The Maine coastal lowlands can be found mostly in the southeastern part of the state, and extend about 10 to 20 miles inland from the coast. At some points, though, they completely disappear. For example, Mt. Desert Island, which is located in southern Maine, is actually the highest elevation on the Atlantic coast north of Brazil. The coastal lowlands are typified by salt marshes, sandy beaches, tidal creeks and bays. The coastal lowlands are at sea level, and also include Maine's many coastal islands, of which Maine has nearly 3,000, according to the website Waterfront Properties of Maine.
The mountainous region of Maine, also known as the White Mountain Region, is located mostly in western portion of the state, and also represents the northeastern end of the Appalachian Mountain system. The Appalachian Trail head, or the northern terminus, is located on Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park. But there are other mountains to be found in Maine. Mt. Cadillac, located on Mt. Desert Island, is a coastal mountain that is the highest elevation on the Atlantic coast north of Rio de Janeiro. It is also the first place to see the sunrise in the U.S. from October to March, according to the website Acadia Magic. Maine boasts nine mountain peaks that are higher than 4,000 ft.
Also known as the Eastern Uplands, this region occupies a 20 to 50 mile-wide area that sits northwest of the coastal lowlands. The region rises westward from sea level to about 2,000 ft. This region is typified by very fertile farmland where Maine's famous potatoes are grown.
The technical definition of a peninsula is an area of land that's surrounded on three sides by water. According to the website All Refer, Maine has 10 peninsulas along its coastline. Many of them are resort areas, and Schoodic Peninsula is part of Acadia National Park in the southern part of the state. The Ecological Society of America reports that Maine peninsulas are very diverse and rich in terms of plant life.
