Geography
of Maine
by Christian Sicard
Cedarville College
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Maine's northeastern tip borders Canada. The Atlantic Ocean is to its east; New Hampshire is to its south and west. The Longfellow Mountains surround Maine. The major rivers are Androscoggin, Kennebec, and Penobscot. Sand dunes prevail near Freeport. There are approximately 3,400 miles of coastline. |
Physical Geography
Maine's land area covers 87,389 sq km (33,741 sq mi). All of what is now Maine was once covered by glaciers, which left a rocky, lake- and river-dotted landscape. The state can be divided into three major natural regions: the White Mountain section, the New England Upland, and the Seaboard Lowland. The White Mountains occupy much of the western and central parts of the state and are the most rugged and thickly forested area of Maine. The rolling, heavily forested plateau that is the New England Upland occupies northern, eastern, and central Maine. The Seaboard Lowland is primarily gently rolling terrain lying between the New England Upland and the Atlantic Ocean. Maine's coastline is generally rocky and deeply indented with bays, inlets, and river estuaries. More than 1300 rocky islands lie off the coast.
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Do you know the song about the counties in Maine? Now you can learn it! |
Climate
Maine has a humid continental climate with moderate summers and long winters. The climate is generally milder along the coast, particularly in the winter. Precipitation (rainfall and snowfall) in Maine is evenly distributed throughout the year. You can check and see what the weather in Maine is right now!
Wildlife
More than 90 percent of Maine's total land area is forested, the highest percentage of forest coverage of any state. Trees include spruce, fir, maple, beech, birch, and white pine, which is the state tree. Most of the wildflowers and shrubs common to the northeastern United States are found in Maine. The state flower is the white pine cone and tassel. Maine has one of the most varied wildlife populations in the eastern United States. Among the larger animals are white-tailed deer, black bears, and moose. Most of Maine's birds are also found throughout the rest of the northeastern United States. The black-capped chickadee is the state bird. Conservation activities are primarily aimed at the preservation of Maine's forest, wildlife, and fishery resources.