Maine used to be a French territory and its name comes from the French province of the same name. The largest of the New England states in area, Maine, in 1820, was the 23rd state to join the Union. The most sparsely populated state east of the Mississippi River is appropriately called the "Pine Tree State", as 90 percent of its land is forest. Maine forms the northeastern corner of the United States. West Quoddy Head is the country's easternmost piece of land. Along the famous rock-bound coast of Maine are lighthouses, sandy beaches, quiet fishing villages and thousands of offshore islands. Jagged rocks and cliffs, and thousands of bays and inlets add to the rugged beauty of Maine's coast. Inland, there are sparkling lakes, rushing rivers, green forests and towering mountains. Maine's Acadia National Park is the only national park in New England.

GOVERNMENT
Capital: Augusta
Governor: John Elias Baldacci, D (to Jan. 2007)
Senators: Susan Collins, R (to Jan. 2009); Olympia J. Snowe, R (to Jan. 2007)
House of Representatives: 2 districts | Search by zip code

ECONOMY
Total Gross State Product 1999 (millions of dollars): 34,064; National rank: 43; Percent change since 1990: 45%; National Rank based on Growth Rate: 45 (Including Washington, DC)
Per Capita Personal Income 2001: $26,853; National Rank: 35 (88% of the national average)
State Exports 2001 (millions of dollars): 1,813; National Rank: 42
Agriculture: Seafood, poultry and eggs, potatoes, dairy products, cattle, blueberries, apples.
Industry: Paper, lumber, and wood products, electric equipment, food processing, leather products, textiles, tourism.