Maine is the northernmost state in the contiguous United States and the easternmost state in the entire United States. Occupying the New England region, Maine borders the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, New Hampshire to the southwest, and provinces of Canada to the north. Augusta serves as Maine’s capital, and Portland is the largest city. Portland, South Portland, and Biddeford comprise the largest metro area.
Maine boasts an estimated population of 1,321,504. Around 98% of Maine residents are white with ancestries such as English American, Irish, French or French Canadian, American, and German. Other than New Hampshire, Maine has the highest percentage of French Americans, 14.2%, among the U.S. states. Eighty-two percent of Maine residents identify as Christian.
Maine’s total gross state product was around $41 billion in 2003. Twenty-ninth in the nation, Maine’s per-capita personal income was $29,164. A popular tourist destination, Maine is a popular destination for winter sports, camping and hiking. Maine also produces poultry, eggs, cattle, dairy products, maple syrup and sugar. The largest blueberry producer in the world, Maine produces 25% of all the blueberries in North America. Commercial fishing and bottling water also serve as mainstays in Maine’s economy. Maine’s industrial outputs include paper, lumber, and wood products, electronic equipment, leather products, food products, textiles, and biotechnology. Maine also serves as an important transportation hub.