MAINE

Maine, known for its lobster and rugged, picturesque coastline, is the northernmost state in the New England region of the United States. The original inhabitants of Maine were Algonquin Indians, and the first European settlers were the French. Some English settlers moved in after Maine became part of the Massachussetts Bay Colony, and, seemingly, not many other people have moved there since. With only about 1.3 million residents, Maine ranks 40^th in terms of population.

What Maine lacks in population it makes up in pine trees. It’s nickname is "The Pine Tree State", and over 90% of its land is covered in pristine pine forests. Since the interior is so rugged some parts of it don’t even have political divisions like counties or townships, and most of the population resides on the coast, which is itself known for its severity. The coast is littered with jagged rocks and boulders jutting into the cold North Atlantic, and hundreds of tiny bays and inlets make for a sawtooth coastline. Chains of rocky islands form a stern barricade against the harshest of moods of the big, blue sea. Between rough terrain and the extreme weather, residents of Maine have to be a hearty bunch.

Those who can endure the cold, wet winters are rewarded with cool, beautiful summers. Winter temperatures average in the 40s and bring snow, sleet and freezing fog, but the summer temperatures are in the high 70s and low 80s. The days are sunny and bright. The Appalachian Mountains terminate in Maine in a series gentle slopes, just high and steep enough for skiing in the winter or rigorous hiking in the summer. Unique winter activities include celebrating Christmas by the Sea, where Santa arrives by lobster fishing boat and enjoying the Shaker Christmas Fair in New Gloucester, the only active Shaker community in the United States. In the summer, residents explore their rich cultural heritage through festivals celebrating the state’s Native American and Acadian (French) roots.

Maine’s beautiful landscapes and ideal summer temperatures bring such a flood of tourists to the state that tourism is one of the major engines of Maine’s economy. Maine has a small agricultural sector, and even that is shrinking with the decline of the small-scale lobster fishing that was once a mainstay of the state’s economy. Maine’s economy is still somewhat depdendent on the sea, though. Naval shipbuilding plays a large part in the economy, and the port of Augusta has surpassed Boston in terms of tonnage because of its ability to handle large tankers. Because of its proximity to Canada, Augusta is a major port of entry for both the U.S. and its northern neighbor, and was the only western port open to Canada during the winter until the mid-20^th century. Education also plays a small role in Maine’s economy. Bates, Bowdoin and Colby Colleges (private, elite, liberal arts colleges) are all located in the state.