Maine

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forests (mainly pine and spruce). In the coastal regions the climate is cool temperate, under strong maritime influence; further west the maritime influence declines.

History The territory that is now Maine was occupied by Indians of the Algonkian language family when the first Europeans arrived in 1498-9. In the 17th c. French settlers established themselves in the area, later followed by British settlers. In 1691 Maine became part of Massachusetts. Thereafter the fur trade, logging, shipbuilding and fishing brought it prosperity. On March 15th 1820 Maine was separated from Massa-chusetts and became the 23th state of the Union.

Economy Thanks to the state's wealth of forests the woodworking and papermaking industries are major elements in its economy. The most important product of the fisheries, now in decline, is lobsters. The predominant agricultural crop is potatoes, followed by other vegetables and poultry feed; dairy farming is also important. Other industries are leather goods, textiles and foodstuffs. Tourism is making a steadily increasing contribution to the economy.