Population 9,402 (2013) Area 77.60 sq mi | State Maine | |
Presque Isle is the commercial center and largest city in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. The population was 9,692 at the 2010 census. The city is home to the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Northern Maine Community College, Husson University, Presque IsleNorthern Maine Fairgrounds, The Aroostook Centre Mall, and the Northern Maine Regional Airport.
Contents
Map of Presque Isle, Maine
Presque Isle is the headquarters of the federally recognized tribe, the Aroostook Band of Micmac.
History
Originally known as Fairbanks for its founder Dennis Fairbanks, it was settled in 1828 in land that was unknown to be part of British North America (Canada) or the United States. The Aroostook War broke out in 1838 because of boundary disputes between the two countries, which were resolved in 1842 by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. The township was incorporated from Plantations F, G and H on April 4, 1859 as Presque Isle, the French term for peninsula (presquile), as the courses of the Aroostook River and Presque Isle Stream form a peninsula here. In 1864, Fairmount Cemetery was established in the south of Presque Isle to accommodate Union soldiers returning from the Civil War. In 1883, the town of Maysville was annexed.
On January 1, 1940, Presque Isle was incorporated as a city.
Geography and climate
Presque Isle is located at 46°40?46?N 68°0?8?W (46.679321, ?68.002166).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 77.60 square miles (200.98 km2), of which 75.76 square miles (196.22 km2) is land and 1.84 square miles (4.77 km2) is water. Presque Isle is drained by the Aroostook River and Presque Isle Stream.
Presque Isle has a humid continental climate (Koppen: Dfb) typified by long cold winters and short warm summers.
Economy
Due to being Aroostook Countys largest city, Presque Isle is the retail center for a large number of both American and Canadian towns. The Aroostook Centre Mall became a major shopping center for residents during the 1990s. A Super Wal-Mart center also attracts a large number of shoppers. Agriculture remains a top industry of Presque Isle and the surrounding area, with potatoes being the top crop. During the winter months many local businesses rely on the snowmobiling industry as there is a highly regarded trail system connecting far away towns and cities with Presque Isle. Presque Isle is also home to a significant industrial park near the Northern Maine Regional Airport.
