Maine

Maine (State)

Area: 33,215 sq. mi.

Population: 1,243,000

Capital: Augusta

Popular name: Pine Tree State

Maine, the largest and most thinly populated of the New England states, lies in the extreme north-east of the United States, on the frontier with Canada. It consists of three main geographical regions. The much indented Atlantic coast with its innumerable offshore islands runs from south to north-east for a distance of more than 300 mi. To the west of this coastal strip, some 60 mi. across, the ground rises gradually into a hilly upland region. Northern Maine is a region of lakes and morainic hills; to the west the White Mountains rise to 5270 ft. More than four-fifths of the state is covered with 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.