Cumberland County, Maine is a picturesque region located in the southern part of the state. The county encompasses nearly 2,000 square miles and is home to a population of over 280,000 people.
The geography of Cumberland County is quite diverse. The eastern portion of the county is part of the Maine Coast, which features sandy beaches and rocky shorelines that are popular with visitors from around the world. Moving inland, the terrain becomes more hilly and wooded as it transitions into the foothills of Maine’s White Mountains.
The western portion of Cumberland County is dominated by forested areas and rolling hills interspersed with lakes and ponds. This area is popular for outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking. In addition to its natural beauty, this region also offers numerous recreational facilities such as golf courses, ski resorts, and amusement parks.
The climate in Cumberland County ranges from humid continental in the western part to humid subtropical in the east due to its proximity to both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream. Summers are typically warm with temperatures reaching into the 80s while winters are cold with temperatures dropping below freezing on occasion.
Overall, Cumberland County offers its residents a variety of landscapes ranging from coastal beaches to wooded hillsides that provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration. With its mild climate and abundance of natural beauty, Cumberland County is an ideal place for anyone looking for an escape from city life or who wants to take advantage of all that Maine has to offer.
Country Seat and Other Main Cities of Cumberland County, Maine
Cumberland County, Maine is the state’s most populous county and its county seat is Portland. Portland is a major port city located on the western coast of Maine and has a population of over 67,000 people. The city has numerous cultural attractions such as the Portland Museum of Art, the Maine Historical Society, and a variety of restaurants and shops. In addition to its vibrant downtown area, Portland also offers miles of waterfront along Casco Bay that is perfect for taking in stunning views or enjoying outdoor activities such as kayaking or fishing.
The largest city in Cumberland County outside of Portland is South Portland. This bustling suburb has a population of over 25,000 people and features numerous parks and recreational facilities such as Bug Light Park and Willard Beach. South Portland also offers easy access to nearby beaches like Crescent Beach State Park or Scarborough Beach State Park for those who want to enjoy some sun and sand without venturing too far from home. See cities in Maine.
Other cities within Cumberland County include Falmouth, Windham, Yarmouth, Westbrook, Gorham, Gray and Cape Elizabeth. Falmouth is located on the eastern coast of Cumberland County near Casco Bay and features numerous marinas that are popular with boaters from around the region. Windham is another small suburb located just north of Portland that has grown significantly in recent years due to its proximity to the city’s downtown area. Yarmouth is known for its old-fashioned charm with many historic homes still standing in town while Westbrook offers access to the Presumpscot River which provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation like canoeing or kayaking.
Overall, Cumberland County has a wide range of towns that provide something unique for everyone who visits or lives there. From bustling port cities like Portland to quaint suburbs like Yarmouth or small rural towns like Gray or Cape Elizabeth – there’s always something special waiting to be discovered in Cumberland County.
History of Cumberland County, Maine
Cumberland County, Maine has a history that dates back to the 1700s. The county was established in 1760 when it was separated from York County and named after William, Duke of Cumberland. The county boundaries have remained largely unchanged since its creation and today it is home to over 280,000 people.
The first settlers in Cumberland County arrived in the early 1700s. These settlers were primarily of English descent and were attracted to the area by its abundance of natural resources such as timber and fish. The first town to be settled was Falmouth, which was established in 1718. Other towns soon followed, including Portland (1786), South Portland (1788), Yarmouth (1783), Westbrook (1813), Gorham (1819), Gray (1822), and Cape Elizabeth (1812).
Throughout the 19th century, Cumberland County grew significantly due to its location on Casco Bay which made it an ideal port for trade with other parts of New England as well as Europe. This prosperity continued into the 20th century with many industries flourishing in the area including shipbuilding, textiles, leather goods, lumbering and fishing.
In addition to its economic importance during this period of growth, Cumberland County is also known for its role during World War II when Fort Williams was constructed near Cape Elizabeth in 1941 to protect Portland Harbor from enemy attack. During this time the county also saw an influx of military personnel stationed at various bases throughout the area including South Portland Army Air Field which later became known as the Portland International Jetport.
Today Cumberland County remains an important economic hub within Maine with tourism playing a major role in driving economic growth through attractions such as Old Orchard Beach or Freeport’s world-famous L.L Bean store. With its rich history and abundance of natural resources – there’s something special waiting for everyone who visits or lives in Cumberland County.
Economy of Cumberland County, Maine
The economy of Cumberland County, Maine is primarily driven by tourism, as well as a number of other industries. Tourism is the largest contributor to the local economy, with visitors coming from all over the world to experience the natural beauty and attractions in the area. The most popular tourist destinations include Old Orchard Beach, Freeport’s world-famous L.L Bean store, Portland’s many cultural attractions and diverse waterfront dining options, and Casco Bay Islands State Park.
In addition to tourism, Cumberland County also offers a variety of other industries that have contributed to its economic growth throughout history. These include shipbuilding, textiles, leather goods manufacturing, lumbering and fishing. Shipbuilding has been an important part of Cumberland County since its founding in 1760 and continues to be a major industry today. Textiles have been manufactured in the area since 1820 when the first mill was built in Westbrook and leather goods have been produced since 1825 when Gorham Tannery opened its doors. Lumbering has been an important part of Cumberland County since colonial days and continues to be an important industry today with several sawmills operating throughout the county. Finally, fishing has been an important part of life for many generations in Cumberland County with lobsters being one of the main catches for both commercial and recreational fishermen alike.
Cumberland County also boasts a thriving agricultural industry with local farms producing fruits, vegetables, dairy products, eggs and more for sale at farmers markets throughout Maine or direct from farm stands located throughout the county. The cultural arts are also alive in Cumberland County with numerous theaters offering live performances year round as well as numerous galleries exhibiting works from local artists throughout Portland’s Arts District or at venues such as The Portland Museum of Art or Maine College of Art.
Finally, technology is beginning to play a more prominent role in Cumberland County’s economic growth as well with new tech companies setting up shop in Portland’s Bayside neighborhood or throughout South Portland Industrial Park providing high-paying jobs for local residents while also contributing to economic growth through taxes paid on business profits and wages earned by employees working at these companies.
Overall, there is no doubt that Cumberland County offers something special for everyone who visits or lives here – its rich history combined with its abundance of natural resources provides an ideal backdrop for economic success while providing visitors with plenty of opportunities to explore all that this beautiful corner of Maine has to offer.