State of Maine general data
- Time zone: 6 hours less than Italy
- Capital: Augusta
- Main towns: Auburn, Bangor, Brunswick,Lewiston, Portland, South Portland.
- Area: 86.540 km²
- Population: 1,300,000 inhabitants approximately.
- Population density: 15 residents / km²
- State abbreviation: ME
- Entry into the United States: It joins the United States on March 14, 1820, it is the 23rd state to join the union.
According to thembaprograms.com, the territory of Maine can be divided into three major morphological regions: the coastal plain, the area at the foot of the mountains, the area of the mountains and plateaus. The coast of Maine, with 1,100 km is the largest in the United States after those of Alaska and Florida, is a strip from 15 to 30 about km wide of irregular terrain formed by the glaciation. As the ice retreated, the ocean invaded part of this coastal plain. A subsequent retreat of the sea formed bays, coves, fjords and estuaries, and thousands of small islands off the coast. The coastal plain region is located in the foothills of the Appalachian mountain system, and extends from the southeast of the state to Canada. The mountainous region is the extreme northwest of the Appalachian Mountains. The highest point in the state is located in this region, Mount Katahdin, at 1,605m. In the area there are nine other peaks of more than 1,200 m.
The most important rivers in Maine are the Penobscot, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Saco, Allagash and Saint John, the longest in the state. These rivers, except the Allagash which deviates east and then south, flow north to south. The Piscataqua River that Maine shares with the state of New Hampshire is of great commercial importance. Of Maine’s many lakes, Moosehead and Sebago are the largest.
Flora and fauna – The most widespread forest is that of fir, followed by those of mixed strong woods and white pine.
The abundance of forests and rivers has made Maine a refuge for many animal species. Fur animals include black bears, beavers, foxes, lynxes and martens. There are also an abundance of deer and there are 300 different bird species.
Maine’s climate is extremely variable, with mild summers and cold winters. Three climatic zones can be distinguished: the southern zone of the interior, the coastal zone and the northern region. Average temperatures in summer are 17 ° C, in winter -8 ° C in the interior and -3 ° C on the coast. Average annual rainfall is abundant, 1,100 mm, mainly in the form of snow in the northern region.
Maine: places to visit
The vast territory of Maine (it alone occupies half of New England) is arguably the least transformed since the twentieth century, and the one that offers the widest range of outdoor activities. The immense forests encountered by the first settlers who arrived here earned the future state of Maine the nickname of Pine Tree State. Used for all types of construction (from traditional houses to ships, which have become an important production sector of the country), then in the cellulose industry, the timber risked disappearing completely, if this process were continued with the same intensity. Currently, the Maine forest is finally protected against illegal logging, and the trees still create a fabulous setting for the region’s approximately two thousand lakes, true natural wonders.
Equally attractive is the coast of Maine. It has a very indented coast with countless bays in the bottom of which small fishing ports often nestle that live in the rhythm of another era.
The islands are numerous. In Casco Bay (where the city of Portland, the most important in Maine, is located), the Calendar Islands owe their name to the fact that they are, so they say, 365… Farther offshore, other islands more difficult to reach are a real paradise for lovers of solitude In Monhegan and Maticinus, the islanders are dedicated to fishing for shrimp which are reputed to be particularly tasty in these uncrowded waters and, together with the delicious clams, have guaranteed an undisputed reputation to the gastronomy of the state, among the most popular in the United States.
The whole coast is an uninterrupted succession of magical sites, such as the harbor and the town of Camden with its flowering street lamps. The palm of beauty seems to touch Mount Desert Island for Acadia National Park. Its fame is not without foundation: numerous paths invite to wonderful walks and from the top of Cadillac Mountain an immense panorama that embraces the interior and the shores of Maine reveals the wonders of the state that has given itself, one can rightly say the title of holiday paradise.
On the Kennebunk River, Kennebunkport, a small and beautiful town, in the summer it is filled with tourists who come to stroll the streets, admiring the historic houses and the beautiful seascapes. To do, a ride along Ocean Avenue, which runs east of the town and then follows a scenic stretch of the Atlantic that is home to some of the best homes in the port of Kennebunk, including the summer residence of former President George Bush Sr. The city center is the Dock square. Three public beaches that stretch along the west side of the Kennebunk River are known as Kennebunk Beach.
Acadia National Park– The main attraction of the park is the scenic Loop Road, a 43 km long road that rises and falls and touches the most beautiful points. Among them, Cadillac Mountain. Some paths and a driveway lead to the spectacular views that can be enjoyed from the top. The road continues south until you reach the idyllic Sand Beach. The Loop Road continues inland and touches Jordan Pond, Bubble Pond, and Eagle Lake. On the south shore of the park is the quaint downtown of Bass Harbor. The park is home to numerous animals, including marmots, Virginia deer, and red foxes. Tourists who want to take a closer look at the park’s flora and fauna can do so on foot, by bike or on horseback along the 72 km paved driveways that wind through the park.
Arbor Bar– Located at the gateway to Acadia National Park, this charming coastal town once rivaled Newport as a trendy summer destination for wealthy Americans. Today many of the old mansions have been transformed into inviting inns and the town has become an attraction for outdoor enthusiasts.
Penobscot Bay– It is famous for its islands, which can be visited on boat tours. Penobscot Bay’s mall is Rockland, whose most popular event is the lobster festival. One of the main attractions is the Farnsworth Alt Museum. Popular with tourists is Camden, with its churches and steeples, elegant houses and shops along the harbor. A short drive away is Camden Hills State Park, which offers breathtaking views of the bay from the top of Mount Battie. Nearby Searsport is considered the antiques capital of Maine, and is filled with flea markets on summer weekends. The east coast leads to peaceful and perfectly preserved villages such as Castine and Blue Hill. In Castine is the ancient Fort George. Blue Hill is a postcard, many of its wooden buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Deer Isle, which can be reached from the mainland via a graceful suspension bridge. Among the things to see, the towns of Stonington and Deer Isle. Another paradise is Monhegan Island.
Portland– In the west of the city there are still magnificent Victorian mansions and a splendid promenade along the sea. Portland’s liveliest area is located around the Old Port. According to topschoolsoflaw.com, the narrow streets of this neighborhood are lined with shops, restaurants and art galleries. Dominating the area is the United States Customs House, built after the Civil War (1861-65). At the docks, there are ships offering trips to the Calendar Islands, bay tours and fishing trips. According to countryaah.com, west of the Old Port, the Portland Museum of Art exhibits works by the region’s most celebrated artist, Winslow Homer (1836-1910), and by European masters such as Gauguin and Picasso. The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum exhibits vintage locomotives. The most distinctive feature is Fort Williams Park’s Portland Head Light.
Tourist and Cultural Places – Maine’s most important cultural institutions are: Portland Museum of Art, William A. Farnsworth Museum and Library, Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Maine State Museum, Museum-Theater Boothbay, the Bath Marine Museum, the University of Maine Museum of Anthropology, the Penobscot Marine Museum and the Colby Museum of Art. Among the points of historical and cultural interest, we can highlight the Island of Saint Croix, where a French settlement of the 17th century princes is preserved, and the Machias at Burnham Tavern museum, a tavern where the capture of the schooner was organized in 1775 “Marietta” during the War of Independence.
One of its main tourist attractions,which extends over much of the Mont Desert Island. Mount Katahdin, in Baxter State Park, is the northern terminus of the Appalachian National Highway, which extends south to Georgia. Also noteworthy is the Roosevelt Campobello International Park.
The coast and inland lakes, as well as the rivers and mountains of Maine, offer great opportunities for swimming, boating, hiking, fishing and hunting. The state also has a number of ski resorts.
