Maine's coast can be neatly divided along geological lines. South of Portland, the seaboard is relatively straight and unbroken, studded with expansive sand beaches at historic resort communities like York Beach, Ogunquit, and Kennebunkport. (While the swimming is enjoyable, in-water sessions tend to be brief: the ocean rarely tops 60 degrees even in August.) North and east of Portland, the coastline is defined by a series of rockbound peninsulas and points that jut out into the sea. Because of the irregular topography, direct coastal driving routes are rare, and once off Route 1 travel here still feels more like exploring than touring.

Yet Maine is more than its coast. It's a huge state by regional standards--as big as the five other New England states combined. Northern Maine extends far, far to the north--Portland is closer to Manhattan than it is to Madawaska, Maine's northernmost town. In the north and the west, one finds a mix of commercial timberlands, brawny mountains, and azure lakes. The North Woods are internationally noted for excellent canoeing and fishing.

Maine is a state of small cities and towns. The largest city--Portland--has a population of just 65,000 (about twice that if you include the suburbs). Other cities include Lewiston, Auburn, and Bangor, but the population of these four cities combined is only about 150,000. That means that seven out of eight Mainers live in smaller towns (mostly along the coast) like Brunswick, Bath, Rockland, and Ellsworth.

Maine is unique among the northeastern states for its continued dependence on the land and sea to support its economy. Timber companies own and manage much of the North Woods, and numerous lobster boats still prowl offshore ledges and islands. Because much of the land base is still productive and undeveloped by residential or industrial development, wildlife in the state is abundant. It's not uncommon to see black bear, moose, Eastern coyote, and a variety of intriguing birds, including bald eagles, loons, razorbills, and puffins.