Maine is the 23rd state of the of the United States of America, admitted to the Union on March 15, 1820, when it was separated from Massachusetts.

Because of Maine’s proximity to some of the finest fishing grounds in the Atlantic, most early settlers turned to fishing for their livelihood.

Later, Maine became an important shipbuilding and trading center.

Its ruggedly beautiful coast, indented with many natural harbors, has made the state a popular summer resort area and a haven for artists.

Maine’s rich supply of lumber has also influenced the course of the state’s development, perhaps even more than the sea.

The name Maine probably originated as the word used by English explorers to refer to the mainland; it may also be derived from the province and region of Maine in NorthWestern France.

Nicknamed the Pine Tree State, Maine continues to be largely woodland, and its leading industries rely on wood as a raw material.

Portland, the seat of Cumberland County, is Maine’s largest city, as well as its chief seaport and transportation, trading, and banking center. The Portland metropolitan region includes South Portland, Westbrook, Cape Elizabeth, and Falmouth, all in Cumberland County.

Lewiston, in Androscoggin County, is Maine’s second largest city. Together with Auburn, the seat of Androscoggin County, it makes up the Lewiston-Auburn metropolitan area.

Other important cities in Maine are Bangor, the seat of Penobscot County, and Augusta, the seat of Kennebec County and the state capital.