====== Michigan ====== {{:state:michigan.jpg?600|State of Michigan}} **Michigan** is a state located in the Great Lakes region of the United States. Admitted to the Union on January 26, 1837, as the twenty-sixth state, Michigan is distinguished by its unique geography, extensive freshwater coastline, industrial heritage, natural resources, and significant contributions to American transportation, manufacturing, education, and culture. [(mihistory>Michigan History Center. State History of Michigan. https://www.michigan.gov)] Michigan consists of two peninsulas separated by the [[geography:straits_of_mackinac|Straits of Mackinac]] and connected by the [[landmarks:mackinac_bridge|Mackinac Bridge]]. The state borders four of the five Great Lakes and possesses the longest freshwater coastline of any political subdivision in the world. [(greatlakes>Great Lakes Commission. Great Lakes Facts. https://www.glc.org)] Today, Michigan is home to approximately ten million residents and remains one of the most economically and culturally influential states in the Midwest. --- ===== Quick Facts ===== ^ Attribute ^ Information ^ | Capital | [[places:lansing|Lansing]] | | Largest City | [[places:detroit|Detroit]] | | Statehood | January 26, 1837 | | Population | Approximately 10 million | | Nickname | Great Lakes State | | Abbreviation | MI | | Time Zones | Eastern, Central (western U.P.) | | State Bird | American Robin | | State Tree | Eastern White Pine | | State Motto | ''Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice'' | --- ===== Geography ===== Michigan is divided into: * [[geography:upper_peninsula|Upper Peninsula]] * [[geography:lower_peninsula|Lower Peninsula]] The state borders: * [[geography:lake_superior|Lake Superior]] * [[geography:lake_michigan|Lake Michigan]] * [[geography:lake_huron|Lake Huron]] * [[geography:lake_erie|Lake Erie]] Major geographic features include: * [[geography:straits_of_mackinac|Straits of Mackinac]] * [[geography:ausable_river|Au Sable River]] * [[geography:manistee_river|Manistee River]] * [[geography:menominee_river|Menominee River]] * [[geography:lake_gogebic|Lake Gogebic]] Michigan contains more than 11,000 inland lakes and over 36,000 miles of rivers and streams. [(greatlakes)] --- ===== Indigenous History ===== For thousands of years before European settlement, Michigan was inhabited by Indigenous peoples including: * Anishinaabe * Ojibwe * Odawa * Potawatomi These nations developed extensive trade networks throughout the Great Lakes region and continue to maintain a significant presence within Michigan today. --- ===== French Exploration ===== European exploration began during the seventeenth century. Notable explorers and missionaries included: * [[people:jacques_marquette|Jacques Marquette]] * Louis Jolliet * Étienne Brûlé * Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac French settlements established the foundations of many modern Michigan communities. --- ===== Statehood ===== Michigan Territory was organized in 1805. Following the resolution of the Toledo War boundary dispute with Ohio, Michigan entered the Union as the twenty-sixth state on January 26, 1837. [(mihistory)] The state capital was later moved from Detroit to: * [[places:lansing|Lansing]] in 1847. --- ===== Economy ===== Michigan possesses one of the largest economies in the United States. Major sectors include: * Automotive Manufacturing * Advanced Manufacturing * Agriculture * Aerospace * Information Technology * Healthcare * Tourism * Higher Education The state is historically associated with the American automobile industry. Major companies include: * [[organization:ford_motor_company|Ford Motor Company]] * [[organization:general_motors|General Motors]] * [[organization:stellantis|Stellantis]] [(mibusiness>Michigan Economic Development Corporation. https://www.michiganbusiness.org)] --- ===== Education ===== Michigan is home to numerous nationally recognized educational institutions. Major universities include: * [[education:university_of_michigan|University of Michigan]] * [[education:michigan_state_university|Michigan State University]] * [[education:michigan_technological_university|Michigan Technological University]] * [[education:northern_michigan_university|Northern Michigan University]] * [[education:wayne_state_university|Wayne State University]] * [[education:alpena_community_college|Alpena Community College]] The state also hosts internationally recognized arts institutions including: * [[organization:interlochen_center_for_the_arts|Interlochen Center for the Arts]] --- ===== Transportation ===== Michigan's transportation infrastructure includes: * [[landmarks:mackinac_bridge|Mackinac Bridge]] * Interstate Highway System * Great Lakes Shipping * International Border Crossings * Commercial Airports Major highways include: * [[transportation:m_33|M-33]] * [[transportation:m_72|M-72]] * I-75 * I-94 * I-96 --- ===== Natural Resources ===== Michigan's natural resources have played a central role in its history and economy. Important resources include: * Timber * Iron Ore * Copper * Freshwater * Agricultural Land Historic mining districts include: * [[geography:gogebic_iron_range|Gogebic Iron Range]] * [[geography:marquette_iron_range|Marquette Iron Range]] * [[geography:menominee_iron_range|Menominee Iron Range]] --- ===== Tourism ===== Tourism is one of Michigan's largest industries. Major destinations include: * [[landmarks:mackinac_bridge|Mackinac Bridge]] * [[landmarks:sleeping_bear_dunes_national_lakeshore|Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore]] * [[places:mackinaw_city|Mackinaw City]] * [[places:st_ignace|St. Ignace]] * [[places:ludington|Ludington]] * [[places:tawas_city|Tawas City]] * [[places:alpena|Alpena]] Millions of visitors travel to Michigan annually for outdoor recreation, historical tourism, and Great Lakes activities. --- ===== Government ===== Michigan's government consists of: * Executive Branch * Legislative Branch * Judicial Branch The state government is headquartered in: * [[places:lansing|Lansing]] The Michigan Legislature consists of the Senate and House of Representatives. --- ===== Major Cities ===== * [[places:detroit|Detroit]] * [[places:grand_rapids|Grand Rapids]] * [[places:lansing|Lansing]] * [[places:ann_arbor|Ann Arbor]] * [[places:flint|Flint]] * [[places:kalamazoo|Kalamazoo]] * [[places:marquette|Marquette]] * [[places:alpena|Alpena]] --- ===== Notable People ===== * [[people:henry_ford|Henry Ford]] * [[people:joseph_e_maddy|Joseph E. Maddy]] * [[people:jacques_marquette|Jacques Marquette]] * [[people:dean_a_robb|Dean A. Robb]] * [[people:richard_arthur_maddy|Richard Arthur Maddy]] * [[people:janet_elizabeth_rieder_henderson|Janet Elizabeth Rieder-Henderson]] --- ===== Related Categories ===== * [[places:start|Places]] * [[counties:start|Counties]] * [[geography:start|Geography]] * [[people:start|People]] * [[education:start|Education]] * [[organization:start|Organizations]] * [[landmarks:start|Landmarks]] * [[transportation:start|Transportation]] --- ===== References ===== ~~REFNOTES~~ {{tag>state michigan great_lakes midwest united_states geography history economy education tourism}}