Maine belongs to the region of New England and is the easternmost land of the USA.The first recollection of a settlement here dates back to the 1604 Europeans.Then, on the island of Holy Cross landed a French expedition led by Samuel de Champlain.Another three years later, the Plymouth Company was established here the British settlement.Initially the territory of Maine was part of Massachusetts, but the March 15, 1820, it was separated and became the 23rd state on account of the state.
Geographic features
region borders in the south-western part of the State of New Hampshire, in the northwest - with the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick.All of the south-eastern border of the Maine Atlantic Ocean.The total area of the state is 91.6 thousand. Square kilometers.With more than 13% of its territory is covered by water.In addition, much of it is a mountain range of the Appalachian foothills.The highest point here is to Katahdin and largest lake - Muzhed.In the eastern part of the island state located in North Rock and Machias.True, there is a caveat.He is so far between Canada and the United States is not settled the question of their origin.
Maine different continental climate, which is expressed in a snowy, cold winters and very hot summers.Throughout the year, the temperature here ranges from -18 to +27 degrees.Tropical storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and storms in the region are rare.
origin of the name to this day researchers have not reached a consensus as to why Maine was just such a name.For the first time in the history of the title occurs in a document 1622.According to him, Captain John Mason and Sir Ferdinand Gorzhes were presented with a plot of land, which intends to name "Province of Maine."In 2001, local authorities had decided to establish a holiday - the Day of the Franco-Americans.The relevant written order stated that its present name was in honor of the staff of the French province of the same name.
population
population of Maine is just over 1.3 million.Despite the small area, a pretty impressive site remains uninhabitable.This can be explained by the prevailing mountainous terrain and rather harsh weather conditions.In addition, throughout the year, the number of local residents varies depending on the season.The fact that many Americans living here in the summer, and at the end of the season leaving.
Regarding the origin of the residents living in Maine, approximately 22% of them - it's the British, 15% - Irish, 14.2% - and the French Canadians, almost 10% - Americans, 6.7% - the Germans.The official language in the region is English.At the same time, more than 5% of the population are fluent in French.
City
In the state, there are 488 settlements of various sizes.The largest of them is the city of Portland, whose population is about 63 thousand people.As for the small, the reference is to be resort town of Fray Island, which is not officially registered no one.The capital of Maine - City Augusta.The population of the administrative center of equals twenty thousand inhabitants.The city is located in a very favorable, from a geographical point of view, position.In this regard, there is a number of agricultural and industrial enterprises.
Tourism
Every year large number of tourists visiting Maine.Things to its concentrated primarily in Portland and Augusta.In the first of these cities are very popular Museum of Art, the Space Gallery, and many local parks.With regard to capital, there is recommended to visit the Museum of Military History Society, the State House and the library, "Lithgow."Most of the objects of a cultural heritage for the Americans, were built in the early twentieth century.
Specific words deserves local nature.Due to the mountains, vast forests and beautiful pond (one of the most spectacular is Lake Chamberlain) Maine visited by tens of thousands of travelers from the US and other countries each year.Especially popular are the ocean views, a clear confirmation of what has led to numerous easels on the ocean coast, which can be seen at any time of the year.
Economic development
most developed sectors in the state are industry and agriculture.Despite the predominance of rocky soil here in large volumes to grow potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, green peas and oats.Many firms specializing in preparing vegetables for implementation, are in the territory of Maine.Also of note is quite advanced woodworking, shipbuilding and textile industries.A separate source of income was the Portland fresh sea fish.Whatever it was, in all these sectors together it involved only a quarter of the local population.Most of the state's residents work in the service sector and the tourism business.
