The term Downeast hearkens back to the days when sailing ships that wanted to land on the Maine coast had to beat prevailing southwest winds by sailing downwind to the eastern harbors.

DOWNEAST/ACADIA at a Glance Counties: Hancock, Washington Area: 4158 sq. mi. HANCOCK COUNTY Population: 51,791 Major towns and cities: Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Bucksport Average house price: $237,164 Average rental price: Two bedroom $531 WASHINGTON COUNTY Population: 33,941 Major towns and cities: Calais, Machias, Baileyville, Lubec, Eastport Average house price $119,218 Average rental price: Two bedroom $489 Sources

Downeast Maine is home to Washington County, with its miles of rugged shores. This county is known as the "Sunrise County." It is claimed that this is where the sun first rises in the United States. This is the least traveled coastal region in Maine, a place where tradition is great

Washington County is home to Maine's blueberry industry. There is also cranberry growing in this region. Of course, fishing is also a major industry on the coast.

In the Census special section, you can find data on Washington County

The other county in this region is Hancock County, which is just south of Washington County. This region is referred to as coastal Acadia. The term Acadia was most likely termed in 1524 by the explorer, Giocanni Verrazano. The shorline reminded him of a part of Greece called Arcadia, so he called this part of Maine Acadia.

The most travelled places in Hancock county are the town of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. These two places attract over three million visitors a year combined.

Bar Harbor is a coastal town that has a great influx of tourists in the summer season. It is also home to the College of the Atlantic, an environment school.

Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island. It has 42,250 acres of beautiful islands, forests, lakes and seashores. It is home to Cadillac Mountain, the tallest summit on the eastern seaboard. It is by far one of the nation's finest national parks.

In the Census special section, you can find data on Hancock County

In the Travel section, you can read more about the Downeast/Acadia region

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Southern Coast Region York Greater Portland Region Cumberland Midcoast Region Knox Lincoln Sagadahoc Waldo Downeast/Acadia Region Hancock Washington Western Lakes & Mountains Region Androscoggin Cumberland Franklin Oxford Kennebec Region Kennebec Somerset Katahdin / Moosehead Region Penobscot Piscataquis Aroostook Region Aroostook

CENSUS 2000
An ongoing special report on the census information and how it affects Maine's cities and towns. We've got news, analysis, charts, maps and more.