 Maine
Information
Capital
City: Augusta
Economy: Manufacturing, agriculture, fishing
and timber.
Population: 1,274,923
Time Zone: 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean
Time (-5 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed April-October.
Maine's Flag:
The state coat of arms is placed on a blue field. In the center
of the shield a moose rests under a tall pine tree. A farmer and
seaman represents the work that people did in early times. The North
Star represents the state motto: "Dirigo". ( "I Direct"
)
History of Maine:
John Cabot and his son, Sebastian, are believed to have visited
the Maine coast in 1498. However, the first permanent English settlements
were not established until more than a century later, in 1623. The
first naval action of the Revolutionary War occurred in 1775 when
colonials captured the British sloop Margaretta off Machias on the
Maine coast. In that same year, the British burned Falmouth (now
Portland). Long governed by Massachusetts, Maine became the 23rd
state as part of the Missouri Compromise in 1820. Maine produces
98% of the nation's low-bush blueberries. Farm income is also derived
from apples, potatoes, dairy products, and vegetables, with poultry
and eggs the largest items. The state is one of the world's largest
pulp-paper producers. It ranks second in boot-and-shoe manufacturing.
With almost 89% of its area forested, Maine turns out wood products
from boats to toothpicks. Maine leads the world in the production
of the familiar flat tins of sardines, producing more than 75 million
of them annually. Lobstermen normally catch 51% of the nation's
total of lobsters. The 1995 catch was 36.5 million pounds, the second-largest
lobster catch in history. A scenic seacoast, beaches, lakes, mountains,
and resorts make Maine a popular vacationland. There are more than
2,500 lakes and 5,000 streams, plus 26 state parks to attract hunters,
fishermen, skiers, and campers. Major points of interest are Bar
Harbor, Allagash National Wilderness Waterway, the Wadsworth-Longfellow
House in Portland, Roosevelt Campobello International Park, and
the St. Croix Island National Monument.
Other Maine Links:
Maine Chamber and Business
Alliance
Maine Municipal Association
Maine Department
of Education
Maine Office of Tourism
Maine Tourism Association
Maine State Library |
