USA Maine - The People : USA  

USA Maine - The People - Travel guide

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USA Maine - The People

The People

The earliest permanent European settlers in Maine came from western England. They were soon followed by the Scots-Irish and by a number of Quakers, or Friends, from the other New England colonies. In the 1740s Germans settled in Waldboro, and soon afterward many Irish Roman Catholics moved to York, Lincoln, and Cumberland counties. The French, who controlled much of Maine's territory until 1759, were not active colonists. However, a number of families of French Huguenots settled along the coast.

Caucasians comprise the vast majority of Maine's residents, representing 96.9 percent of the people in 2000. Another 0.7 percent are Asians, 0.6 percent are Native Americans, 0.5 percent are blacks, and 1.2 percent are of mixed heritage or did not report ethnicity. Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders numbered 382. Hispanics, who may be of any race, represent 0.7 percent of the people. Native Americans in present-day Maine belong to either the Passamaquoddy or Penobscot tribe.

The 1998 census put Maine's population at 1,244,000. The State Capital is Augusta, other major cities or towns include Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, Auburn, South Portland, Biddeford, Augusta, Westbrook, Waterville and Saco.