|
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is the northernmost portion of both New England and the eastern United States. To the south and east is the Atlantic Ocean, and to the north and northeast is New Brunswick, a province of Canada. The Canadian province of Quebec is to the northwest. Maine is both the northernmost state in New England and the largest, accounting for nearly half the region's entire land area. It also has the distinction of being the only state to border just one other state.
Maine's Moosehead Lake is the largest lake in New England. Machias Seal Island, off its easternmost point, is claimed by both the U.S. and Canada and is one of five North American land areas whose sovereignty is still in dispute. Also in this easternmost area is the Old Sow, the largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere
Maine is the most sparsely populated state east of the Mississippi River. It is called the Pine Tree State; 90% of its land is forest. In the forested areas of the interior, there is much uninhabited land, some of which does not even have formal political organization into local units.
Maine is equally well known for its dramatic ocean scenery. West Quoddy Head is the easternmost piece of land in the contiguous 48 United States. Along the famous rock-bound coast of Maine are lighthouses, sandy beaches, quiet fishing villages and thousands of offshore islands, including the Isles of Shoals, which straddle the New Hampshire border. Jagged rocks and cliffs and thousands of bays and inlets add to the rugged beauty of Maine's coast. Just inland, by contrast, is the view of sparkling lakes, rushing rivers, green forests and towering mountains.
The state experiences a continental climate, much more so in the southern part of the state. Temperatures generally dip into the 20s and 10s in the winter, and during the summer temperatures are in the 70s and low 80s.
|
