Maine is a US state within the region of New England. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the south, and Canada to the east and north. Maine is the most rural state in the United States and the largest state by area in the New England region. The capital of Maine is Augusta and the largest city is Portland.
Maine was originally a part of Massachusetts prior to 1820, when it was separated into its own state as part of the Missouri Compromise, which also birthed the state of Missouri.
With a population of 1,405,012 as of 2025, Maine is the 9th smallest US state by population. Most of Maine’s population lives within the vicinity of Portland. The region known as Greater Portland has been gentrified into a more urban area, given Southern Maine the nickname “North Massachusetts”.
Maine’s northern and central regions are more rural and forested. This part of Maine is home to the smaller cities of Lewiston, Bangor, Skowhegan, Presque Isle, Waterville, Bar Harbor, and the state capital; Augusta. This region is also homed to Acadia National Park, the only national park in New England.