| |
| Portland
/ Maine
State Statistics |
| Maine State Flag |
 |
| MAINE
|
|
| PORTLAND |
|
| AREA |
35,387 sq miles (39th) (Land) 30,865 sq. miles (Water) 4,523 sq. miles
|
| CAPITAL |
Augusta |
| FAMOUS DATES
|
Entered Union (rank): March 15, 1820 (23), Present constitution adopted: 1820
|
| LOCATION
|
44.330N, 069.729W |
| MEAN ELEVATION
|
600 ft. |
| HIGHEST
POINT |
Katahdin Mtn.; 5268 feet, 22nd |
| LOWEST
POINT |
Atlantic coast; sea level, 3rd |
| COUNTIES |
16 |
| COASTLINE |
228 miles |
| GEOGRAPHIC CENTER |
in Mercer |
| STATE FOSSIL
|
pertica quadrifaria (1985) |
| STATE GRASS
|
|
| STATE REPTILE
|
|
| STATE ROCK
|
|
| STATE GEMSTONE
|
Tourmaline |
| STATE FLAG
|
The current version of the Maine flag was officially adopted is 1909. It features a centered coat of arms (adopted in 1820) on a dark blue field. The coat of arms pictures a farmer (with scythe) and a seaman (with anchor) representing the agricultural and maritime industries. The shield between them includes a pine tree, a moose (the state animal of Maine), green grass, a tranquil sky, and deep blue water.
At the top is a yellow star (representing the North Star, as Maine was the northernmost state when it entered the Union) and a ribbon that reads, "DIRIGO," which means "I direct" in Latin. Below, a ribbon reads, "MAINE."
|
| STATE COLORS
|
|
| STATE SEAL
|
In June of 1820, three months after Maine became a state, the legislature drafted the design of the state seal. Since that time, there have been variations in the details of the seal, but the overall design and images remain true to the spirit of that legislative session. The center of the seal is a shield adorned with a tranquil scene of a moose resting in a field bordered by water and woods, with a pine tree standing tall directly behind the moose. On either side of the shield, a farmer rests on his scythe, and a sailor leans on an anchor. Above the shield is the motto "Dirigo" ("I lead"), and a stylized North Star. And below the shield is a banner that simply reads "Maine". The legislature of 1919 decided that the design of the seal should no longer vary, and froze the design, and it is still used today.
|
| STATE SLOGAN
|
We're Really Cold, But We Have Cheap Lobster |
| STATE
MOTTO
|
"I Direct" |
| STATE SONG
|
"State of Maine" |
| STATE TREE
|
Eastern White Pine |
| STATE BIRD
|
Chicadee |
| STATE ANIMAL
|
Moose |
| STATE FISH
|
landlocked salmon (1969) |
| STATE METAL
|
|
| STATE NICKNAMES
|
Pine Tree State |
| STATE FLOWER
|
White Pine Cone |
| BORDERING
STATES
|
New Hampshire, and the Canadian Provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec
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