Higher Education  

Maine has sixteen colleges and universities, and nine community colleges. The University of Maine is a state institution with campuses in Orono, Farmington, Fort Kent, Machias, Augusta, and Presque Isle. The University of Southern Maine has campuses in Portland, Gorham, and at Lewiston-Auburn College. Other institutions include the College of the Atlantic, in Bar Harbor; Bates College, in Lewiston; Bowdoin College, in Brunswick; Colby College, in Waterville; Husson College, in Bangor; the University of New England, with campuses in Portland and Biddeford; St. Joseph's College, in North Windham; Thomas College, in Waterville, Unity College, in Unity; and Westbrook College, in Portland.

Geography

Including the state's thousands of offshore islands, Maine covers 86,027 square kilometers. Maine can be divided into three distinct regions: the Coastal Lowlands, the New England Upland, and the White/Longfellow Mountains. The Coastal Lowlands encompasses sandy beaches, rocky shores, and a hilly area between the coastal plain and mountains. Northwest of the lowlands is the New England Upland, a high, flat plateau. The White/Longfellow Mountains are at the northern end of the Appalachian chain; many peaks in this region are more than 1,219 meters above sea level. Maine's longest river is the St. John River, and its largest lakes are Moosehead Lake and Sebago Lake. The state's major cities include Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, Auburn, South Portland, and Augusta (capital). Maine is home to approximately 1.25 million people.

Climate

Maine is known for its cool summers and long, cold winters. Summer temperatures average from 17° C in the northern interior to 18° C on the coast. Temperatures in the winter average from -8° C in the north to -3° C on the coast. Parts of the state receive an average of 102 cm of rainfall annually. Snowfall varies from 178 cm along the coast to 254 cm in the interior. Maine's coast is frequently shrouded in heavy fog.

Cultural Profile

Maine's museums devoted to maritime or logging artifacts include the Maine Maritime Museum, in Bath; the Grand Banks Schooner Museum, in Boothbay; the Penobscot Marine Museum, in Searsport; the Lumberman's Museum in Patten; and the Ashland Logging Museum, in Ashland. Art museums include the Farnsworth Library and Art Museum, in Rockland; the Portland Museum of Art, in Portland; and the Walker Museum of Art at Bowdoin College in Brunswick.

The cities of Bangor and Portland support symphony orchestras. Bangor is also host to the Maine State Ballet and the Bangor Opera House. Among the state's theatrical troupes are the Acadia Repertory Theatre, which performs on Mt. Pleasant Island and in Bangor, and the Maine State Theater, in Waterville. Music performances throughout the state feature jazz, classical, rock music, sea chanteys, and folk music. Maine's colleges and universities regularly stage musical, dance, and dramatic performances.

Recreation

Maine has twenty-nine state parks, seven state wilderness areas, and five national parks and wildlife areas. Some of the state's popular attractions are Acadia National Park, on Mt. Desert Island; Baxter State Park, in north-central Maine; Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, near Calais; Pemaquid Lighthouse, on the Pemaquid Peninsula; and Old Orchard Beach, near Kennebunkport. Popular outdoor activities include boating, fishing, rock climbing, bicycling, trail riding, hiking, and camping.

Interesting Facts

Mainers, or residents of Maine, are sometimes called Down-Easters. Maine produces about 50 billion toothpicks a year, more than any other state. Maine is famous for lobsters, clams, and blueberries. Famous Mainers include Dorothea Dix (social reformer), John Ford (movie director), Stephen King (writer of horror stories), Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (poet and author), and Edna St. Vincent Millay (poet).