The land of frozen ground holds a rugged, forested secret
In short: Spanning nearly half of New England's total area, Maine is a landscape of extremes. From the highest peak of Mount Katahdin to a coastline defined by some of the strongest tides in the world, this sparsely populated state balances deep environmental preservation against the pressures of modern economic growth.
Maine is the largest of the six New England states by area, covering 35,380 square miles. Its geography is defined by a diverse landscape, including the Appalachian mountain chain, which culminates in the state's highest point, Mount Katahdin, at 5,268 feet. The coastline, stretching 3,500 miles including bays and estuaries, is characterized by rocky promontories and approximately 1,200 islands. These coastal features were shaped by post-Ice Age sea-level rises, leaving behind a series of peninsulas, fjords, and coves.
The state's ecology is heavily dominated by forest, with more than four-fifths of its land area under tree cover. This abundance of nature is matched by its water resources; Maine contains about 2,500 lakes and ponds, with Moosehead Lake serving as the largest at 116 square miles. The climate varies by region, with mean annual temperatures ranging from 37 to 39 °F in the north to 43 to 45 °F in the southern interior and central regions. In the north, annual snowfall can exceed 100 inches.
Historically, the region was inhabited by Algonquian-speaking peoples who called it the "Land of the Frozen Ground." The English name "Maine" is subject to two theories: it may refer to the former French province of Maine, or it may denote the "mainland" in contrast to the coastal islands. Admitted to the Union as the 23th state on March 15, 1820, Maine has evolved from a traditional economy of paper manufacturing, fishing, and forestry toward a service-dependent economy, often facing the tension between preserving its natural beauty and pursuing economic expansion.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Maine | Geography, History, Facts, Map, & Points of Interest | Britannica
- Also: Maine (province)
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