10

MAINE the pine tree state

The Kennebec, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot werehunting, farming, and fishing in the region when the firstwaves of European settlers arrived in the 1620s.The statesname came either from a French province or because earlyEuropean settlers took to calling it the mainland todistinguish it from its many coastal islands.

British and French colonists jockeyed for control ofthe region for more than a century.A young UnitedStates finally gained control of Maine at the end ofthe American Revolution, but both borderconflicts with Canada and the issue of statehoodremained contentious issues, partially becauseother states, including Massachusetts, wanted toadd Maines land to their own.

Maine became a state 1820, and its borderwith Canada was fixed in 1842.The statesnatural resources led to strong fishing,shipbuilding, and timber industries that drewsettlers throughout the mid-1800s; theseindustries remain important to the economy.Todays shipbuilding industry has modernizedto include nuclear-powered submarines.

Maine enjoys a moderate summer climatewith an average temperature of 70F (21C).With an average winter temperature of 22F (-5.6C) and between 60 and 90 inches(152 and 229 cm) of snow everyyear, this mountainous state is apopular destination for skiingand other winter sports.

MAJOR MOOSEMaine is the most heavily

forested state in the nation:17 million acres (6.9 million

hectares) of forest cover 90percent of the state.This makes

for abundant and varied wildlife,including beavers, bobcats, coyotes, and

porcupine. Maine is home to one of the nations largest moose populations.An

estimated 29,000 moose are foundprimarily in the states north.They

feast on the states many trees as well as aquatic plants found in

Maines 6,000 lakes and ponds.

KING PHILIPS WARAs British and colonial settlers encroached on American Indian lands, the

Wampanoags leader, King Phillip (known also as Metacom), organized tribalresistance throughout New England. In the summer of 1675, battles broke outthat led to the loss of more than 3,500 lives. Most Indians were forced to give

up their lands to white settlers and relocate farther north or west.

DID YOU KNOW?

Maine is the only U.S. state with a

one-syllable name.

STATE FACTS

STATE TREEEastern White Pine

CAPITALAugusta

POPULATION1,274,923 (2000)

STATEHOODMarch 15, 1820

Rank: 23rd

LARGEST CITIESPortland (64,249)Lewiston (35,690)Bangor (31,473)

LAND AREA30,862 sq. mi.

(79,933 sq. km.)

STATE FLOWERWhite Pine Cone

and Tassel

STATE BIRDChickadee

M A I N E

AUGUSTA

Portland

Lewiston

Bangor

Bath

CA

NA

DA

NEW

HA

MP

SHIR

E

Sanford Gulf of

Maine

WH

ITE

MO

UN

TAIN

S

Rockland

Mt. Katahdin

MooseheadLake

(c) 2011 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.

11

LOBSTER FISHINGFifty-seven million pounds (25,855,030 kg) of

lobster were harvested in Maine in 2000,making this clawed crustacean an importantpart of the states economy and culture.The

state also has significant natural resources thatmake outdoor recreation possible in all

seasons.This has made the tourism industryimportant to Maines economy.Visitors to

Maines many southern coastal resorts enjoysandy beaches and blue sea for sunning,

swimming, sailing, and fishing.

WINDY PEAKSAt 5,268 feet (1,606 m), Mt.Katahdin is Maines highestpoint and the northern terminusof the Appalachian NationalScenic Trail, a 2,158-mile (3,473km) hiking path through 14 states.Mount Katahdin is part of theWhite Mountains, which extendinto western and central Maineas well as New Hampshire.Northern and eastern Maineboast river valleys, mountains, androlling plateaus. More than 1,200islands are found off of Mainesrugged Atlantic coastline. Many, likeVinalhaven Island, support thrivingyear-round and summer humanpopulations while others cansupport only roosting birds.

THE FAR EASTJutting out of thefrigid waters of theNorth Atlantic justoffshore from thehistoric West QuoddyHead lighthouse is SailRock, considered theeasternmost point in theUnited States.The lighthouse wasfirst built by order of President ThomasJefferson in 1808 to light the way for sailors navigating Maines rocky coastline.

WEDDING CAKEThe George W. Bourne House, better

known as the Wedding Cake House, islocated in the picturesque village and

summer resort of Kennebunkport. Originallybuilt in 1826 as a simple brick home, its

shipbuilder owner later added the fancifulgingerbread and turrets that have made the

building a must-see for tourists.

KING OF HORROR

STEPHEN KING

Portland-bornauthor StephenKing first rose to famein 1974 with thepublication of his firstnovel, Carrie. King hassince become a best-selling and belovedauthor who helpedreshape and revive thehorror genre.Thisprolific author, knownfor his compellingstorytelling, writes ina wide range ofgenreshorror,science fiction, andfantasyand is a leader in innovativepublishing formats, including e-books andserials. Most of his novels and short storiestake place in New England.

King intends to retirefrom publishing hiswriting after his next

few novels arepublished.

LOBSTERFESTThe lobster capital of the world,Rockland, hosts an annual festival

celebrating Maines maritime heritage.It includes live entertainment; theCrate Race, in which participants

try to cross the harbor withoutfalling into the water; and, ofcourse, the eating of tons of

lobster.

Calais

CA

NA

DA

Milbridge

(c) 2011 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.