Capital:
Augusta
Governor: Angus S. King, Jr., I (to Jan. 2003)
Senators: Susan Collins, R (to Jan. 2003); Olympia J. Snowe,
R (to Jan. 2007)
Secy.
of State: Dan A. Gwadosky, D (to Jan. 2003)
Treasurer: Dale McCormick (to Jan. 2003)
Auditor: Gail M. Chase (to Jan. 2005)
Atty.
General: G. Steven Rowe (to Jan. 2003)
Entered
Union (rank): March 15, 1820 (23)
Present
constitution adopted: 1820
Motto:
Dirigo (I lead)
State Symbols:
|
flower
|
white pine cone and tassel (1895) |
|
tree
|
white pine tree (1945) |
|
bird
|
chickadee (1927) |
|
fish
|
landlocked salmon (1969) |
|
mineral
|
tourmaline (1971) |
|
song
|
"State of Maine Song" (1937) |
|
animal
|
moose (1979) |
|
cat
|
Maine coon cat (1985) |
|
fossil |
pertica quadrifaria (1985) |
|
insect
|
honeybee (1975) |
|
|
John Cabot
and his son, Sebastian, are believed to have visited the Maine
coast in 1498. However, the first permanent English settlements
were not established until more than a century later, in 1623.
The first
naval action of the Revolutionary War occurred in 1775 when
colonials captured the British sloop Margaretta off Machias on
the Maine coast. In that same year, the British burned Falmouth
(now Portland).
Long
governed by Massachusetts, Maine became the 23rd state as part
of the Missouri Compromise in 1820.
Maine
produces 98% of the nation's low-bush blueberries. Farm income
is also derived from apples, potatoes, dairy products, and
vegetables, with poultry and eggs the largest selling items.
The state
is one of the world's largest pulp-paper producers. With almost
89% of its area forested, Maine turns out wood products from
boats to toothpicks.
Maine
leads the world in the production of the familiar flat tins of
sardines, producing more than 75 million of them annually.
Lobstermen normally catch 50% of the nation's total of lobsters.
The 1996 catch was 16,435 metric tons, the second-largest
lobster catch in history.
A scenic
seacoast, beaches, lakes, mountains, and resorts make Maine a
popular vacationland. There are more than 2,500 lakes and 5,000
streams, plus 26 state parks to attract hunters, fishermen,
skiers, and campers.
Major
points of interest are Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park,
Allagash National Wilderness Waterway, the Wadsworth-Longfellow
House in Portland, Roosevelt Campobello International Park, and
the St. Croix Island National Monument.
Nickname: Pine Tree State
Origin of name:
First used to distinguish the mainland
from the offshore islands. It has been considered a compliment
to Henrietta Maria, queen of Charles I of England. She was said
to have owned the province of Mayne in France.
10 largest cities (1999 est.):
Portland, 61,925; Lewiston, 36,193; Bangor, 32,662; South
Portland, 23,923; Auburn, 22,467; Biddeford, 21,277; Augusta,
19,722; Westbrook, 16,824; Saco, 16,360; Waterville, 16,204
Largest town (1990 census):
Brunswick, 20,906
Land area:
30,865 sq mi. (79,939 sq km)
Geographic center: In
Piscataquis Co., 18 mi. N of Dover-Foxcroft
Number of counties: 16
Largest county by population and area:
Cumberland, 256,437 (1999 est.); Aroostook, 6,672 sq mi.
State forests: 1 (21,000 ac.)
State parks:
26 (247,627 ac.)
State historic sites:
18 (403 ac.)
Residents: Mainer
1999 resident population est.:
1,253,040 |
