State of Maine
Nicknames: The Pine Tree State, Vacationland
Motto(s): Dirigo (I lead)
Date of Statehood: March 15, 1820 (23rd state)
State Song: “State of Maine Song” by Roger Vinton Snow
Maine Flag History
The flag of Maine, adopted on June 16, 1909, represents the state’s identity and values. The flag’s central feature is the state seal on a blue field, similar to the blue of the United States flag, symbolizing Maine’s rich nautical history and its connection to the nation. The seal depicts a moose resting under a pine tree, a farmer, and a sailor, representing Maine’s traditional reliance on agriculture and the sea.
Above the seal is the North Star and the state motto, “Dirigo,” meaning “I lead,” symbolizing guidance and the state’s role as a leader. The sailor and the farmer support the shield, symbolizing the work on the sea and land that characterizes the state. The pine tree, a direct reference to the state’s nickname, and the moose, indigenous to the vast Maine woods, are symbols of the state’s natural resources and wildlife.
The flag’s design, unchanged since its adoption, reflects Maine’s history, its natural resources, and the industrious character of its people. It is a testament to the state’s commitment to its heritage, the welfare of its citizens, and its role as a guiding force.
Maine Quick Facts
Capital City: Augusta
Abbreviation: ME
Population: Approximately 1.3 million
Region: Northeast, New England
Origin of State Name: Possibly named for the province of Maine in France or from the nautical term “the main” or “Mainland
Sports Teams: No major professional sports teams, significant presence in minor league sports
Bordering States: New Hampshire
Area Codes: 207
Highest Point: Mount Katahdin at 5,269 feet (1,606 meters)
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean
Geography of Maine
Area: 35,385 square miles (91,646 square kilometers), 39th largest
Land: 30,843 square miles (79,883 square kilometers), 39th largest
Water: 4,542 square miles (11,763 square kilometers), 12th largest
Coastline: 228 miles (367 kilometers)
Shoreline: 3,478 miles (5,597 kilometers), including islands and inlets
Largest Cities:
- Portland
- Lewiston
- Bangor
- South Portland
- Auburn
- Biddeford
- Sanford
- Brunswick
- Scarborough
- Saco
- Westbrook
- Augusta
- Windham
- Gorham
- Waterville
National Parks:
- Acadia National Park
- Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
- Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
- Roosevelt Campobello International Park (nearby in Canada)
Maine State Symbols
Living Insignia
State Bird: Chickadee
State Animal: Moose
State Amphibian: None
State Butterfly: None
State Fish: Landlocked Salmon
State Flower: White Pine Cone and Tassel
State Horse Breed: None
State Insect: Honeybee
State Mammal: Moose
State Reptile: None
Inanimate Insignia
State Fruit: Wild Blueberry
State Gemstone: Tourmaline
State Soil: Chesuncook Soil Series
State Tree: Eastern White Pine
State Quarter: Issued in 2003 featuring the Pemaquid Point Light and a schooner at sea
State Beverage: Moxie
State Colors: None official
State Dance: None
State Food: Lobster
State Fossil: Pertica quadrifaria
State Mineral: Tourmaline
State Rock: Granite