- It's the US state which is farthest east, which means it has the most eastern US city, the appropriately named Eastport; the most easterly state capital (Augusta) and the most easterly point in the USA (West Quoddy Head). Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast, is 1530 feet high. From October through March, it's the first place to experience the sunrise in the United States. Maine is also the US state which is closest to Africa.
- If you measure all the contours of Maine's coastline, the coastline is about 3500 miles long. If you include the 3,000 islands off the coast, the coastline is 5500 miles. It's said Maine has so many deep harbours that it could accommodate all the navies in the world. Some of the islands are for sale. There is one, called Hawaii, that was snapped up by the makers of the game Cards Against Humanity. Mount Desert Island encompasses Acadia National Park, one of the most visited in the country. Machias Seal Island is claimed by both the US and Canada, so anyone born there can claim citizenship of both nations.
- Maine is the only state in the United States whose name has one syllable.
- Maine is the only state which shares its border with only one other state (New Hampshire).
- Maine produces 90% of the country's Lobsters, 99% of its Blueberries, and 90% of its Toothpicks. Until 2003, Strong, Maine, was known as the “Toothpick Capital of the World.” There's even a cannery in Wilton which imports and cans nothing but Dandelion greens.
- It gets cold in winter. So cold that a 15 year old from Maine, Chester Greenwood, invented earmuffs in the 1870s. His home town, Farmington, still celebrates him every year with an earmuff themed parade on Chester Greenwood Day. Maine also came up with the snowplough and an early type of snowmobile. The official state cat is the Maine Coon Cat, which has thick, layered fur, perfectly adapted to get through the winters there. It's also the largest breed of domestic cat.
- Other state symbols are: bird: the chickadee; flower: white pine cone and tassel; insect: Honey Bee; animal: moose; fish: Landlocked Salmon; Herb Wintergreen; Tree Eastern white pine; Berry Wild blueberry; Gemstone Tourmaline. Maine’s motto is “Dirigo,” meaning “I direct.”
- Famous people from Maine include Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, EB White (author of Charlotte's Web) and Stephen King. You may not have heard of Sir William Phip - his claim to fame is being the first British knight to be born in America. He was knighted by King James II of England for finding sunken treasure in the Bahamas.
- Augusta is the capital. Although we don't know how the state got its name (possibly from sailors referring to it as the mainland, or from a French place with the same name), we do know that Augusta is named after the daughter of Revolutionary War hero Henry Dearborn. Portland is the largest city. Portland has survived four major fires which has resulted in its flag featuring a phoenix and the motto Resurgam – Latin for I will rise again.
- Things that could get you in trouble with the law in Maine include biting your landlord, leaving Christmas decorations up after January 14, stepping off a plane while it's in flight, or walking down the street playing a Violin or with your Shoelaces undone. You are legally required to take a shotgun to church in case of an Indian attack.
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