Maine, the largest of the six New England states, is located in the northeastern corner of the country. Maine became the 23rd state on March 15, 1820, as part of the Missouri Compromise, which allowed Missouri to join the union as a slave state and Maine as a free state.
Maine is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, and by New Hampshire. Known for its rocky coastline, Maine is the leading US producer of lobsters and blueberries.
Geography
Maine is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by New Hampshire to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the south and east, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick to the north. Maine is known for its rocky coastline, picturesque lighthouses, rugged mountains, and vast forests.
Maine is divided into two distinct geographical regions: coastal Maine and inland Maine. Coastal Maine consists of approximately 3,500 miles of shoreline along its Atlantic coastline. This area includes a number of islands, estuaries, bays, peninsulas, estuaries and barrier beaches. The most well-known towns along this stretch are Portland, Bar Harbor and Boothbay Harbor.
Inland Maine consists mostly of forests and mountains with rolling hills in between. The highest peak in Maine is Mount Katahdin at 5267 feet (1606m). This mountain is located within Baxter State Park which also contains over 200 miles (322km) of hiking trails. Other popular outdoor activities here include camping, canoeing and kayaking on one of its many lakes and rivers such as Moosehead Lake or Sebago Lake.
The climate in Maine ranges from humid continental in the northern part of the state to humid subtropical in southern coastal areas. Summers are generally warm with temperatures reaching up to 80°F (27°C) while winters typically drop below freezing with occasional snowfall throughout the season.
Maine has a diverse population made up of people from all walks of life including Native Americans who have lived here for thousands of years as well as immigrants from Europe who came later on during colonial times when lumbering was a major industry here. Today there are still many small fishing villages along its coast that offer visitors an opportunity to experience traditional lifestyles while enjoying some delicious seafood dishes made with local ingredients like lobster or clams.
Cities in Maine
Below are the top 15 cities by population in Maine. For all cities and towns in the state, please see Maine cities list.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland | 68,063 |
| 2 | Lewiston | 36,615 |
| 3 | Bangor | 31,920 |
| 4 | South Portland | 26,428 |
| 5 | Auburn | 23,790 |
| 6 | Biddeford | 22,331 |
| 7 | Scarborough | 21,857 |
| 8 | Sanford | 21,812 |
| 9 | Brunswick | 21,589 |
| 10 | Saco | 20,203 |
| 11 | Westbrook | 20,074 |
| 12 | Augusta | 18,895 |
| 13 | Windham | 18,343 |
| 14 | Gorham | 18,114 |
| 15 | Waterville | 15,872 |
Counties in Maine
The State of Maine consists of 16 counties. They are:
- Androscoggin County, Maine
- Aroostook County, Maine
- Cumberland County, Maine
- Franklin County, Maine
- Hancock County, Maine
- Kennebec County, Maine
- Knox County, Maine
- Lincoln County, Maine
- Oxford County, Maine
- Penobscot County, Maine
- Piscataquis County, Maine
- Sagadahoc County, Maine
- Somerset County, Maine
- Waldo County, Maine
- Washington County, Maine
- York County, Maine
