Short answers, pulled from the story.
Maine became the 23rd state on the 15th of March 1820 under the Missouri Compromise. This separation from Massachusetts was approved by voters in 1819 and formalized through federal legislation that also enabled Missouri's admission to the Union.
The first European settlement arrived in 1604 on Saint Croix Island led by French explorer Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons. Samuel de Champlain accompanied this party and later became a noted explorer while the region was named Acadia by the French.
Over 80% of Maine's total area is forested or unclaimed making it the most forested state in the nation. The state contains almost half of New England's total land area yet remains the only state bordering exactly one other American state which is New Hampshire.
The original capital was Portland until moving to central Augusta in 1832. The principal office of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court remains in Portland today despite the administrative shift to Augusta.
As of 2024 Maine population stood at Census-estimated 1,400,000 representing highest-ever population estimate for the state. Population density measures 41.3 people per square mile making it least densely populated state east of Mississippi River.