Maine. "Dirigo" The United States of America. (I direct) James F. Kaserman Sarah J. Kaserman. Augusta. I Save A Tree Electronic Books

Transcription

1 Maine "Dirigo" (I direct) The United States of America James F. Kaserman Sarah J. Kaserman Augusta I Save A Tree Electronic Books C 2003 I Save A Tree Inc. ISBN# X

2 Table of Contents Location 5 History before statehood 7 History since statehood 9 State government 11 State flag 13 Current facts 15 Industry today 17 State landmarks 19 Weather and land 21 Animals in Maine 23 State bird 25 State tree 27 State flower 29 Famous people from Maine 31 Things to do in Maine 33 Popular sports in Maine 35 Fast facts 37 Glossary 39 Web sites / books for information 41 Index 43 Credits 45

3 Location Maine is a New England state. It forms the northeastern corner of the United States. Maine's southern coast is the Atlantic Ocean. On the east, north and northwest it is bordered by the country of Canada. The only state that borders Maine is New Hampshire, which forms the western border. Augusta is the capital of Maine. It is located in the southern part of the state. Augusta 6

4 History Before Statehood Colonial schooner Maine's earliest inhabitants were descendants of Ice Age hunters. They were hunters and gatherers. The Vikings, led by Leif Ericson, arrived around French explorers followed in1524, and then, in 1605, the English. Maine's shipbuilding industry was launched in 1607 with the first ship. The earliest naval battle of the Revolutionary War took place off the coast of Maine. American patriots captured a British schooner. The Maine territory separated from the Massachusetts colony in the early 1800s. Viking longboat 8

5 History Since Statehood Shipyard On March 15, 1820, Maine became the 23rd state to join the U.S. During the Civil War, Maine fought on the side of the North. After the war, the textile and leather industry grew. Maine developed waterpower with its fast running rivers. Old textile mill When the textile industry moved to the South in the 1920s, paper companies took their place. Large farms in Maine grew potatoes and sold dairy products. During World War II, shipbuilders produced cargo and combat ships. 10

6 Government Statecapitolbuilding The state government of Maine is dividedintothreebranches. Governor John Baldacci is head of the executivebranch. Thisbranchisin charge of carrying out the laws. The legislature has two parts, the Senate and House of Representatives. The third branchisthejudicialbranch. This branch interprets the laws. Mainehas16counties. Eachhasits own local government. Governor John Baldacci 12

7 State Flag Maine's state flag was adopted in The flag is blue with the state coat of arms. In the center, a moose rests under a tall pine tree. The tree represents the forests in the state. The moose, the state animal, represents wildlife. Also on the seal, a farmer and a seaman represent what people did in early times. The North Star stands for the state's northern location and the state motto, "Dirigo," meaning "I direct." 14

8 Current Facts Maine landscape Sail boats O ver 1,274,923 people live in Maine. The state is ranked the 40th largest state for the number of people living in it. Maine covers 30,865 square miles. It is ranked the 39th largest state in total area in the United States. Maine's nickname, the "Pine Tree State," comes from the pine trees that once dotted the state's forests. The coastline boasts so many deep harbors that all the navies in the world could anchor in them at one time. 16

9 Industry Today Maine lobster In agriculture, Maine produces 99% of all the blueberries in the United States. Maine potatoes are world renowned. Maine Farms are also famous for poultry and eggs, dairy products and cattle. Food processing employs many people in Maine. Seafood, especially lobsters, has made Maine world famous. Nearly 90% of the nation's lobster supply is caught off the coast of Maine. Maine is a leader in the manufacture of paper, lumber, electric equipment, shipbuilding and textiles. Tourism is now a top industry. Bluberries 18

10 Landmarks National Forest The White Mountain National Forest covers 800,000 acres. Acadia National Park is the second most visited park in the nation. The Penobscot Marine Museum houses many historic buildings and artifacts. It is located in Searsport. Burnham Tavern, where tourists met in 1775 to plan how to capture the British ship Margaretta, is a historic site that still stands. There are many legends and stories about pirates and buried treasure on some of Maine's many Islands. A 31-foot statue of the legendary Paul Bunyan is in Bangor, Maine. Paul Bunyan statue 20

11 Weather & Land Winter sunset Maine has cool weather. In the winter, Arctic air comes from the north and coastal areas making it very cold. Maine has only a few warm days in the summer. Maine's average temperature ranges from 67 in the summer to 24 Fahrenheit in winter. The average yearly precipitation is 40 inches. The Appalachian Mountains extend through the state. Maine has rugged terrain on the borders and long, sandy beaches on the southern coast. Maine beach 22

12 Animals In Maine Black bear cub The moose was named the state animal in A bull (the male) may stand 6 feet high and weigh more than 1,400 pounds.the males have broad, flattened antlers. The antlers are shed each year after the mating season. Moose, joined by black bear and deer, roam the northern part of the state. Bobcat, beaver, fox, mink, raccoon and skunk are also common. More than 320 kinds of birds live in Maine. Thousands also stop there in early spring and late fall. Moose 24

13 State Bird Chickadee The chickadee (Parus atricapillus) was named the state bird in It is a quick, small bird commonly seen in the woods and at backyard feeders. The black-capped chickadee is gray and white with a black head and throat. The chickadee eats beetles and other insects that can be harmful to farmers' crops. It's not unusual to see it hang upside down from a branch and catch its dinner. The chickadee's song sounds like its name. Chickadee 26

14 State Tree New sprouts White pine The eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) was named the state tree in It was the most important forest tree in North America until about The wood was used for houses and shipbuilding, especially ship masts. Some trees are 200 feet tall. It is considered the largest conifer in the northeastern U.S. The white pine has soft, blue-green needles that grow in bunches of five. 28

15 State Flower The pine cone and tassel from the white pine tree (Pinus strobus) was named the state flower in The woody cone is actually the fruit of the white pine tree. The cone is about 5 inches long, usually curved. It takes two years to mature. Cone scales are thin and never have prickles. Cones also have a fragrant, gummy resin. Pine cone and tassels Pine cone 30

16 Famous People Stephen King Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of America's most famous poets, was born in Portland. Longfellow wrote many poems; one of the most famous is called "The Song of Hiawatha." Senator Margaret Chase Smith from Maine was the first woman to be nominated to run for U.S. President. Edmund Muskie was also a famous senator and Presidential candidate from Maine. Other famous Mainers include author Stephen King, and publishers Cyrus Curtis, Frank Munsey, George Putnam and John Whitney. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 32

17 Things to Do Historic lighthouse In Maine Many people enjoy Maine's rugged beauty. Mountains, cliffs, lakes, rivers and streams are all popular with hikers and campers. Lighthouses dot the Maine coast. People visit Head Light, Fort Point and Grindle Point lighthouses, among others. The fishing villages to the north and sandy beaches in the south attract many visitors. The Penobscot Marine Museum is one of the most visited museums in New England. Boat races, fairs and festivals take place in the summer. Rock beaches 34

18 Sports In Maine Sailing Hockey is the state's favorite sport. The University of Maine's Black Bears are among the elite college hockey teams in the United States. Hockey is played in high-school and youth leagues as well. Hunting, fishing, hiking and camping are some of the individual sports that many enjoy in Maine. Sailing is also popular. Hockey 36

19 Rock beach Fast Facts Governor: John Baldacci Capital: Augusta Size: 30,865 square miles, 39th in the U.S. Population: 1,274,923 people, 40th in the U.S. Major cities: Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Lewiston, Portland, South Portland Nickname: "Pine Tree State" State animal: moose State bird: chickadee State flower: pine cone and tassel of the white pine State tree: white pine State song: "State of Maine Song" State motto: "Dirigo" (I direct) Pony 38

20 Glossary combat, intended for use or deployment in battle or war. elite, the choice or best of anything. gatherer, someone who harvests or picks wild flowers or food. lighthouse, a tall structure with a bright light on top used as a beacon or signal to ships. patriot, one who loves, supports, and defends his or her country. pirate, one who robs at sea or plunders on land from the sea without commission or permission of a nation. poem, a composition in verse. rugged, having a rough or irregular surface, rough. tassel, a bunch of loose threads or cords bound at one end and used for decoration; in plants, pollen-bearing inflorescence that resemble a tassle. textile, a cloth, fabric, or yarn manufactured by weaving or knitting. 40

21 Link1 Link2 Link3 Link4 Link5 Links & Books For more information Title: The World Book Encyclopedia Publisher: World Book, Inc. Copyright: 2002 Title: The Kid's World Almanac of the United States Author: Dr.Thomas G. Aylesworth Publisher: World Almanac Copyright: 1990 Title: Exploring the 50 States Author: Marcie Anderson Publisher: Willowisp Press, Inc. Copyright: 1983 Visit our 42

22 Index Augusta, 5 Ba ldacci, John, 11 chickadee, 25, 26 coast, 5, 8, 18, 22, 33 cone, pine, 29 harbor, 16 Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, 31 moose, 13, 23, 24 Penobscot Marine Museum, 19, 34 pine, white, 27, 28 Revolutionary War, 8 seafood, 17 ship, 8, 20, 27 Vikings, 7 44

23 Credits Written by James F. Kaserman Sarah J. Kaserman Edited by Linda Coyner Produced by Robert Rance Technologies Doug Meyers Design Dan Mader Photo credits Maine Department of Natural Resources I Save A Tree Inc. reserves the right to remove or exchange any photo/illustration at any time without notice. 46