*Cover photo originally Created by @Kwiksatik , added some relevant pictures related to Maine using free pics of lighthouse and lobster from pixabay, picture of moose shot in Yellowstone by @jayasimha78 *
Congratulations to @Denise_Barlock and @Kwiksatik for starting the #StateChallenge two years back, I joined the team last year. It’s going to be two years anniversary next week. First #StateChallenge was about Maine two years back, so we are revisiting Maine as part of two year anniversary celebration.
Personally I have visited Maine couple of times, once on a personal trip and once on a business trip, however it is more than 25 years back. So it is time for me to revisit Maine as well!. One thing I distinctly remember from the business trip was my coworker buying few live lobsters and bringing them as a carryon on our flight back to San Jose, CA.
Let us revisit Maine with some facts now:
Maine Facts
Maine is a classic New England state complete with a rocky coast, fishing harbors, lighthouses, and tall pine trees. There are also lakes, forests, and wildlife including rainbow trout and moose.
But Maine’s attractions aren’t only outdoors: It’s also home to historic attractions, art museums, and much more!
Quick Facts
Capital: Augusta
Population: 1.4 million
Nickname: The Pine Tree State
Cities: Portland, Augusta, Bangor, Bar Harbor
Abbreviation: ME
Major Industries: Paper, agriculture, fishing, lumber, textiles
History
How did Maine get its name: It’s not clear exactly how Maine got its name. The name first appeared in writing in 1622, and it’s probably a sailing term referring to the state being a “mainland” that is separate from the many nearby islands.
Date admitted to the Union: Wednesday, March 15, 1820
Geography
Size: 35,385 sq. miles
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean at sea level
Highest point: Katahdin at 5,268 feet
Counties: 16
Famous locations: Acadia National Park, Kennebunkport, Boothbay Harbor, Portland Museum of Art, Maine Maritime Museum, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Famous Mainers
Anna Kendrick- actress
Patrick Dempsey- actor
Stephen King- author
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow- poet
Margaret Chase Smith- politician
Victoria Rowell- actress
Fun Facts
As stated in coolkidsfact.com
- "Eastport, Maine is the most eastern city in the United States. It’s the first place in the United States to receive morning sunshine.
- Maine is the only state in the country with a one-syllable name.
- It’s also the only state that shares its border with just one other state.
- We all have Maine to thank for lobsters, blueberries, and toothpicks. About 90% of the country’s lobster supply is caught off the coast of Maine. That’s about 40 million pounds of lobster!
Picture of lobster from pixabay
- The state also produces 99% of all the blueberries in the U.S. and 90% of the country’s toothpick supply.
- Maine’s official state animal is the moose. It has the highest moose population in the country, with about 76,000 moose roaming the state.
Picture of moose shot by @jayasimha78 in Yellow Stone National Park, not from Maine!
- Although Maine has several well-known art museums, it’s also home to a few museums that are more…unique. These include the Maine Coast Sardine History Museum, the Umbrella Cover Museum, and the International Cryptozoology Museum. It’s dedicated to studying mysterious animals like Bigfoot, Yetis, and Lake Monsters.
- Maine is known for its freezing winters and is one of the ten coldest states in the nation. The state’s coldest day ever was in January of 2009, when temperatures reached -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Big Black River."
Weird Laws
As stated in linelaw.com
"1. Bring your shotguns to church During the 17th and 18th centuries,
the French, English and Native Abenaki fought over land in what is now Maine territory. They conducted raids against each other, taking captives for ransom or, in some cases, adoption by Native American tribes. Things got so bad that the English settlers were required by law to carry a gun at all times including during church services just in case the Abenaki strike.
- No gambling at the airport
If you and your friends fancy a game of poker while waiting for a flight at the Biddeford Municipal Airport, you may want to hold on to those cards. Biddeford law prohibits people from being intoxicated, disorderly or engaging in any form of gambling or committing any act constituting a nuisance at the airport.
- City laws supersede federal and state laws.
In Ellsworth, Maine, laws that are found to be in conflict with state or federal ordinances or regulations the more stringent law shall prevail.
- Don’t park in front of Dunkin’ Donuts
The city of South Berwick has an ordinance that makes it illegal to park a vehicle at any time on Main St. (West) In front of Dunkin’ Donuts to a point 25 feet south.
- Don’t sell mercury thermometers in Freeport
This law from the town of Freeport in Cumberland County states that “A person shall not sell or supply (including online retail) mercury fever thermometers to consumers and patients, except by prescription.” When starting a business in Maine, you need to understand the rules that the state imposes on businesses. Perhaps these guides on how to start an LLC in Maine and how to find a great registered agent in Maine can help you avoid any legal issues when opening or doing business in the state.
- Don’t feed the deer In the town of Wells,
York County, no person, except for the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife or his/her designee or the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or his/her designee is allowed to feed or bait deer.
- No advertisements in cemeteries
Still in the town of Wells, as part of the town’s laws on prohibited acts, it is illegal for anyone to post any signs except those incidental to the operation of the cemetery, or erect placards or advertisements except historical markers in a cemetery area.
- No roller-skating on sidewalks
Back to Biddeford, skating or riding a bicycle on any sidewalk within the town limits is prohibited. Anyone who is caught violating this law will be punished by a fine of not more than $10.00."
References: coolkidfacts.com, linelaw.com
This post is part of #StateChallenge meetups organized by @Denise_Barlock and @jayasimha78