The true origin of the name “Maine” can no longer be determined today. It may have its origins in the old French province of Maine, where the city of Le Mans is located. But it could also come from the area of ​​seafaring and simply mean mainland, i. e. mainland. In any case, the name “Province of Maine” was already established in 1665 by the plenipotentiary of the French king. The first European settlements were established by the French in 1604, followed by the English in 1607. Over the years, however, the settlements were largely abandoned due to the harsh climate and numerous Indian attacks. By the beginning of the 18th century, only half a dozen settlements remained in Maine. For a long time, the country was an exclave of Massachusetts, until Maine joined the Union as the 23rd state on March 15, 1820 due to the population that had increased significantly in the meantime. The main agricultural products are poultry, eggs, dairy products, cattle, blueberries, apples and maple syrup. Maine is also the largest blueberry producer in the world, accounting for 25% of the entire US harvest. Industrial products are mainly paper, wood, electronics, leather goods, textiles and biotechnology. Shipbuilding is still one of the most important industries in the state. Tourism and outdoor activities are becoming increasingly important in Maine. Sport fishing and hunting (mainly wild boar, elk and bear) are particularly popular. Other activities include snowmobiling, skiing, boating, canoeing, camping and hiking. Check topschoolsoflaw.com for brief history of the state of Maine.