Maine Quality > Just The Facts

Just the Facts…

These Maine and Regional facts and information may be of interest!

• Weather & Climate:  Contrary to popular belief, Maine is not a cold or dreary place!  Maine has four beautiful seasons – Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.  All with their own appeal.  

• Maine has one of the most comfortable summer climates in the Northeast.  Average temps in the 70’s with 90’s being rare

• Winters are cold, but not for extended periods.  Sure, we get to zero and below in the dead of winter but not for prolonged periods.  The coldest temps are in the interior mountain areas – which is great for skiing and snow-making!

• Fall is beautiful!  Some of the most amazing foliage can be seen in the fall and temperatures are comfortable.

• Spring is, well, mud season.  It doesn’t last long and is just the beginning of a beautiful summer season.

• Coastal areas have temperatures that can be a bit moderate due to the proximity to the ocean; inland areas often have a different weather pattern.

• The snowiest month is January!

• Tornadoes and earthquakes are rare.

• There are about 15 thunderstorms per year and annual precipitation of 40-46 inches

• Annual snowfall levels vary from 50”-70” on the coast to 90” to 110” inland

• Nor’easters occasionally occur on the coast bringing heavy snows of 10 inches or more in a single day.

• It’s in the Numbers

• Population: 1,274,923

Largest city, by population: Portland, 64,249
Population of the state capital, Augusta: 18,560
Smallest municipality, by population: Hibberts Gore, 1
Size, in square miles: 33,215
Miles of public highways: 21,000
Number of coastal islands: 2,000
Length of coastline, in miles: 3,500
Acres of forest: 17 million
Height of Katahdin, Maine's tallest mountain and terminus of the Appalachian Trail, in feet above sea level: 5,268

• Maine’s area code is 207

• Interesting Tidbits

• State Capital is Augusta

• Governor:  Paul LePage 

• Sales Tax is 5%

• Lodging Tax is 7%

• Maine has 16 counties.  The smallest is Sagadahoc (250 sq miles) and the largest is Aroostook (6,672 sq miles)

• State Gemstone is Tourmaline.  Yes! We have a mine in Maine.

• State Cat is the Maine Coon Cat

• Maine animal is the Moose

• State Motto is “Dirigo” which means I Lead

• State Tree is white pine

• State Emblem is white pine cone and tassel

• State Bird is the Chickadee

• State Fish is the Landlocked Salmon

• State Insect is the Honeybee

• State Fossil is Pertica quadrifaria.  Pertica quadrifaria is the scientific name of a primitive plant that lived about 390 million years ago during the Devonian Period. Its fossilized remains were discovered in 1968 in the rocks of the Trout Valley Formation in Baxter State Park near Mount Katahdin. (From the Maine Geological Survey, Maine Department of Conservation)

• Maine is nearly as big as the other five New England states combined!

• Maine was, at one time, part of Massachusetts until 1820

• Licenses, Taxes, Fees

• Driver’s License Info

• Minimum age for driver’s permit is 15; for driver’s license is 16.  Anyone under 21 receives a provisional license for two years

• Photo License (6 year license) - $30.00 for a class C license and $41.00 for a commercial drivers' license.

• The only test you need to take when converting an out-of-state license to a Maine license is a vision test. No driving or written tests required. You will need to pay a $10 application fee in addition to the $30 license fee.

• You may obtain your license at a Motor Vehicle Branch or “mobile” unit.  The state makes it easy to renew your license by letting you get your renewal at many Rite-Aid stores throughout the state or on-line.  Check out the  Bureau of Motor Vehicle's  website for more information.

• Cars, Snowmobiles, ATV’s, Boats

• A registration fee for passenger vehicles is $25.  For $20 more you can have a “vanity” plate.

• Excise Tax is paid annually when you register your vehicle. This tax goes to the municipality and varies according to the value and age of your vehicle. The price ranges from $4 to $24 per $1000 of value. This is a tax which often surprises newcomers to Maine.  You will need proof of insurance when registering you car!

• FYI – it’s up to you to remember to register your car.  You won’t get a renewal notice.  You have to register your car at any Bureau of Motor Vehicle location or your town/city office.  You can also renew your registration on line.  Just go to Online Rapid- Renewal Registration Renewal to save time. 

• Snowmobile and ATV registrations are handled through the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, located in Augusta.  Boats are also registered through this department, but some towns and cities can also handle these registrations.  Your best bet is to check-out the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website to get the most current information on fees and registration locations.  Just a note – fees will vary by type of water vehicle.

• County Government.  Maine has 16 counties from the very small Sagahadoc to the very large Aroostook.  Regional counties include:

• Kennebec County

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  • Population:  117,114

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  • Square Miles:  868

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  • County Seat:  Augusta

• Somerset County

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  • Population:  50,888

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  • Square Miles:  3,927

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  • County Seat:  Skowhegan

• Waldo County

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  • Population: 36,280

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  • Square Miles:  730

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  • County Seat:  Belfast

• Getting here from there

• Maine has two major airports.  Portland International Jetport and Bangor International Airport

• Driving distances to Portland to Boston (111 miles), Hartford, CT (201 miles), New York City (328 miles), Chicago (1053 miles).  Not so far!

•  Colleges & Universities in and around Central Maine

• Bates College

• Bowdoin College

• Colby College

• Kennebec Valley Community College

• Thomas College

• Unity College

• University of Maine – several campuses

• Health Care

• There are 39 acute care and specialty hospitals in Maine as well as several government and military related facilities.  Quality Health care is never far away.  In the area:

• MaineGeneral Hospital

• Inland Hospital

• Central Maine Medical Center

• St. Mary’s Medical Center

• Eastern Maine Medical Center

• Sebasticook Valley Hospital

• Redington Fairview Hospital

• Check the website of the Maine Hospital Association for more information on hospitals in Maine-size, background, maps.