Principal eastern state of the USA (5)

I believe the answer is:

maine

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'state of the usa' is the definition.
'Maine' can be an answer for 'state' (US state). I'm not certain of the 'of the usa' bit.

'principal eastern' is the wordplay.
'principal' becomes 'main' (both can mean major).
'eastern' becomes 'e'.
'main'+'e'='MAINE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for maine that I've seen before include "somewhere in America" , "N. US Atlantic state" , "North-east American state" , "NE US state" , "North-easterly US state" .)

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