Colonial Maine refers to the period when the region was part of the British colonies in North America, primarily during the 17th and 18th centuries. Initially inhabited by Indigenous peoples, such as the Abenaki and Penobscot, European settlers began arriving in the early 1600s. The area was known for its rich natural resources, including timber and fish, which attracted settlers and traders. Maine was officially part of the Province of Massachusetts Bay until it became a separate state in 1820. During colonial times, the economy relied on agriculture, fishing, and shipbuilding. Conflicts with Indigenous tribes and other colonial powers, such as the French, shaped the region's history and development.