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Michigan Facts

Michigan Facts
The state of Michigan is located in the mid-western region of the United States, more specifically in the Great Lakes region. It shares state borders with Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and Indiana. Michigan shares an international border with Ontario, Canada, both in its northeastern region and its southeastern region. The state is cut into two peninsulas, connected by the Mackinac Bridge. Michigan is the 11th largest U.S. state, with 96,916 square miles. It is the 9th most populated state with approximately 9,895,622 residents and it is the 17th most densely populated state. Prior to European settlement, the area was populated by Algonquin, Odaawaa and Boodewaadamii Native tribes. Michigan was the 26th state to join the Union, becoming a U.S. state in 1837.
Interesting Michigan Facts:
The word Michigan is derived from an Algonquin Indian word 'meicigama' which means 'big sea wate', in reference to the Great Lakes.
Michigan's state nickname is the Wolverine State.
Michigan's capital city is Lansing and its largest city is Detroit.
Michigan's state motto is 'Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam, circum spice', which means 'If you are seeking a pleasant peninsula, look around you'.
Michigan's state song is 'Michigan, My Michigan'.
Michigan's state flag, with a moose, elk and bald eagle, was adopted in 1911.
The state bird is the robin, the state reptile is the painted turtle, the state mammal is the white-tailed deer, and the state fish is the brook trout.
Michigan's state flower is the apple blossom and the state wildflower is the dwarf lake iris.
The state tree is the white pine.
Michigan's major lakes include Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.
Michigan's major rivers include St. Mary's River, St. Clair River, Kalamazoo River, Grand River and the Detroit River.
Michigan has 83 counties, and 97 state parks and recreation areas.
Michigan residents are called Michiganders, Michiganians, and Michiganties.
Michigan's major agriculture includes wheat, soybeans, apples, cherries, pears, beans, potatoes, sugar beets and corn.
Michigan's major industry includes car manufacturing, cereal processing, airplane part manufacturing, hardware and furniture manufacturing, fishing and timber.
Detroit, Michigan is considered to be the car capital of the world.
The world's largest cement plant is located in Alpena, Michigan.
The world's largest limestone quarry is located in Rogers City.
The world's largest manufacturer of magic supplies is Colon, Michigan.
The first air-conditioned car was manufactured in Detroit in 1939 at the Packard Motor Car Company.
The Mackinac Bridge, which joins Michigan's two peninsulas, is one of the world's longest suspension bridges. It spans five miles over the point where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan connect at the Straits of Mackinac.
The 38th President of the United States, Gerald R. Ford grew up in Grand Rapis, Michigan.
There is only one boat in the world that delivers mail to ships en route; it is a floating post office called the J. W. Westcott II and it has been in operation for more than 125 years.
Michigan is the only U.S. state that borders four of the five Great Lakes. The only one is does not touch is Lake Ontario.


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