At approximately 30,861 square miles, Maine is the 39th-largest state in the United States. Its most populous city is Portland. According to the United States Census Bureau, Maine had a population of 1,318,301 people as of 2009. The highest point of elevation in the state is Mt. Katahdin.
Maine's economy is largely dependent on agriculture, ship building, fishing, footwear, machinery, electronics and tourism. Its primary agricultural product is potatoes, and its primary fisheries product is lobsters.
Arcadia National Park is the second-most visited national park. Arcadia contains mountains, lake, streams, forests, the ocean and islands. Maine has more than 60 lighthouses along its rocky coastline. The most famous lighthouse is the Portland Head Light, which was built from 1787-1790, making it Maine's oldest lighthouse. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's childhood home can be found in Portland. The oldest brick residence in Portland was built from 1785-1786.
Maine has a set of state symbols. Its state animal is the moose, and the state bird is the black-capped chickadee. The state flower is the white pine cone and tassel, while the state berry is the wild blueberry. Maine's official flag consists of a deep blue field with the state's coat of arms in the center. The coat of arms depicts a farmer and a seaman, with a shield between them. On the shield is a pine tree, a moose, green grass, a blue sky, and dark blue water. Above this is a yellow star and a red ribbon containing the word, "Dirigo," which means "I direct" in Latin. Below, on a large blue ribbon, is the word "Maine."
Many famous actors and authors were born or lived in Maine. Some of the famous actors include Patrick Dempsey and Judd Nelson. Famous authors include Stephen King, Harriet Beecher Stowe and E.B. White.
