100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Maine (ME) sits in the northeastern United States on the North Atlantic coast near the Canadian border, and it is the easternmost of the U.S. States. Forestry and fishing are important to Maine’s economy, and lobster is a favorite product. The state capital is Augusta, while the largest city is Portland. Popular tourist attractions include Acadia National Park and the historic Portland Head Light from 1791.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Maine Abbreviation ME Capital Augusta Largest city Portland (Population: 69 104) Current time 13:59 Time zone EST (UTC-5), the state observes EDT (UTC-4) daylight saving time Population 1,363,177 (#42 most populous US state) Area 35,385 sqmi (#39 largest US state) Admitted to the Union March 15, 1820 (#23 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Maine
The capital of the state of Maine is Augusta, which developed after 1754 on the foundations of a fortified blockhouse from the French and Indian War. It was named after Augusta Dearborn, the daughter of politician and Secretary of War Henry Dearborn. Augusta officially became the capital in 1832.
🏙️ Largest City in Maine
The largest city in Maine is Portland, which had 69,104 residents in 2023. Second is Lewiston with a population of 38,404, and third is Bangor with 31,628 residents.
🕒 Time in Maine
The current time in Maine is 13:59. The entire state uses Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) and switches to daylight saving time from March through November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Maine
Based on 2023 data, Maine reported 1,363,177 residents, which makes it the 42nd most populous U.S. state.
📍 Area of Maine
Maine has a total area of 35,385 sqmi, of which 30,890 sqmi is land and 4,527 sqmi is water. Maine is the 39th largest U.S. state.
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Fun Facts About the State of Maine
🧩 Which States Border Maine
Maine borders only one U.S. state, which is New Hampshire. It also shares borders with the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec, and to the south and east it has a 228 mi Atlantic coastline.
📅 Date of Maine Statehood
Maine was admitted to the Union on March 15, 1820 as the 23rd state, after separating from Massachusetts.
📛 Maine State Nickname
Because of its many pine trees, Maine is nicknamed “The Pine Tree State.” A second nickname, used for example on license plates, is “Vacationland,” a play on words that highlights Maine as a popular summer vacation destination.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Maine
The highest mountain in Maine is Mount Katahdin at 5,270 ft in Baxter State Park. The name Katahdin comes from the language of the Penobscot people and translates as “Great Mountain.”
🏞️ Rivers in Maine
The longest river flowing through the state is the Saint John River with a total length of 418 mi. It is followed by the Androscoggin River (178 mi), the Kennebec River (168 mi), the Saco River (136 mi), and the West Branch Penobscot River (117 mi).
🎓 Universities in Maine
The largest university in the state is the private University of New England, founded in 1978, with about 13,500 students. Second is the University of Maine with approximately 13,000 students, and third is the University of Southern Maine with more than 10,000 enrolled students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Maine
Maine is assigned the ZIP code range 039xx–049xx. You can search by address on the USPS website. Detailed information about how they work can be found in the article ZIP Codes in the USA.
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Weather in Maine
The best time to visit Maine is from July to September when temperatures are pleasant and the weather is ideal for outdoor activities.
Spring in Maine starts slowly, and March temperatures in Portland usually range between 25 °F and 43 °F. In April and May, daytime highs warm to 45 °F to 63 °F, although nights remain near freezing. Snowmelt in spring can swell rivers and cause flooding in some areas. Snow lingers longer in northern Maine. Rain is common in spring, with April the wettest month.
Summer in Maine is short and rather cool. Temperatures in June and July usually range only between 64 °F and 79 °F. Humidity is lower than in other states on the East Coast, which makes summer more comfortable. Coastal areas such as Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park tend to be cooler. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the summer and is sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms.
Fall in Maine begins with relatively pleasant weather. In September, temperatures usually stay between 50 °F and 68 °F. In October and November they drop quickly to 30 °F to 48 °F, and rainfall is generally light. The first snow can appear in November in the north and the interior.
Winter in Maine is long and cold. In Portland, temperatures from December through January stay between 14 °F and 32 °F. It is even colder in the north, and the mountains get heavy snow. Travel can be complicated by strong snowstorms that cause road closures.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Maine
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What to See in Maine
1️⃣ Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is among the most visited parks in the United States, and it lies entirely on Mount Desert Island on the Atlantic coast. Lighthouses are one of the park’s symbols, and the photogenic Bass Harbor Head Light Station has been guiding ships into the harbor since 1858. Several hiking and cycling trails run through the park, combining mountains, forests, and ocean shoreline.
2️⃣ Portland Head Light
Portland Head Light is the oldest lighthouse in the state of Maine. It was built in 1791 and, interestingly, it still operates today. The lighthouse stands on the rocky coast of Cape Elizabeth with beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and is easy to reach by car.
Inside the former keeper’s house you will find a small museum that documents the site’s history. Next to the lighthouse is Fort Williams Park, which provides a nice setting for a picnic.
3️⃣ Old Port District in Portland
The Old Port District is a historic quarter of Portland shaped by its working waterfront. Brick buildings and cobblestone streets are typical here, and after dark the area turns into a hub of nightlife. Festivals, markets, and other cultural events take place in summer. Restaurants are a big draw in the Old Port, thanks to fresh seafood, especially the popular lobster rolls.
4️⃣ Baxter State Park
Baxter State Park offers excellent conditions for hiking, camping, and fishing in beautiful, unspoiled wilderness. The state’s highest peak, Mount Katahdin at 5,270 ft, is inside the park. The famous Appalachian Trail begins or ends there and, at 2,198 mi, ranks among the most popular long-distance routes in the United States.
5️⃣ Penobscot Narrows Bridge
Penobscot Narrows Bridge is a 2,119 ft long road bridge from 2006 that connects the towns of Prospect and Verona Island. The modern structure is interesting in its own right, and one of its towers houses an observation deck that offers 360° views from a height of 420 ft. From the top you can see the Penobscot River, Fort Knox, and the surrounding forests.
6️⃣ Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
Maine is a state of lighthouses, and Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is one of the most popular. The white lighthouse was built in 1827 and is open to visitors, who can climb to the top and enjoy panoramic views of the ocean and coastline. A small museum focused on the history of maritime navigation is part of the site.
7️⃣ Seashore Trolley Museum
One of the largest and oldest museums in the world dedicated to historic streetcars is located in Kennebunkport. The collection includes more than 250 streetcars, buses, and railcars from around the world. The holdings even feature vehicles from Hungary, Japan, Australia, and Canada. You can ride some of the streetcars on a short line that is part of the museum.
8️⃣ Maine Maritime Museum
This museum in Bath is dedicated to Maine’s maritime history. Visitors can explore exhibits on shipbuilding, fishing, and sea transport. River cruises on the Kennebec are a highlight, giving you close-up views of famous shipyards and maritime sites. The museum also includes a historic boatyard where traditional wooden boats are still built.
🗺️ Bath, Maine
9️⃣ Moosehead Lake
Moosehead Lake is the largest lake in Maine and a favorite destination for anglers. Mountains and forests surround the lake, which makes it a great place to relax. Visitors can rent boats, explore by kayak, or watch moose, which are plentiful in the local woods.
🔟 Mount Katahdin
Mount Katahdin, at 5,270 ft, is the highest mountain in Maine and the northern terminus of the popular Appalachian Trail. Several hiking routes lead to the summit, and some are very demanding. Your reward for reaching the top is sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.
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Largest Cities in Maine
The table lists the ten largest cities in the state of Maine in 2023. The source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary task is the census.
City County Population 1 Portland Cumberland 69,104 Map of Portland 2 Lewiston Androscoggin 38,404 Map of Lewiston 3 Bangor Penobscot 31,628 Map of Bangor 4 South Portland Cumberland 26,840 Map of South Portland 5 Auburn Androscoggin 24,793 Map of Auburn 6 Biddeford York 22,367 Map of Biddeford 7 Sanford York 22,251 Map of Sanford 8 Saco York 20,960 Map of Saco 9 Westbrook Cumberland 20,564 Map of Westbrook 10 Augusta Kennebec 19,102 Map of Augusta -
Sports Teams in Maine
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
There is no NHL team from Maine.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
Maine has no team in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
There is no NBA team from Maine.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no Maine team that plays in MLB.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
No team from Maine plays in MLS.
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Maine State Symbols
The state legislature and governor have established a number of officially recognized state symbols. Only some of them are listed in this article.
State Flag of Maine
The design of Maine’s flag was approved on February 23, 1909, and a simpler version had existed since 1901. The flag features the state coat of arms on a dark blue field. The main element is a heraldic shield showing a moose resting beneath a tall green pine. A sailor and a farmer symbolize Maine’s traditional reliance on the sea and agriculture.
State Seal of Maine
The Great Seal of the State of Maine was adopted in June 1820. Its motif matches the one on the flag. The design also includes a stylized North Star and the Latin motto “Dirigo,” which translates as “I lead” or “I guide.”
State Animal
In 1979 the moose became Maine’s official state animal. Maine is the only state on the East Coast with a large population of moose.
State Song
The official state song since 1937 is State of Maine, written by Roger Vinton Snow.
State Tree
Maine’s official state tree since 1945 is the eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), which grows to heights of 197 ft to 230 ft. Captain George Weymouth of the British Navy brought seeds of the tree from Maine to England in 1605.
State Fish
The state fish since 1969 has been the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), which commonly inhabits the Penobscot, Narraguagus, Sheepscot, and Pleasant rivers, among others.
State Cat
In 1985 lawmakers added the Maine Coon cat to the list of official symbols. The breed originated in Maine in the mid-19th century. The “coon” in the name refers to the cat’s bushy, raccoon-like tail.
State Herb
Since 1999 the state herb has been American wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), which grows to 10 cm to 15 cm and bears striking red berries. It grows in forested areas, and Indigenous peoples used it to soothe sore muscles.
State Insect
Since 1975 the official state insect has been the honeybee. About 270 species of this insect live statewide.
State Dessert
Maine’s official dessert is the whoopie pie, a baked treat made of two cake-like rounds. The whoopie pie is usually chocolate, sometimes pumpkin or gingerbread, and the two halves are always joined by a creamy filling.
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