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Western Lakes and Mountains | |
|---|---|
| Composition | |
| Largest city | Lewiston |
| Area | |
• Total | 4,957 sq mi (12,840 km2) |
| • Land | 4,710 sq mi (12,200 km2) |
| • Water | 247 sq mi (640 km2) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 264,754 |
| • Density | 56.2/sq mi (21.7/km2) |
| Demonym | Westerner |
The Western Lakes and Mountains region spans most ofMaine's western border withNew Hampshire. A small part of the scenicWhite Mountain National Forest is located in this area. The region consists ofOxford County,Androscoggin County,Franklin County, as well as northernYork and interiorCumberland counties. The largest cities in the region areLewiston andAuburn. Notable towns includeBethel,Bridgton,Oxford,Rangeley, andRumford. Many of the state's highest peaks arelocated in the region, although the highest,Mount Katahdin, is not.
The area is known for its crystal clear lakes and scenic hiking trails in the summer. Fall can also bring tourists who come to see the brilliantAutumn leaf color provided by the region's maple-dominated forestry. In the winter, skiing becomes the region's largest attraction. This region has many resorts and ski areas to choose from, including Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton, Sunday River in Bethel, Black Mountain in Rumford, Saddleback Mountain in Rangeley, and Sugarloaf inCarrabassett Valley. The economy in these areas is largely based on seasonal activities and tourism.
TheAppalachian National Scenic Trail passes through this region, and the portion that passes through the region'sMahoosuc Notch is popularly considered by hikers to be the most difficult mile of the entire trail.[1]
| Name | County | Population (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn | Androscoggin | 24,061 |
| Bethel | Oxford | 2,504 |
| Bridgton | Cumberland | 5,418 |
| Casco | Cumberland | 3,646 |
| Dixfield | Oxford | 2,253 |
| Farmington | Franklin | 7,592 |
| Fryeburg | Oxford | 3,369 |
| Gray | Cumberland | 8,269 |
| Greene | Androscoggin | 4,376 |
| Jay | Franklin | 4,620 |
| Kingfield | Franklin | 960 |
| Lewiston | Androscoggin | 37,121 |
| Lisbon | Androscoggin | 9,711 |
| Livermore Falls | Androscoggin | 5,187[a] |
| Mechanic Falls | Androscoggin | 3,107 |
| Mexico | Oxford | 2,756 |
| Naples | Cumberland | 3,925 |
| Norway | Oxford | 5,077 |
| Oxford | Oxford | 4,229 |
| Paris | Oxford | 6,945[b] |
| Porter | Oxford | 1,600 |
| Rangeley | Franklin | 1,222 |
| Rumford | Oxford | 5,858 |
| Sabattus | Androscoggin | 5,044 |
| Standish | Cumberland | 10,244 |
| Turner | Androscoggin | 5,817 |
| Wilton | Franklin | 3,835 |
| Windham | Cumberland | 18,434 |
Augusta (capital) | |
| Topics | |
| Society | |
| Regions | |
| Metropolitan areas | |
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