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Facts
Famous Natives
Flag
Gov
History
Land
Landforms
Lat/Long
Symbols
Time
Travel Info
Weather
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Description
Almost surrounded by four of the fresh water Great Lakes, Michigan is a unique state, divided into two peninsulas, and joined together by a suspension bridge, that spans the Straits of Mackinac.
This ancestral land of many American Indian tribes, was literally sculptured into its present shape by massive Ice Age glaciers.
Europeans began arriving in the 17th century, and for decades, the British, French and local Indian forces struggled for control. In 1783, the Treaty of Paris, finally awarded Michigan to the new United States.
The upstate logging and mining industries, and the automobile giants of Detroit, were built around the shipping lanes of the Great Lakes, and this tranquil midwestern state became an economic powerhouse in the 20th Century.
The Upper Peninsula is a beautiful, rugged, sparsely populated place, where severe winters are commonplace. The Lower Peninsula, home to most of the people, is dotted by small towns, large cities and fertile farmland in all directions.
The shorelines of Michigan are covered by over 115 lighthouses - their mission is to warn mariners of possible danger, and they do their job well. They also stand as proud beacons to the Michigan success-story, and this state's vital relationship with the wonders of the Great Lakes.
Learn more about Michigan here!
Facts and Figures
Statehood January 26, 1837 (26th)
Capital Lansing
Currency U.S. Dollar
(conversion rates) here
Language English (official)
Largest Cities (by population) Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Lansing, Sterling Heights, Ann Arbor (all cities here)
Lat/Long 42º 71' N, 84º 55' W
Origin of Name Named from the Chippewa Indian word "michigama", which translates into Great Lake
Population 10,050,446
(8th)
Population Details (and more)
here
Statewide Business (facts & figures)
here
Flag and Symbols Bird Robin
Flag here
Flower Apple Blossom
Fish Brook Trout
Gem Isle Royal Greenstone
Insect Ladybug
Mottos "If You Seek a Pleasant Peninsula, Look About You"
Nickname "Wolverine State,"and "Great Lake State"
Song "Michigan, My Michigan"
State Seal here
Tree White Pine
Wildflower Dwarf Lake Iris
Land Statistics Area 96,810 sq miles
(22nd)
(Land) 56,809 sq. miles (Water) 40,001 sq. miles. NOTE: Regarding (Water) sq. miles - the waters of the Great Lakes are divided somewhat equally by Michigan, Canada, and the applicable U.S. States Bordering States (4) Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and the Canadian Province of Ontario
Number of Counties (83) map here Largest County (by population) Wayne, 2,061,162
Highest Point Mt. Arvon, 1,979 ft.
Lowest Point Lake Erie, 572 ft.
Length/Width 490 miles/240 miles
Coastline 0
Shoreline (Great Lakes) 3,288 miles, which is more than the entire eastern coastline of the United States
Mean Elevation 900 ft.
Geographic Center in Wexford
LANDFORMS
The Upper Peninsula is hilly and rugged in the west, and contains the state's highest point, Mt. Arvon, at 1,979 ft., a part of the Huron Mountains. To the east, the land is much flatter, with some inland swamps.
The Lower Peninsula is quite flat, especially along the southeastern shorelines. Gentle, rolling hills are found central, south and east.
Offshore, major islands include Bois Blanc, Drummond, Mackinac, Isle Royal, and the Beaver Island archipelago.
Mackinac Island sits in the middle of the Mackinac Strait, and forested Isle Royal is the only (island) National Park in the United States.
Fresh water lakes (mostly small) number over 11,000, and the surrounding Great Lakes are the area's most striking landform.
Lake St, Clair is also a vital commercial waterway, as it connects to Lake Erie through the Detroit River, and to Lake Huron through the St. Clair River.
Other rivers of note include the Menominee and Escanaba in the Upper Peninsula, and the Grand, Muskegan, St. Joseph and St. Mary's in the Lower Peninsula.
For a closer look at the topography of Michigan, view this map
Great Lakes here
Landforms of America here
Landforms of North America here
Michigan State Parks here
Rivers of North America here
Government Info U.S. President George W. Bush
Michigan Government web site
Michigan Legislature web site
Famous Natives People listed are almost always native to the state. We do, on occasion, include those that have lived within a state for most of their adult life. "A mostly random selection" Gillian Anderson actress Sandra Bernhard actress Melvin Bissell inventor Harry Blackstone, Jr. magician Sonny Bono singer, actor Ralph J. Bunche u.s. diplomat Ellen Burstyn actress Timothy Busfield actor, director Roger B. Chaffee astronaut Dennis Cole actor Charles Collingwood journalist, newscaster Alice Cooper musician Francis Ford Coppola film director Wally Cox actor George Armstrong Custer u.s. army officer (born in Ohio) Pam Dawber actress Thomas E. Dewey lawyer Dick Enberg sportscaster Edna Ferber author Gerald Ford former u.s. president Henry Ford founder ford motor company Max Gail actor Christopher George actor Al Green singer Julie Harris actress Adam Herz actor Ernie Hudson actor Kim Hunter actress Betty Hutton actress, singer Herb Jeffries actor Derek Jeter baseball player Arte Johnson actor, comedian Earvin "Magic" Johnson basketball player, businessman Casey Kasem radio personality Anthony Kiedis founder, red hot chilli peppers Richard Kiel actor William Kellogg businessman Christine Lahti actress, director Ring Lardner author Piper Laurie actress Joan Leslie actress Charles A. Lindbergh aviator Tony Lucca singer, songwriter Madonna singer, actress Lee Majors actor Suzanne Malveaux television journalist Dick Martin comedian Tim McCoy actor Donna McKechnie dancer, singer, actress, choreographer Lonette McKee actress Ed McMahon comedian, television personality Fred Meijer grocery store merchant Martin Milner actor John Mitchell former u.s. attorney general Harry Morgan actor Michael Moriarty musician, actor Ted Nugent singer Terry O'Quinn actor George Peppard actor Gilda Radner comedienne Della Reese singer Robert James Ritchie (Kid Rock) musician Jason Robards actor Diana Ross singer Roz Ryan actress Glenn T. Seaborg chemist Bob Seger singer Tom Selleck actor Sinbad comedian, actor Tom Skerritt actor Danny Thomas entertainer Marlo Thomas actress Lily Tomlin comedian, actress, producer Robert Wagner actor David Wayne actor Elizabeth Wilson actress Stevie Wonder singer Is someone missing?
Submit your famous person here!
USA States
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Maps
Michigan County Map
here
Michigan Outline Map here
Michigan Maps Univ. of Texas here
Michigan Highway Map here
Michigan (Detroit) Map here
Michigan Historic Maps here
Michigan Precipitation Map here
Michigan Satellite Map here
Michigan Topographic Relief Map here
U.S. States & Capitol Cities (a test) here
U.S. MAPS (large selection) here
USA MAP Clip Art (FREE) here
CUSTOM USA MAPS created here
Recommended Links Michigan Ancestry/Genealogy web site
Michigan Colleges & Universities here
Michigan Historical Society web site
Michigan Lighthouses web site
NEWSPAPERS
Detroit Free Press (newspaper) web site
Grand Rapids Press (newspaper) web site
State of Michigan web site
U.S. National Park Service web site
Mackinac Bridge photo by MBA Time, Weather and more Area Codes here
Time in Michigan
here
Climate
Michigan enjoys the four seasons, and there are many winter outdoor-enthusiasts that claim it's the very best time of the year.
Speaking of winter, heavy snowfall in the Upper Peninsula, and in the northern reaches of the Lower Peninsula are commonplace.
The Great Lakes do moderate winter temperatures, but still, the average highs in January (far north) are near 10 degrees, while in the southern areas, average highs reach the low 20s. Statewide daily lows below zero are the norm.
The lakes cool the shorelines on summer days, and humidity is manageable. Average summer highs north are at 60 degrees, while in the south, they reach the low 70s.
Statewide annual precipitation averages near 35 inches, with higher amounts in the Upper Peninsula, and along the Lake Michigan border.
For Michigan precipitation levels view this map
Current Weather Conditions in:
<Timeline of History (1620) French Canadian explorers arrive in the upper-reaches of Michigan area (1668) French missionaries' Father's Dablon and Marquette, establish the first permanent European settlement near present-day Sault Sainte Marie (1679) The first French fort in the area is built (1701) Detroit is founded by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac (sound like a nice moniker for a luxury automobile) (1760) The British capture Detroit, and the long years of French rule comes to an end (1763) The Indian siege to Detroit - lasting almost six months - is unsuccessful (1787) After the Revolutionary War, and the Treaty of Paris, Michigan was made a part of America. The British remained in the area for almost a decade, finally admitting defeat (1805) A massive fire destroys much of Detroit (1812-14) The British battled for, and took Detroit, during the War of 1812, only to see it lost in 1813 (1819) After losing much of their homeland, Indians begin their mass-exodus to the south (1832) Ohio and Michigan settled their border dispute, and Ohio was granted the contested lands around Toledo, while Michigan received the entire Upper Peninsula (1837) Michigan joins the Union, and becomes the 26th state (1854) The modern Republican Party is organized in Jackson, Michigan (1855) Shipping commerce on the Great Lakes increased dramatically as the Soo Canal and Locks opened, linking Lake Superior with Lake Huron. (1899) Ransom E. Olds established the (first) automobile factory in Detroit, and soon Michigan became the center of the automobile manufacturing world (1908) Henry Ford manufactures the first Model T, and he revolutionized the industry with his assembly line techniques. That same year, General Motors is founded. (1935) The United Automobile Worker's Union is formed (1942-44) The Detroit automobile industry produces a great percentage of the materials needed by American forces during World War II (1957) The Mackinac Bridge "Big Mac," opens for traffic (1959) Barry Gordy, Jr. creates Motown Records in Detroit, and the rest is musical history (1967) The Detroit riots destroy much of the inner city as racial tensions increase (1974) Gerald Ford, former Michigan congressman become U.S. President, following the resignation of Richard Nixon (1975) The Edmund Fitzgerald, a giant Great Lake's ore freighter, sinks in Lake Superior during an horrific storm, all aboard are lost (1980) The Republican National Convention is held in Detroit (1998) Chrysler Corporation merges with Daimler-Benz, the German auto company (2001) Detroit stages massive celebrations during its 300th anniversary Traveler Information Attractions (a few major) the Great Lake's lighthouses and beaches, Detroit, Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum, Isle Royal National Park, Kellogg's Cereal City, Mackinac Island, the Soo Locks and Sault Sainte Marie, and much more. Electricity 110/120V, 60Hz
Times to Travel With hundreds of statewide attractions, historic points-of-interest, and the stunning scenery of the Great Lakes, Michigan offers a wonderful family vacation destination at anytime of the year.
Michigan Accommodations
For hotels all around the State of Michigan here!
Detroit Visitor Info here
Great Lakes Fishing here
Great Lakes Shipwreak Museum here
Greenfield Village here
Henry Ford Museum here
Isle Royal National Park here
Kellogg's Cereal City here
Mackinac Island here
Michigan Tourism here
Michigan Tourism 888.784.7328
Roadside America An online guide to offbeat attractions, and more here
U.S. National Park Service web site
Visas United States entry requirements are
ted States entry requirements are the same in all states, with most foreign travelers requiring a visa.
There are exceptions as Canadian citizens only need proof of that citizenship. Travelers coming to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less from qualified countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. without a visa.
Currently, 26 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei,
ei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Visitors entering on the Visa Waiver Pilot Program cannot work or study while in the U.S. and cannot stay longer than 90 days or change their status to another category.
For the latest information, including required documentation, any interested party should apply at the American Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence.
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