Maine

Maine Edit History Compare

previous Previous Version (26) next previous Latest Version (37) next (cur)
77
88
9==Geography==9==Geography==
10Maine covers around 35,000 square miles and has about 1.35 million inhabitants. It is bordered by the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the southeast, [[New Hampshire]] to the southwest, and the [[Canada|Canadian]] provinces of [[Quebec]] to the northwest and [[New Brunswick]] to the northeast. Maine has a rocky beautiful coastline and lots of the interior is covered with thick forests. Maine is the easternmost state in the United States both in its extreme points and its geographic center. The municipalities of Eastport and Lubec are, respectively, the easternmost city and town in the United States. Estcourt Station is Maine's northernmost point, as well as the northernmost point in New England. Maine has several unique geographical features. Machias Seal Island and North Rock, off its easternmost point, are claimed by both the U.S. and Canada and are within one of four areas between the two countries whose sovereignty is still in dispute, but it is the only one of the disputed areas containing land. Also from this easternmost area you can reach the Old Sow, the largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere.
11
12Maine has almost 400 kilometres of coastline 5,600 kilometres of tidal coastline). West Quoddy Head is the easternmost piece of land in the contiguous 48 United States.
10Maine covers around 35,000 square miles and has about 1.35 million inhabitants. It is bordered by the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the southeast, [[New Hampshire]] to the southwest, and the [[Canada|Canadian]] provinces of [[Quebec]] to the northwest and [[New Brunswick]] to the northeast. Maine has a rocky beautiful coastline and lots of the interior is covered with thick forests.
1113
1214
13==Cities==15==Cities==
……
22* [[Freeport_(Maine)|Freeport]] is a town north of Portland that has many shops and outlet stores.24* [[Freeport_(Maine)|Freeport]] is a town north of Portland that has many shops and outlet stores.
23* [[Lewiston_(Maine)|Lewiston]]25* [[Lewiston_(Maine)|Lewiston]]
24* [[Portland_(Maine)|Portland]] is the state's largest city.26* [[Portland_(Maine)|Portland]] is the state's largest city.
25* [[Sanford_(Maine)|Sanford]]27* [[Sanford]]
26* [[Scarborough_(Maine)|Scarborough]]28* [[Scarborough_(Maine)|Scarborough]]
27* [[South Portland]]29* [[South Portland]]
2830
2931
30==Sights and Activities==32==Sights and Activities==
33
34===Acadia National Park===
35[photo|282895]
36[[Acadia National Park]] is a [[United States National Parks|National Park]] located in the [[USA|U.S.]] state of [[Maine]]. It reserves much of Mount Desert Island, and associated smaller islands, off the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] coast. Created as Lafayette National Park in 1919, it was renamed Acadia in 1929 and is the oldest National Park east of the Mississippi River. The park includes mountains, an ocean shoreline, woodlands, and lakes. In addition to Mount Desert Island, the park comprises much of the Isle au Haut, parts of Baker Island, and a portion of the Schoodic Peninsula on the mainland. The park is home to some 40 different species of mammalian wildlife. Among these are red and gray squirrels, chipmunks, white-tailed deer, moose, beaver (Castor canadensis), porcupine, muskrats, foxes, coyote, bobcats, and black bears. Many other marine species have been observed in the surrounding area and waters.
37
38
39===Other Sights and Activities===
40* [b]Popham Beach[/b] - a beautiful beach
41* Baxter State Park
42* Mackworth Island
43* Rangeley Lakes
44* Rockland - Home of the Lobster Festival
45* Sebago Lake
46* Whalewatching
47* See the "Indian Summer", the colorful foliage of the New England fall.
48* Lighthouses
31* [[Acadia National Park]]
32* [[Popham Beach]], a beautiful beach
3349
3450
35==Events and Festivals==51==Events and Festivals==
3652
3753
54===Holidays===
55* [b]New Year’s Eve[/b] - The US celebrates the outgoing of the old year and incoming of the New Year quite dramatically. Every state boasts its own parties to ring in the New Year, but none is more extravagant than New York’s Time Square, which sees people overflowing into the neighboring restaurants, bars, parks, beaches, and neighborhoods.
56* [b]St Patrick’s Day[/b] - March 17 celebrates the US’s large Irish population. Many cities around the country boast boisterous parades and Irish-themed parties, especially New York and Chicago, where the river is dyed green. Be wary of the drunkenness that dominates as this is definitely a party-day.
57* [b]Memorial Day[/b] - Memorial Day is an important holiday throughout the United States, but not for crazy festivities. Parades commemorating wartime heroes are often held and the day is also the ‘unofficial’ start of summer. Most visitors follow the crowds to parks and beaches, which are capped off with informal BBQs.
58* [b]Independence Day[/b] - Also known as the Fourth of July, Independence Day celebrates the US’s break from the British during the 18th century. Barbecues, street parties, beach trips, and weekend getaways are commonplace to appreciate freedom.
59* [b]Halloween[/b] - Halloween is a fun holiday on October 31 for all generations to dress up in costumes and relive their youth. Children walk around the neighborhood trick-or-treating for candy, while adults attend parties. Other seasonal events include haunted houses, pumpkin farms and carving, and corn mazes.
60* [b]Thanksgiving[/b] - On the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving is held in almost every home in the US. Tourists will have a hard time finding anything to do as the country essentially shuts down in observation. A typical Thanksgiving meal consists of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie commemorating the original Pilgrim’s feast at Plymouth Rock.
61* [b]Christmas[/b] - On December 25, Christians celebrate Christmas as the pinnacle of their calendar by attending church and opening gifts from Santa Claus. Almost everything shuts down to promote family togetherness. The northern regions hope to experience a “white Christmas,” with trees and festive lights blanketed by snow.
62
63===Sport===
64* [b]Super Bowl Sunday[/b] - the world’s most watched sporting event and one of the highest grossing TV days of the year, Superbowl Sunday is a spectacular extravaganza. Held the first Sunday in February, the Superbowl is the final playoff game between the NFL’s top two teams. The venue rotates every year around America, yet the local parties seem to remain. Pubs, bars and restaurants are great places to enjoy the Superbowl or locals throw their own parties with different variations of betting.
65
66
38==Weather==67==Weather==
39Summers last from June to September and are nice and warm, between 25ºC and 30ºC during the day and between 15ºC and 20ºC at night. Winters last from December to March with average daytime temperatures mostly around freezing point or slightly above. Nights are well below freezing point during this time. Precipitation is quite evenly distributed throughout the year, with sometimes very heavy snowfall in winter. During summer, heavy showers can occur, especially after periods of hot weather.68Maine experiences a humid continental climate, with warm (although generally not hot), humid summers. Winters are cold and snowy throughout the state, and are especially severe in the northern parts of Maine. Coastal areas are moderated somewhat by the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. Summers last from June to September and are nice and warm, between 25ºC and 30ºC during the day and between 15ºC and 20ºC at night. Winters last from December to March with average daytime temperatures mostly around freezing point or slightly above. Nights are well below freezing point during this time. Precipitation is quite evenly distributed throughout the year, with sometimes very heavy snowfall in winter. During summer, heavy showers can occur, especially after periods of hot weather. The state's record high temperature is 41 °C, set in July 1911, at North Bridgton. In January 2009, a new record low temperature for the state was set at Big Black River of -46 °C, tying the [[New England]] record. Maine has fewer days of thunderstorms than any other state east of the Rockies, with most of the state averaging less than 20 days of thunderstorms a year. Tornadoes are rare in Maine, with the state averaging fewer than two per year, mostly occurring in the southern part of the state.
4069
4170
42==Getting There==71==Getting There==
……
51===By Car===80===By Car===
5281
53===By Bus===82===By Bus===
83There is bus service from Boston to Maine's major cities.
5484
55===By Boat===85===By Boat===
5686
……
74Maine has a number of [[http://www.byways.org/explore/states/ME|National Scenic Byways]] which offer a great way to explore the state crossing beautiful landscapes. Mostly, there are lots of national parks, state parks or monuments along the way and it's generally a better alternative than the faster but boring Interstate Highways. 104Maine has a number of [[http://www.byways.org/explore/states/ME|National Scenic Byways]] which offer a great way to explore the state crossing beautiful landscapes. Mostly, there are lots of national parks, state parks or monuments along the way and it's generally a better alternative than the faster but boring Interstate Highways.
75105
76===By Bus===106===By Bus===
107* Concord Coach Lines (formerly Concord Trailways), ☎ +1 207 945-4000, has both an express between Boston South Station or Logan Airport and Bangor that stops in Portland and a local coastal service whose stops include Portland, Brunswick, Bath, Wiscasset, Waldoboro, Rockland, Camden, Belfast and University of Maine in Orono. They also have another route to Orono with stops Augusta, Bangor and Colby College in Waterville along the I-95 corridor. edit
108* Greyhound Lines, toll-free: +1-800-231-2222, Greyhound travels primarily on Interstate 95 between Boston South Station and Bangor (via Porstmouth, Wells, Portland, Lewiston, Augusta and Waterville) and a divergence from Portland to Brunswick on I-295 and than over to Lewiston and then northwards towards Bangor on I-95. Passengers can transfer in Boston, Bangor, or Portsmouth to get to other cities & towns edit
109* Cyr Bus Lines, (office/depot) 153 Gilman Falls Ave, Old Town, ☎ +1 207 827-2010, toll-free: +1-800-244-2335, connects Bangor with Caribou, stopping in Old Town, Orono, Houlton, Oakfield, Sherman, Medway, Mars Hill and Presque Isle in northern Maine
77Portland, ME-Metro Bus Service travels all around the city.
78110
79===By Boat===111===By Boat===
80112
81113
82==Eat==114==Eat==
115* Maine lobster. Lobsters are ubiquitous in Maine and are served a variety of ways. The basic preparation (served nearly everywhere from basic lobster pound restaurants that serve nothing else to high-end restaurants) is steamed with drawn butter. Bibs and claw crackers are provided. The more traditional clam bake layers steamer clams, mussels, lobsters, potatoes, onions and corn over seaweed all are steamed together with saltwater. Uniquely Maine preparations include lobster stew, lobster casserole, and lobster pie. A few ice cream companies even make lobster ice cream!
116* Fresh seafood of all kinds, crab, scallops, shrimp, clams. Small but flavorful boreal red shrimp (more commonly known as Maine shrimp) are available from November to March. Like New England's only shrimp variety, New England's most extensive type of crab (rock crab) goes by the name Maine crab and although not as celebrated as lobster, is excellent steamed or served any other way. Local oyster varieties include Pemaquids and Sheepscots. Fishermen catch North Atlantic fish of all kinds.
117* The best blueberries in the country.
83118
84* [b][[http://www.pentagoet.com/dining/our-restauran t |Pentagoet Maine Restaurant]][/b]. 26 Main Street, Castine, ME 04421. 800-845-1701. A [[http://www.pentagoet.com/dining/our-restaurant/l ocal-organic-food-producers |Maine Restaurant]] that features a collection of small plates, entrees and soups and salads incorporating produce from many of the local organic farms.
85119
86
87==Drink==120==Drink==
121Maine produces some of the highest quality beers in the country. When in the Pine Tree State, go for a tour or look for titles by these fine breweries:
88122
123* Allagash Brewing Co., Casco Bay Brewing Co., DL Geary Brewing Co., Gritty McDuff's Brewing Co. and Shipyard in Portland.
124* Atlantic Brewing Co., Bar Harbor Brewing Co., Maine Coast Brewing Co., in Bar Harbor.
125* Maine Beer Co. in Freeport
126* Sheepscot Valley Brewing in Whitefield.
127* Sea Dog Brewing Co., in Bangor.
128* StoneCoast Brewing Co., in Portland and Bethel.
89129
90*[b][[http://www.pentagoet.com/dining/passports-pu b Passports Pub]][/b] at [[http://www.pentagoet.com |Pentagoet Inn]]. 26 Main Street, Castine, ME 04421. 800-845-1701. The perfect place to start your evening with a glass of wine or one of our signature cocktails.
91130
131==Sleep==
92132
93==Sleep==
94===Hotel and Motel Chains===133===Hotel and Motel Chains===
95There are dozens of hotel and motel chains, ranging from budget to top end. Allthough they are not the most charming accommodations, they usually have a very decent midrange service with good rooms and are generally good value. At least you know what to expect and in some cases they are either the only or the best option in the area. Some of them include: 134There are dozens of hotel and motel chains, ranging from budget to top end. Allthough they are not the most charming accommodations, they usually have a very decent midrange service with good rooms and are generally good value. At least you know what to expect and in some cases they are either the only or the best option in the area. Some of them include:
96135
……
113* [[http://www.marriott.com/|Marriott Hotels]]152* [[http://www.marriott.com/|Marriott Hotels]]
114153
115154
155==External Links==
156* [[http://www.maine.gov|Official Governmental Website]]
157* [[http://www.visitmaine.com|Official Tourism Website]]
116==Other Options==
117158
118* [b][[http://www.pentagoet.com |Pentagoet Inn]][/b]. 26 Main Street, Castine, ME 04421. 800-845-1701. A Castine, [[http://www.pentagoet.com/accommodations |Maine bed and breakfast inn]].
119159
120160
121161