Maine: The Only U.S. State Bordering Just One Other State

Maine's Borders

• West/Southwest: **New Hampshire** (land border ~60 mi / 97 km) — defined by Piscataqua River, Salmon Falls River, and a straight survey line.
• North/Northeast: **Quebec, Canada** (land border ~350 mi) — St. Francis River, Highlands, Saint John River.
• East/Southeast: **New Brunswick, Canada** (land border ~200 mi) — St. Croix River, Chiputneticook Lakes, Saint John River.
• South: **Atlantic Ocean** (Gulf of Maine) — 3,500+ mi of tidal coastline (most in U.S. after Alaska/Florida/Louisiana).

Why Only One State Border?

• **Geography:** Maine occupies the **northeastern tip** of the contiguous U.S., jutting into the Maritimes.
• **History:** Northern border settled by **Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842)** resolving the "Aroostook War" with UK/Canada. Southern border with NH fixed by 1740 royal decree + 2001 Supreme Court ruling (Piscataqua River boundary).
• **No other U.S. state reaches this far northeast.** Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut all stop short.

Comparison

• Alaska & Hawaii: 0 state borders.
• All other 47 states: Border 2–8 states (Tennessee/Missouri: 8 each).
• Maine: **Exactly 1** (New Hampshire).

This geographic uniqueness shapes Maine's identity: **maritime, borderland, distinctively "Down East."**