Maine is the northeastern-most state, and it’s known for its rocky coastline, its fishing boats, its seagoing history, its wildlife, its forests, its lighthouses, and its lobsters. Maine is also the endpoint of the Appalachian Trail.
The Appalachian Trail is the longest hiking-only footpath on earth, with over two thousand miles of walking paths that ramble through 14 states from Georgia in the South all the way to Maine in the north.
Maine is located on the Atlantic coast, and Maine’s famous coastline stretches for roughly 3,500 miles. The total jumps to over 5,000 miles if you include the state’s many islands.
How Did Maine Get Its Name? They’re Not Sure, But They Think They Know the Answer
It’s not clear exactly how Maine got its name. The name first appeared in writing in 1622, and the name was probably referring to the fact that the state was “mainland,” not an island.
Maine Wasn’t Always Maine…
Maine was originally part of Massachusetts. It was several years after the American Revolution that Maine was finally given statehood in 1820. It was the 23rd state.
Maine is the only state in the country with a one-syllable name, and it is also the only state to share its border with just one other state. That state is Maine’s neighbor to the south: New Hampshire.
And, by the way, while Portland is the largest city in the state, it’s not the state capital. The capital is a smaller town named Augusta.
The Largest Cities in Maine Are:
- Portland (Maine’s Largest City)
- Lewiston
- Bangor
- South Portland
And the Capital of Maine Is…
- Augusta
Fact #1: The official state insect of Maine is the honeybee. The state has a rich beekeeping culture, and even has a non-profit organization called the Maine Beekeeper’s Association that promotes understanding and appreciation of the insect’s importance.
Fact #2: Maine received the nickname “The Pine Tree State” because it has acres and acres of forestland. As of 2012, roughly 83 percent of Maine’s area remained forested.
Fact #3: Eastport, Maine is the most eastern city in the United States, which means that it’s the first place in the United States to receive morning sunshine.
Fact #4: L.L. Bean, the clothing and outdoor equipment store, was founded in Freeport, Maine in 1912 by hunter and fisherman Leon Leonwood Bean. Its flagship store in Freeport not only has an aquarium, but is also adorned with a giant size 410 Bean boot.
Fact #5: Maine’s lobster industry is enormous, producing about 90 percent of America’s lobster supply. Lobster is celebrated each year at the Maine Lobster Festival, during which more than 20,000 lobsters are consumed by tourists and locals.
Just for fun, see if you can answer these questions.
What is the capital of Maine? Is it Bangor, Portland, Lewiston, or Augusta?
Augusta is the capital of Maine.
Which famous walking path ends in Maine? Is it the Rocky Mountain Train, the Chisholm Trail, or the Appalachian Trail?
It’s the Appalacian Trail. By the way, The Appalacian Trail goes all the way from Maine to Georgia.
What is Maine's nickname?
It’s called the Pine Tree State.
What kind of shellfish is Maine famous for? Is it clams, oysters, or lobsters?
Lobsters.
If you have time, you can write a story of your own.
Here are a couple of story ideas you can choose from.
Idea #1: You can write a brief story about some of the cool things you learned about Maine.
Or
Idea #2: Imagine you owned a large boat that could sail up and down the fock coastline of Maine. What would it be like? What would you see? Do you think you’d enjoy the trip? Wrtie a brief stoary about your imaginary boat trip.
To help you write a great story, we have some helpful hints and timely tips.
Check out “10 Tips for Writing Better Essays.”
Here's a riddle for you:
What did the pine tree wear to the pool party?
Swiming trunks.
For fun-to-read books about a girl detective who homeschools on a train... check out The Mystery Ryders, a series from the creators of the Homeschool Express.
