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Map of the state of Maine
Somali migration to Maine refers the migration of Somali people to the United States state of Maine. Large migration of Somalis to Maine began around 2001.[1]
[edit] Background
Since the commencement of the Somali Civil War in 1986, millions of Somalis fled to neighboring countries and oftentimes to third countries, like the United States. Somalis were initially resettled in major urban centers such as Minneapolis, Atlanta and New Orleans. However, once within the United States, some Somalis chose to leave their major urban areas for smaller towns.[2] Cumberland County and Androscoggin County in southern and central Maine became home to hundreds of Somali refugees in a process of rapid migration.[2] From 2000-2005, the population classified as Black by the United States Census in Maine experienced a 99% increase, which was mostly due to increased migration from Somali and South Sudanese migrants.[1] Many Somali residents have settled in the Kennedy Park neighborhood of Portland, alongside other migrants and immigrants from across the world.
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