Michigan - Political
 
CapitalLansing
Largest CityDetroit
Major CitiesGrand Rapids, Flint, Ann Arbor
NicknamesWolverine State, Great Lakes State
Area58,216 sq. miles
Population9,938,444
 
Michigan - Physical features
 
HighlandsSuperior Upland
PeaksMount Arvon, Mount Curwood
PeninsulasUpper Peninsula, Lower Peninsula
StraitsStraits of Mackinac
Lakes/Bodies of WaterLake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Saint Clair, Saginaw Bay, Green Bay
RiversGrand, Muskegon, Manistee, Menominee, Saint Marys, Saint Clair, Detroit
Highest PointMount Arvon
IslandsIsle Royale
Bordering StatesOhio (southeast), Indiana (south), Wisconsin (west), Canada- Ontario (north and east)
National ParksIsle Royale NP
Key ProductsMotor Vehicles, Dairy Products (especially cherries and blueberries), Cereal
Natural ResourcesCopper, Iron (especially on the Upper Peninsula)
 
Michigan - History
 
Early 1600’sFrench explorers including Louis Joliet, Jacques Marquette and Sieur De La Salle explore region.
1668First permanent settlement established at Sault Sainte Marie.
1763Following the French and Indian War, France relinquishes all land claims over the region
183726th state admitted to the Union
Present DayDetroit, known as the "Motor City", is the headquarters of the Ford Motor Company, and Michigan ranks as the top auto producer in the United States
 
Michigan - Facts
 
  • Michigan has the longest stretch of freshwater shoreline of any state in the US.
  • Michigan’s has the second longest shoreline after Alaska (Note: This includes only freshwater shorelines. The second longest ocean shoreline which has salty water belongs to Florida.)
  • Detroit is a major port of entry from Canada, located on the shared Lake Saint Clair and the Detroit and Saint Clair rivers, at the boundary of the two larger lakes Erie and Huron, and across from Windsor, Ontario
  • The Sault Sainte Marie Canals link lakes Superior and Huron by way of the Saint Mary’s River and pass through the adjacent towns that bear this same name
  • Battle Creek is the headquarters of the Kellogg Company, making Michigan the country’s top producer of cereal
  • The Mackinac Bridge, one of the world’s longest suspension bridges, passes over the Straits of Mackinac, which link lakes Michigan and Huron, near Mackinac Island
  • More Arabs live in Michigan than in any other state