Maine's blueberry harvest is the largest in the nation, yielding almost all the low bush blueberries grown in the United States. Potatoes are a major product of Maine, growing well in the cool north. And the state is famous for delicious shellfish, too, especially clams and the famous Maine lobster. Maine's yearly lobster catch is larger than any other state.

THE NAME: It is really not known how the name for this state originated. One theory suggests that the state was named by French colonists after the French province of Mayne. Another mentions that "Main" was a common term to describe a mainland. Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994

THE NICKNAMES: The Pine Tree State: This common nickname for Maine is given because of the extensive pine forests that have covered the state. The White Pine is considered to be the largest conifer in the northeastern United States and some of the tallest trees in eastern North America grew in Maine. The White Pine has played an important part in the history of Maine and has been afforded appropriate recognition. In the early days of colonization, the tall White Pines of Maine were valued for ship's masts. When Maine chose a state floral emblem in 1895, it chose the White Pine Cone and Tassel. As you might guess, the White Pine Cone and Tassel is not, biologically, a flower. The pine cone is known as a strobilus. In fact, one could say that Maine is the only state to have an Official State Strobilus. The White Pine, the Official State Tree, is also present on the Great Seal of Maine and, by way of the seal, on the State Flag. According to Dave Martucci, the first Official State Flag, adopted in 1901, displayed a tall pine tree in the center of the flag and a blue polar star in the upper left-hand corner. The Lumber State: Maine has been a leading producer of lumber products. Because of this and the large number of people involved in the lumber industry, Maine has been called "The Lumber State." Today, almost 89% of the state is forested. Maine is currently the home of many of the largest paper producing mills in the country. Many forms of Maine paper products are used in schools and offices throughout the country. The Border State: This nickname was given to Maine because its northern border is with Canada. The Old Dirigo State: This nickname, refers to Maine's State Motto, Dirigo, meaning "I direct" or "I guide." The Switzerland of America: Maine is another state that was designated "The Switzerland of America" because of its mountains and snowfall. The Polar Star State: Maine has been called "The Polar Star State" because of its position as one of the northernmost states and because of the North Star on its Coat of Arms. Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994 Shankle, George Earlie, Phd State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers and Other Symbols H. H. Wilson Company, New York - 1938 (Reprint) Martucci, Dave, Maine State Symbols, (http://www.midcoast.com/~martucci/flags/maine/), October 21, 2002

THE CITIZENS: People who live in or come from Maine are called Mainers. Variants of this are Maine Staters and State of Mainers. You may also hear Mainers referred to as Down Easters (because of the eastern longitudes of the state). In days gone by, people who lived in the area now defined as Maine may also have been referred to by a number of other nicknames: Foxes - Mainers were sometimes referred to as Foxes because of the abundance of foxes roaming the pine forests in which Mainers often worked. Lumberjacks/Lumbermen - Because of the vast timber resources of Maine, one of the cheif occupations of Mainers was lumbering. Pine Trees - Somewhat funny to think about, but residents of the Pine Tree State were sometimes referred to as pine trees themeselves.

THE QUARTER: The Maine quarter is the third quarter of 2003, and the 23rd in the 50 State Quarters® Program. Maine became the 23rd state to be admitted into the Union, as part of the Missouri Compromise on March 15, 1820. The Maine quarter design incorporates a rendition of the Pemaquid Point Light atop a granite coast and of a schooner at sea.. Pemaquid Point Light is located in New Harbor, and marks the entrance to Muscongus Bay and Johns Bay. Since the beginning of ship activity in the area, a shoal created hazardous navigation conditions, causing many shipwrecks. As maritime trade increased in the area, so did the need for a lighthouse. In 1826, Congress appropriated funds to build a lighthouse at Pemaquid Point. Although the original building was replaced in 1835, and the original 10 lamps in 1856, the light is still a beacon for ships and remains one of Maine's most popular tourist attractions. The schooner resembles "Victory Chimes, " the last three-masted schooner of the Windjammer Fleet. "Victory Chimes" has become synonymous with Maine windjamming. For more on the state commemorative quarters, visit this page. This 50 State Quarter Map is a great way to collect and display all 50 State Quarters.