in Maine, including contact information, graduation rate, retention rate and transfer rate for each college located within Maine.
The first European visitors to Maine were probably the Greenlandic Vikings as early as the 10th century. Since the 16th century, Maine has been the subject of disputes between France and England. In addition, the first settlers encountered significant resistance from the original Penobskot and Passamaquoddy Indian tribes. The territory was finally conquered by the British in 1763, but the entire area fell under the state of Massachusetts until the war in 1812. But a few years later, Maine became a free state thanks to the Missouri Compromise.
Maine’s landscape is mostly forested with a rugged, rocky coastline. Here we find untouched nature, which has become a refuge for many species of animals, such as the raccoon cat, which has gradually spread throughout the world. Interesting locations include, for example, Mount Katahdin, 1,606 meters above sea level, or Moosehead Lake. The major rivers Androscoggin River, Kennebec River, Penobscot River and St. John River. These natural attractions significantly contribute to the development of tourism, which has thus become an important sector of the economy.
The stony soil is not suitable for cultivation, and therefore agriculture is not very successful here. The main crop grown here is potatoes. From the 19th century, industry began to develop in Maine. The land provided abundant supplies of wood, stone and fish as a basis for the development of industry. Even within New England, Maine is not a very important state economically. Augusta became the capital, but the city of Portland is much larger.
Augusta
According to COUNTRYAAH, Augusta is the capital of the US state of Maine, located in the north of the country on the Kennebec River. It is the northeasternmost state capital of the continental United States. The city is not very big, about 20 thousand inhabitants live on an area of 150.9 km2. The town is the birthplace of Maine State Senator Olympia Snowe and Governor Joseph Williams.
The state of Maine belongs to New England and this territory was settled as one of the first. The first Europeans came here as early as 1629, they were British colonists from Plymouth, who established a trading settlement on the Kennebec River. The original Native American name of the area was Cushnoc. At first, the place became a center of fur traders, but later – in 1661, this profitable trade had to be suspended due to continuous Indian raids, which caused a decrease in sales. For the next 75 years, the landscape remained empty and displaced.
The area then also played a significant role during the Indian uprisings against the settlers, when the fort of the British settlers was located here. From 1771 the settlement named Cushnoc was associated with various surrounding settlements. Over time, it gradually changed its name, and in 1797 it acquired the name Augusta, which it bears to this day. The town was thus named after Augusta Dearborn, daughter of local Revolutionary War veteran Henry Dearborn.
In 1799, Augusta was already the administrative center of the newly formed Kennebeck District. In 1827, it finally became the capital of the state of Maine, which was founded only 7 years earlier. Augusta has had city status since 1849. In 1965, the state university University of Maine at Augusta was founded in Augusta. The National House of the State of Maine is also an interesting historical monument.
The city definitely has a lot to offer visitors, for example the Pine Tree State Arboretum is located here with an area of over 90.6 hectares. History lovers will surely be delighted by the large state museum, which was built with real precision. Here you will find weaving looms, shoemakers, armorers’ workshops, cars, fishing tackle and much more. There is also an exhibition with local fauna and flora. The original inhabitants of this area also have their part reserved. Free entry.
Portland
Portland is the largest city in the US state of Maine and also the county seat of Cumberland County. The city’s population is estimated at 64,000, but the entire metropolitan area, including South Portland and Biddeford, has over half a million inhabitants. Portland is the economic and cultural center of the area.
A picturesque landscape stretches out around the city, which consists of smaller deciduous forests and, above all, huge fields with corn and grain. The original inhabitants, Indian tribes called this area Machigone. The first European settler was the English sea captain Christopher Levett, who arrived here in 1623. He was followed in 1630 by the colonist John Winthrop. The people settled here permanently three years later, establishing a fishing and trading village called Casco. In 1658 the village changed its name to Falmouth. It was finally destroyed by the Indians in 1676 during King Philip’s wars. It was then rebuilt, but it did not last long and was destroyed again in 1690.
Nowadays, Portland is an attractive city full of monuments. Tourists are particularly attracted to the city by its old historic district, which is located along Portland Harbor, at the mouth of the Fore River, in the Casco Bay area. Not far from Cape Elizabeth is the Portland Head Light, which is also an interesting tourist attraction. History and art lovers will be delighted to visit the Portland Museum of Art, Maine Historical Society & Museum, Maine College of Art or the Children’s Museum of Maine. However, there are many more museums and galleries in the city.
There are a large number of parks around the city, which are a place of rest and relaxation for local residents. These are, for example, the historic parks Riverton Park, Lincoln Park, Deering Oaks Park, but also pleasant walks along Baxter Boulevard, Back Cove, Eastern Promenade or Western Promenade. Natural parks include Payson Park, Post Office Park, Baxter Woods or Fore River Sanctuary. In and around Portland, you’ll also find extensive networks of well-maintained walking and biking trails.
