This article is about the U.S. State of Michigan. For other uses see Michigan (disambiguation). State of Michigan Flag Seal Nickname(s): The Great Lakes State The Wolverine State Motto(s): Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice

(If you seek a pleasant peninsula look about you) Official language(s) None (English de-facto) Demonym Michigander Michiganian Capital Lansing Largest city Detroit Largest metro area Metro Detroit Area  Ranked 11th in the U.S.  - Total 96716 sq mi (250493 km2)  - Width 3861 miles (621 km)  - Length 4561 miles (734 km)  - % water 41.5  - Latitude 41 41' N to 48 18' N  - Longitude 82 7' W to 90 25' W Population  Ranked 8th in the U.S.  - Total 9883640 (2010)2 - Density 102.2/sq mi  (39.46/km2) Ranked 19th in the U.S.  - Median income  $44627 (21st) Elevation    - Highest point Mount Arvon3 1979 ft  (603 m)  - Mean 902 ft  (275 m)  - Lowest point Lake Erie3 571 ft  (174 m) Before statehood Michigan Territory Admission to Union  January 26 1837 (26th) Governor Rick Snyder (R) Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley (R) Legislature Michigan Legislature  - Upper house Senate  - Lower house House of Representatives U.S. Senators Carl Levin (D) Debbie Stabenow (D) U.S. House delegation 9 Republicans 6 Democrats (list) Time zones    - most of state Eastern: UTC-5/-4  - 4 U.P. counties Central: UTC-6/-5 Abbreviations MI Mich. US-MI Website michigan.gov

Michigan (i /mn/) is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is a French alteration of the Ojibwe word mishigamaa meaning "large water" or "large lake".14

Michigan is the eighth most populous state in the United States. It has the longest freshwater coastline of any political subdivision in the world being bounded by four of the five Great Lakes plus Lake Saint Clair.5 Michigan is one of the leading U.S. states for recreational boating.6 The state has 64980 inland lakes and ponds.7 A person in the state is never more than six miles (10 km) from a natural water source or more than 85 miles (137 km) from a Great Lakes shoreline.8 It is the largest state by total area9 east of the Mississippi River.

Michigan is the only state to consist entirely of two peninsulas. The Lower Peninsula to which the name Michigan was originally applied is often noted to look like a mitten owing to its shape. The Upper Peninsula (often referred to as "The U.P.") is separated from the Lower Peninsula by the Straits of Mackinac a five-mile (8 km)-wide channel that joins Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. The Upper Peninsula is economically important for tourism and natural resources. Contents 1 History 1.1 17th century 1.2 18th century 1.3 19th century 1.4 20th and 21st centuries 2 Government 2.1 State government 2.2 Law 2.3 Politics 2.4 Administrative divisions 3 Geography 3.1 Adjacent states & provinces 3.2 Climate 3.3 Geology 4 Demographics 4.1 Religion 5 Economy 5.1 Taxation 5.2 Agriculture 5.3 Tourism 6 Transportation 6.1 Railroads 6.2 Roadways 6.3 Airports 7 Important cities and townships 8 Education 9 Professional sports 10 State symbols and nicknames 10.1 Sister states 11 See also 12 References 13 Further reading 14 External links History See also: Timeline of Michigan history and History of Michigan

Michigan was home to Native American cultures before colonization by Europeanscitation needed. When the first European explorers arrived the most populous and influential tribes were Algonquian peoples specifically the Ottawa the Anishnabe (called Chippewa in French after their language Ojibwe) and the Potawatomi. The Anishnabe whose numbers are estimated to have been between 25000 and 35000 were the most populous.

The Anishnabe were well-established in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula and also inhabited northern Ontario northern Wisconsin southern Manitoba and northern and north-central Minnesota. The Ottawa lived primarily south of the Straits of Mackinac in northern and western Michigan while the Potawatomi were primarily in the southwest. The three nations co-existed peacefully as part of a loose confederation called the Council of Three Fires. Other tribes in Michigan in the south and east were the Mascouten the Menominee the Miami and the Wyandot who are better known by their French name Huron. 17th century Pre Marquette and the Indians (1869) Wilhelm Lamprecht

French voyageurs and Coureur des bois explored and settled in Michigan in the 17th century. The first Europeans to reach what later became Michigan were those of tienne Brl's expedition in 1622. The first permanent European settlement was founded in 1668 on the site where Pre Jacques Marquette established Sault Ste. Marie Michigan as a base for Catholic missions.10 Missionaries in 167175 founded outlying stations at Saint Ignace and Marquette. Jesuit missionaries were well received by the Indian populations in the area with relatively few difficulties or hostilities. In 1679 Robert Cavelier Sieur de la Salle built Fort Miami at present-day St. Joseph. 18th century Approximate area of Michigan highlighted in Guillaume de L'Isle's 1718 map.

In 1701 French explorer and army officer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded Fort Pontchartrain du Dtroit or "Fort Pontchartrain on-the-Strait" on the strait known as the Detroit River between lakes Saint Clair and Erie. Cadillac had convinced King Louis XIV's chief minister Louis Phlypeaux Comte de Pontchartrain that a permanent community there would strengthen French control over the upper Great Lakes and discourage British aspirations.

The hundred soldiers and workers who accompanied Cadillac built a fort enclosing one arpent1112 (about 0.85 acres (3400 m2) the equivalent of just under 200 feet (61 m) per side) and named it Fort Pontchartrain. Cadillac's wife Marie Thrse Guyon soon moved to Detroit becoming one of the first European women to settle in the Michigan wilderness. The town quickly became a major fur-trading and shipping post. The glise de Saint-Anne (Church of Saint Ann) was founded the same year. While the original building does not survive the congregation of that name continues to be active today. Cadillac later departed to serve as the French governor of Louisiana from 1710 to 1716. At the same time the French strengthened Fort Michilimackinac at the Straits of Mackinac to better control their lucrative fur-trading empire. By the mid-18th century the French also occupied forts at present-day Niles and Sault Ste. Marie though most of the rest of the region remained unsettled by Europeans. From 1660 to the end of French rule Michigan was part of the Royal Province of New France.13 In 1759 following the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in the French and Indian War (17541763) Qubec City fell to British forces. This marked Britain's victory in the Seven Years War. Under the 1763 Treaty of Paris Michigan and the rest of New France east of the Mississippi River passed to Great Britain.14 During the American Revolutionary War Detroit was an important British supply center. Most of the inhabitants were French-Canadians or Native Americans many of whom had been allied with the French. Because of imprecise cartography and unclear language defining the boundaries in the 1783 Treaty of Paris the British retained control of Detroit and Michigan after the American Revolution. When Quebec split into Lower and Upper Canada in 1790 Michigan was part of Kent County Upper Canada. It held its first democratic elections in August 1792 to send delegates to the new provincial parliament at Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake).15 Under terms negotiated in the 1794 Jay Treaty Britain withdrew from Detroit and Michilimackinac in 1796. Questions remained over the boundary for many years and the United States did not have uncontested control of the Upper Peninsula and Drummond Island until 1818 and 1847 respectively. 19th century During the War of 1812 Michigan Territory (effectively consisting of Detroit and the surrounding area) was surrendered without a fight in 1812 but recaptured by Americans in 1813. The more northern areas were held by the British until the peace treaty restored the old boundaries. Lumbering pines in the late 1800s The population grew slowly until the opening in 1825 of the Erie Canal connecting the Great Lakes and the Hudson River and New York City. The new route brought a large influx of settlers who became farmers and merchants and shipped out grain lumber and iron ore. By the 1830s Michigan had 80000 residents more than enough to apply and qualify for statehood. In October 1835 the people approved the Constitution of 1835 thereby forming a state government although Congressional recognition was delayed pending resolution of a boundary dispute with Ohio known as the Toledo War. Congress awarded the "Toledo Strip" to Ohio. Michigan received the western part of the Upper Peninsula as a concession and formally entered the Union on January 26 1837. The Upper Peninsula proved to be a rich source of lumber iron and copper. Michigan led the nation in lumber production from the 1850s to the 1880s. Railroads became a major engine of growth from the 1850s onward with Detroit the chief hub. The first statewide meeting of the Republican Party took place July 6 1854 in Jackson Michigan where the party adopted its platform. The state was heavily Republican until the 1930s. Michigan made a significant contribution to the Union in the American Civil War and sent more than forty regiments of volunteers to the Federal armies. Modernizers and boostersespecially Yankees set up systems for public education including founding the University of Michigan (1817; moved to Ann Arbor in 1837) for a classical academic education; and Ypsilanti Normal College (1849) now Eastern Michigan University for the training of teachers. Michigan State University (1855) in East Lansing was founded as the pioneer land-grant college a model for those authorized under the Morrill Act (1862). In 1899 as Michigan State Normal College the former Ypsilanti was the first normal college in the nation to offer a four-year curriculum. Many private colleges were founded as well and the smaller cities formed high schools late in the century. 20th and 21st centuries See also: History of Ford Motor Company Michigan's economy underwent a transformation at the turn of the 20th century. The birth of the automotive industry with Henry Ford's first plant in Highland Park marked the beginning of a new era in transportation. Like the steamship and railroad it was a far-reaching development. More than the forms of public transportation the automobile transformed private life. It became the major industry of Detroit and Michigan and permanently altered the socio-economic life of the United States and much of the world. With the growth the auto industry created jobs in Detroit that attracted immigrants from Europe and migrants from across the U.S. including those from the South. By 1920 Detroit was the fourth largest city in the U.S. Residential housing was in short supply and it took years for the market to catch up with the population boom. By the 1930s so many immigrants had arrived that more than 30 languages were spoken in the public schools and ethnic communities celebrated in annual heritage festivals. Over the years immigrants and migrants contributed greatly to Detroit's diverse urban culture including popular music trends such as the influential Motown Sound of the 1960s led by a variety of individual singers and groups. Skyscrapers in downtown Detroit Grand Rapids the second-largest city in Michigan is also an important center of manufacturing. Since 1838 the city has also been noted for its furniture industry and is home to five of the world's leading office furniture companies. Grand Rapids is home to a number of major companies including Steelcase Amway and Meijer. Grand Rapids is also an important center for GE Aviation Systems. Michigan held its first United States presidential primary election in 1910. With its rapid growth in industry it was an important center of union industry-wide organizing such as the rise of the United Auto Workers. In 1920 WWJ in Detroit became the first radio station in the United States to regularly broadcast commercial programs. Throughout that decade some of the country's largest and most ornate skyscrapers were built in the city. Particularly noteworthy are the Fisher Building Cadillac Place and the Guardian Building each of which is a National Historic Landmark (NHL). Detroit continued to expand through the 1950s at one point doubling its population in a decade. After World War II housing was developed in suburban areas outside city cores; newly constructed U.S. Interstate Highways allowed commuters to navigate the region more easily. Modern advances in the auto industry have resulted in increased automation high tech industry and increased suburban growth since 1960. Michigan is the leading auto-producing state in the U.S. with the industry primarily located throughout the Midwestern United States Ontario Canada and the Southern United States.16 With more than ten million residents Michigan is a large and influential state ranking eighth in population among the fifty states. Detroit is the centrally located metropolitan area of the Great Lakes Megalopolis and the second largest metropolitan area in the U.S. linking the Great Lakes system. The Metro Detroit area in Southeast Michigan is the largest metropolitan area in the state (roughly 50% of the population resides there) and the eleventh largest in the USA. The Grand Rapids metropolitan area in Western Michigan is the fastest-growing metro area in the state with over 1.3 million residents as of 2006. Metro Detroit receives more than 15 million visitors each year. Michigan has many popular tourist destinations which include areas such as Traverse City on the Grand Traverse Bay in Northern Michigan. Tourists spend about $17 billion annually in Michigan supporting 193000 jobs.17 Michigan typically ranks third or fourth in overall Research & development (R&D) expenditures in the U.S.1819 The state's leading research institutions include the University of Michigan Michigan State Universityand Wayne State University which are important partners in the state's economy and the state's University Research Corridor.20 Michigan's public universities attract more than $1.5 B in research and development grants each year.21 Agriculture also serves a significant role making the state a leading grower of fruit in the U.S. including blueberries cherries apples grapes and peaches.22 Government See also: List of Governors of Michigan and United States congressional delegations from Michigan Michigan State Capitol in Lansing State government Main article: Government of Michigan Michigan is governed as a republic with three branches of government: the executive branch consisting of the Governor of Michigan and the other independently elected constitutional officers; the legislative branch consisting of the House of Representatives and Senate; and the judicial branch consisting of the one court of justice. The state also allows direct participation of the electorate by initiative referendum recall and ratification. Lansing is the state capital and is home to all three branches of state government. The Governor of Michigan and the other state constitutional officers serve four-year terms and may be re-elected only once. The current Governor is Rick Snyder. Michigan has two official Governor's Residences; one is in Lansing and the other is at Mackinac Island. The Michigan Legislature consists of a 38-member Senate and 110-member House of Representatives. Senators serve four-year terms and Representatives two. The Michigan State Capitol was dedicated in 1879 and has hosted the state's executive and legislative branches ever since. Law Michigan Supreme Court at the Hall of Justice The Michigan Court System consists of two courts with primary jurisdiction (the Circuit Courts and the District Courts) one intermediate level appellate court (the Michigan Court of Appeals) and the Michigan Supreme Court. There are several administrative courts and specialized courts. The Michigan Constitution provides for voter initiative and referendum (Article II 923 defined as "the power to propose laws and to enact and reject laws called the initiative and the power to approve or reject laws enacted by the legislature called the referendum. The power of initiative extends only to laws which the legislature may enact under this constitution"). In 1846 Michigan became the first state in the Union as well as the first English-speaking government in the world2425 to abolish the death penalty. Historian David Chardavoyne has suggested that the movement to abolish capital punishment in Michigan grew as a result of enmity toward the state's neighbor Canada. Under British rule it made public executions a regular practice. Politics See also: Elections in Michigan and Political party strength in Michigan Michigan Governor Rick Snyder (R) (2011present) Voters in the state elect candidates from both major parties. Economic issues are important in Michigan elections. The three-term Republican Governor John Engler (19912003) preceded the former two-term Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm (20032011). The state has elected successive Republican attorneys general twice since 2003. The Republican Party has won a majority in both the House and Senate of the current Michigan Legislature (2011present). Michigan supported the election of Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. The current Governor Rick Snyder (2011present) is a Republican. Presidential elections results26 Year Republicans Democrats 2008 40.89% 2048639 57.33% 2872579 2004 47.81% 2313746 51.23% 2479183 2000 46.14% 1953139 51.28% 2170418 1996 38.48% 1481212 51.69% 1989653 1992 36.38% 1554940 43.77% 1871182 1988 53.57% 1965486 45.67% 1675783 1984 59.23% 2251571 40.24% 1529638 1980 48.99% 1915225 42.50% 1661532 1976 51.83% 1893742 46.44% 1696714 1972 56.20% 1961721 41.81% 1459435 1968 41.46% 1370665 48.18% 1593082 1964 33.10% 1060152 66.70% 2136615 1960 48.84% 1620428 50.85% 1687269 However the state has supported Democrats in the last five presidential election cycles. In 2008 Barack Obama carried the state over John McCain winning Michigan's seventeen electoral votes with 57% of the vote. Democrats have won each of the last three nine of the last ten and fifteen of the last eighteen U.S. Senate elections in Michigan with confidence on national economic issues posing a challenge. Republican strength is greatest in the western northern and rural parts of the state especially in the Grand Rapids area. Republicans also do well in suburban Detroit which tends to be an important factor in deciding statewide elections. Democrats are strongest in the east especially in the cities of Detroit Ann Arbor Flint and Saginaw. Historically the first formal meeting of the Republican Party took place in Jackson Michigan on July 6 185427 and the party thereafter dominated Michigan until the Great Depression. In the 1912 election Michigan was one of the six states to support progressive Republican and third-party candidate Theodore Roosevelt for President after he lost the Republican nomination to William Howard Taft. Michigan remained fairly reliably Republican at the presidential level for much of the 20th century. It was part of Greater New England the northern tier of states settled chiefly by migrants from New England who carried their culture with them. The state was one of only a handful to back Wendell Willkie over Franklin Roosevelt in 1940 and supported Thomas E. Dewey in his losing bid against Harry Truman in 1948. Michigan went to the Democrats in presidential elections during the 1960s and voted for Republican Richard Nixon in 1972. Michigan was the home of Gerald Ford the 38th President of the United States. He was born in Nebraska and moved as an infant to Grand Rapids Michigan and grew up there.2829 The Gerald R. Ford Museum is located in Grand Rapids and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library is located on the campus of his alma mater the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Administrative divisions Main article: Administrative divisions of Michigan See also: List of Michigan county seats List of counties in Michigan and List of municipalities in Michigan (by population) State government is decentralized among three tiers statewide county and township. Counties are administrative divisions of the state and townships are administrative divisions of a county. Both of them exercise state government authority localized to meet the particular needs of their jurisdictions as provided by state law. There are 83 counties in Michigan. Cities state universities and villages are vested with home rule powers of varying degrees. Home rule cities can generally do anything that is not prohibited by law. The fifteen state universities have broad power and can do anything within the parameters of their status as educational institutions that is not prohibited by the state constitution. Villages by contrast have limited home rule and are not completely autonomous from the county and township in which they are located. There are two types of township in Michigan: general law township and charter. Charter township status was created by the Legislature in 1947 and grants additional powers and stream-lined administration in order to provide greater protection against annexation by a city. As of April 2001 there were 127 charter townships in Michigan. In general charter townships have many of the same powers as a city but without the same level of obligations. For example a charter township can have its own fire department water and sewer department police department and so onjust like a citybut it is not required to have those things whereas cities must provide those services. Charter townships can opt to use county-wide services instead such as deputies from the county sheriff's office instead of a home-based force of ordinance officers. Geography Further information: Geography of Michigan Protected areas of Michigan and List of Michigan state parks Marquette Park on Mackinac Island. Michigan consists of two peninsulas that lie between 8230' to about 9030' west longitude and are separated by the Straits of Mackinac. The 45th parallel north runs through the statemarked by highway signs and the Polar-Equator Trail30along a line including Mission Point Light near Traverse City the towns of Gaylord and Alpena and Menominee in the Upper Peninsula. With the exception of two small areas that are drained by the Mississippi River by way of the Wisconsin River in the Upper Peninsula and by way of the Kankakee-Illinois River in the Lower Peninsula Michigan is drained by the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed and is the only state with the majority of its land thus drained. Aerial view of Sleeping Bear Dunes. The Great Lakes that border Michigan from east to west are Lake Erie Lake Huron Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. It has more lighthouses than any other state. The state is bounded on the south by the states of Ohio and Indiana sharing land and water boundaries with both. Michigan's western boundaries are almost entirely water boundaries from south to north with Illinois and Wisconsin in Lake Michigan; then a land boundary with Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula that is principally demarcated by the Menominee and Montreal Rivers; then water boundaries again in Lake Superior with Wisconsin and Minnesota to the west capped around by the Canadian province of Ontario to the north and east. Tahquamenon Falls in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan The heavily forested Upper Peninsula is relatively mountainous in the west. The Porcupine Mountains which are part of one of the oldest mountain chains in the world31 rise to an altitude of almost 2000 feet (610 m) above sea level and form the watershed between the streams flowing into Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. The surface on either side of this range is rugged. The state's highest point in the Huron Mountains northwest of Marquette is Mount Arvon at 1979 feet (603 m). The peninsula is as large as Connecticut Delaware Massachusetts and Rhode Island combined but has fewer than 330000 inhabitants. They are sometimes called "Yoopers" (from "U.P.'ers") and their speech (the "Yooper dialect") has been heavily influenced by the numerous Scandinavian and Canadian immigrants who settled the area during the lumbering and mining boom of the late 19th century. The Pointe Mouillee State Game Area The Lower Peninsula shaped like a mitten is 277 miles (446 km) long from north to south and 195 miles (314 km) from east to west and occupies nearly two-thirds of the state's land area. The surface of the peninsula is generally level broken by conical hills and glacial moraines usually not more than a few hundred feet tall. It is divided by a low water divide running north and south. The larger portion of the state is on the west of this and gradually slopes toward Lake Michigan. The highest point in the Lower Peninsula is either Briar Hill at 1705 feet (520 m) or one of several points nearby in the vicinity of Cadillac. The lowest point is the surface of Lake Erie at 571 feet (174 m). The geographic orientation of Michigan's peninsulas makes for a long distance between the ends of the state. Ironwood in the far western Upper Peninsula lies 630 highway miles (1015 km) from Lambertville in the Lower Peninsula's southeastern corner. The geographic isolation of the Upper Peninsula from Michigan's political and population centers makes the U.P. culturally and economically distinct. Occasionally U.P. residents have called for secession from Michigan and establishment as a new state to be called "Superior". A feature of Michigan that gives it the distinct shape of a mitten is the Thumb. This peninsula projects out into Lake Huron and the Saginaw Bay. The geography of the Thumb is mainly flat with a few rolling hills. Other peninsulas of Michigan include the Keweenaw Peninsula making up the Copper Country region of the state. The Leelanau Peninsula lies in the Northern Lower Michigan region. See Also Michigan Regions Little Sable Point Light south of Pentwater Michigan. Numerous lakes and marshes mark both peninsulas and the coast is much indented. Keweenaw Bay Whitefish Bay and the Big and Little Bays De Noc are the principal indentations on the Upper Peninsula. The Grand and Little Traverse Thunder and Saginaw bays indent the Lower Peninsula. Michigan has the second longest shoreline of any state3288 miles (5292 km)32 including 1056 miles (1699 km) of island shoreline.33 Michigan map including territorial waters The state has numerous large islands the principal ones being the North Manitou and South Manitou Beaver and Fox groups in Lake Michigan; Isle Royale and Grande Isle in Lake Superior; Marquette Bois Blanc and Mackinac islands in Lake Huron; and Neebish Sugar and Drummond islands in St. Mary's River. Michigan has about 150 lighthouses the most of any U.S. state. The first lighthouses in Michigan were built between 1818 and 1822. They were built to project light at night and to serve as a landmark during the day to safely guide the passenger ships and freighters traveling the Great Lakes. See Lighthouses in the United States. The state's rivers are generally small short and shallow and few are navigable. The principal ones include the Detroit River St. Marys River and St. Clair River which connect the Great Lakes; the Au Sable Cheboygan and Saginaw which flow into Lake Huron; the Ontonagon and Tahquamenon which flow into Lake Superior; and the St. Joseph Kalamazoo Grand Muskegon Manistee and Escanaba which flow into Lake Michigan. The state has 11037 inland lakes (totaling 1305 square miles (3380 km2) of inland water) in addition to 38575 square miles (99910 km2) of Great Lakes waters. No point in Michigan is more than six miles (10 km) from an inland lake or more than 85 miles (137 km) from one of the Great Lakes.34 The state is home to a number of areas maintained by the National Park Service including: Isle Royale National Park located in Lake Superior about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Thunder Bay Ontario. Other national protected areas in the state include: Keweenaw National Historical Park Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Huron National Forest Manistee National Forest Hiawatha National Forest Ottawa National Forest and Father Marquette National Memorial. The largest section of the North Country National Scenic Trail passes through Michigan. With 78 state parks 19 state recreation areas and 6 state forests Michigan has the largest state park and state forest system of any state. These parks and forests include Holland State Park Mackinac Island State Park Au Sable State Forest and Mackinaw State Forest. Adjacent states & provinces Minnesota Ontario Ontario Wisconsin Ontario    Michigan     Illinois & Indiana Indiana & Ohio Ohio & Ontario Climate Detroit MI Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D     1.9   31 18     1.9   34 20     2.5   45 29     3.1   58 38     3.1   70 49     3.6   79 59     3.2   83 64     3.1   81 62     3.3   74 54     2.2   61 43     2.7   48 34     2.5   36 23 Average max. and min. temperatures in F Precipitation totals in inches Source: Detroit Climate Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     49   -1 -8     48   1 -7     64   7 -2     77   14 3     77   21 9     90   26 15     80   28 18     79   27 17     83   23 12     57   16 6     68   9 1     64   2 -5 Average max. and min. temperatures in C Precipitation totals in mm Lansing MI Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D     1.6   29 14     1.5   33 15     2.3   44 24     3.1   57 35     2.7   69 45     3.6   78 54     2.7   82 58     3.5   80 57     3.5   72 49     2.3   60 39     2.7   46 30     2.2   34 20 Average max. and min. temperatures in F Precipitation totals in inches Source: Lansing Climate Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     41   -2 -10     37   1 -9     59   7 -4     78   14 2     69   21 7     91   26 12     68   28 14     88   27 14     88   22 9     58   16 4     68   8 -1     55   1 -7 Average max. and min. temperatures in C Precipitation totals in mm Marquette MI Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D     2.6   20 3     1.9   24 5     3.1   33 14     2.8   46 27     3.1   62 39     3.2   70 48     3   75 54     3.6   73 52     3.7   63 44     3.7   51 34     3.3   35 22     2.4   24 10 Average max. and min. temperatures in F Precipitation totals in inches Source: Marquette Climate Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     66   -7 -16     47   -4 -15     80   1 -10     71   8 -3     78   17 4     82   21 9     76   24 12     90   23 11     95   17 7     93   11 1     83   2 -6     62   -4 -12 Average max. and min. temperatures in C Precipitation totals in mm Michigan USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Michigan has a continental climate although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate (Koppen climate classification Dfa) with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Koppen Dfb) with warm but shorter summers and longer cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages from 3040 inches (76100 cm) of precipitation annually however some areas in the northern lower peninsula and the upper peninsula average almost 160" of snowfall per year.35 Michigan's highest recorded temperature is 112 F (44 C) at Mio on July 13 1936 and the coldest recorded temperature is 51 F (46 C) at Vanderbilt on February 9 1934.36 The entire state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year which are more common in the extreme southern portion of the state. Portions of the southern border have been nearly as vulnerable historically as parts of Tornado Alley. For this reason many communities in the very southern portions of the state are equipped with tornado sirens to warn residents of approaching tornadoes. Farther north in the Upper Peninsula tornadoes are rare.37 Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures For Other Michigan Cities in F(C) City Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Flint 29/13 (2/11) 32/15 (0/9) 43/24 (6/4) 56/35 (13/2) 69/45 (21/7) 78/55 (26/13) 82/59 (28/15) 80/57 (27/14) 72/49 (22/9) 60/39 (16/4) 46/30 (8/1) 34/19 (1/7) Grand Rapids 29/16 (2/9) 33/17 (1/8) 43/26 (6/3) 57/36 (14/2) 70/47 (21/8) 78/56 (26/13) 82/60 (28/16) 80/59 (27/15) 72/51 (22/11) 60/40 (11/4) 46/31 (8/1) 34/21 (1/6) Muskegon 30/17 (1/8) 32/18 (0/8) 42/25 (6/4) 55/35 (13/2) 67/45 (19/7) 76/54 (24/12) 80/60 (27/16) 78/59 (26/15) 70/51 (21/11) 59/41 (15/5) 46/32 (8/0) 35/23 (2/5) Sault Ste. Marie 22/5 (6/15) 24/7 (4/14) 34/16 (1/9) 48/29 (9/2) 63/39 (17/4) 71/46 (22/7) 76/52 (24/11) 74/52 (23/11) 65/45 (18/7) 53/36 (12/2) 39/26 (12/3) 27/13 (3/11) 3dead link Geology The geological formation of the state is greatly varied. Primary boulders are found over the entire surface of the Upper Peninsula (being principally of primitive origin) while Secondary deposits cover the entire Lower Peninsula. The Upper Peninsula exhibits Lower Silurian sandstones limestones copper and iron bearing rocks corresponding to the Huronian system of Canada. The central portion of the Lower Peninsula contains coal measures and rocks of the Permo-Carboniferous period. Devonian and sub-Carboniferous deposits are scattered over the entire state. Demographics See also: Michigan census statistical areas Michigan population distribution Map showing the largest ancestry group in each county (2008) Historical populations Census Pop. % 1800 3757 1810 4762 26.8% 1820 7452 56.5% 1830 28004 275.8% 1840 212267 658.0% 1850 397654 87.3% 1860 749113 88.4% 1870 1184059 58.1% 1880 1636937 38.2% 1890 2093890 27.9% 1900 2420982 15.6% 1910 2810173 16.1% 1920 3668412 30.5% 1930 4842325 32.0% 1940 5256106 8.5% 1950 6371766 21.2% 1960 7823194 22.8% 1970 8875083 13.4% 1980 9262078 4.4% 1990 9295297 0.4% 2000 9938444 6.9% 2010 9883640 0.6% Source: 1910201038 As of 2010 Michigan had a population of 9883640 a decrease of 0.6% since the year 2000 though retaining its rank as the eighth most populous state in the nation. It was the only state to lose population in the 2010 census.39 The center of population of Michigan is located in Shiawassee County in the southeastern corner of the civil township of Bennington which is located northwest of the village of Morrice.40 As of the 2009 American Community Survey for the U.S. Census the state had a foreign-born population of 614111 or 6.2% of the total. In recent years the foreign-born population in the state has grown. Michigan has the largest Dutch Finnish and Macedonian populations in the United States. The 2010 Census reported: White: 78.9% (Non-Hispanic Whites: 76.6%) Black or African American: 14.2% American Indian: 0.6% Asian: 2.4% Pacific Islander: <0.1% Some other race: 1.5% Multiracial: 2.3% Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 4.4% The ten largest reported ancestries in Michigan are:41 German (22.9%) Irish (12.0%) English (10.6%) Polish (9.1%) French or French Canadian (7.0%) Dutch (5.2%) Italian (4.9%) American (4.8%) Scottish (2.5%) Swedish (1.7%) The large majority of Michigan's population is Caucasian. Americans of European descent live throughout Michigan and most of Metro Detroit. Large European American groups include those of German Irish French Belgian and British ancestry. People of Scandinavian descent especially those of Finnish ancestry have a notable presence in the Upper Peninsula. Western Michigan is known for the Dutch heritage of many residents (the highest concentration of any state) especially in metropolitan Grand Rapids. Dearborn has a sizeable Arab community with many Assyrian/Chaldean/Syriac and Lebanese who immigrated for jobs in the auto industry in the 1920s.42 About 300000 people trace their descent from the Middle East.43 African Americans who came to Detroit and other northern cities in the Great Migration of the early 20th century form a majority of the population of the city of Detroit and of other cities including Flint and Benton Harbor. An individual from Michigan is called a "Michigander" or "Michiganian".44 Also at times but rarely a "Michiganite".45 Residents of the Upper Peninsula are sometimes referred to as "Yoopers" (a phonetic pronunciation of "U.P.ers") and Upper Peninsula residents sometimes refer to those from the lower as "trolls" (they live below the bridge).46 Religion The Roman Catholic Church was the only organized religion in Michigan until the 19th century reflecting the territory's French colonial roots. Detroit's St. Anne's parish established in 1701 is the second-oldest Catholic parish in the country.47 French-Canadian Catholics were reduced to a small minority by the influx of Protestants from the United States in the early 19th century. By the mid-19th century there was a wave of immigration of Catholics from Ireland and later from eastern and southern Europe. Change was rapid in the 19th century. The Lutheran Church was introduced by German and Scandinavian immigrants; Lutheranism is the second largest religious denomination in the state. The first Jewish synagogue in the state was Temple Beth El founded by twelve German Jewish families in Detroit in 1850.48 Islam was introduced by immigrants from the Near East during the 20th century.49 The largest denomination by number of adherents according to a survey in the year 2000 was the Roman Catholic Church with 2019926 parishioners. The largest Protestant denominations were the Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod with 244231 adherents; followed by the United Methodist Church with 222269; and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with 160836 adherents. In the same survey Jewish adherents in the state of Michigan were estimated at 110000 and Muslims at 80515.50 Economy See also: List of companies based in Michigan and Economy of metropolitan Detroit Michigan is the center of the American automotive industry. Pictured is the Ford Shelby GT500 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The GT500 is manufactured in Ford's Flat Rock Michigan assembly plant. The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimated Michigan's 2009 gross state product at $368 B.51 In December 2010 the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 11.7% with an actual rate of 10.6% for the month during a U.S. recession.5253 Top Fortune Companies in Michigan for 2009 (ranked by revenues) with State and U.S. rankings. State Corporation US 1 General Motors 6 2 Ford 7 3 Dow 38 4 Delphi 121 5 Whirlpool 133 6 Ally 147 7 TRW Automotive 169 8 Lear 195 9 Kellogg 210 10 Penske Automotive 225 11 Masco 277 12 Visteon 282 13 DTE Energy 285 14 Arvin Meritor 346 15 CMS Energy 369 16 Stryker 375 17 Autoliv 376 18 Pulte Homes 393 19 Kelly Services 437 20 BorgWarner 453 21 Auto-Owners 476 22 Steelcase 625 23 Borders Group 639 24 Spartan Stores 751 25 Cooper Standard 814 26 Valassis 809 27 Universal Forest 837 28 Affinia Group 853 29 Hayes-Lemmerz 856 30 American Axle 874 31 Herman Miller 897 32 Perrigo 897 Further information: List of Michigan companies Source: Fortune 54 Some of the major industries/products/services include automobiles cereal products pizza information technology aerospace military equipment copper iron and furniture. Michigan is the third leading grower of Christmas trees with 60520 acres (245 km2) of land dedicated to Christmas tree farming.5556 The beverage Vernors was invented in Michigan in 1866 sharing the title of oldest soft drink with Hires Root Beer. Faygo was founded in Detroit on November 4 1907. Two of the top four pizza chains were founded in Michigan and are headquartered there: Domino's Pizza by Tom Monaghan and Little Caesars Pizza by Mike Ilitch. Michigan has experienced economic difficulties brought on by volatile stock market disruptions following the September 11 2001 attacks. This caused a pension and benefit fund crisis for many American companies including General Motors Ford and Chrysler. Since the early 2000s recession and the September 11 2001 attacks GM Ford and Chrysler have struggled to overcome the benefit funds crisis which followed an ensuing volatile stock market which had caused a severe underfunding condition in the respective U.S. pension and benefit funds (OPEB). Although manufacturing in the state grew 6.6% from 2001 to 200657 the high speculative price of oil became a factor for the U.S. auto industry during the economic crisis of 2008 impacting industry revenues. During this economic crisis President George W. Bush extended loans from the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) funds in order to help the GM and Chrysler bridge the recession.58 In January 2009 President Barack Obama formed an automotive task force in order to help the industry recover and achieve renewed prosperity for the region. With retiree health care costs a significant issue5960 General Motors Ford and Chrysler reached agreements with the United Auto Workers Union to transfer the liabilities for their respective health care and benefit funds to a 501(c)(9) Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA). In spite of these efforts the severity of the recession required Detroit's automakers to take additional steps to restructure including idling many plants. With the U.S. Treasury extending the necessary debtor in possession financing Chrysler and GM filed separate 'pre-packaged' Chapter 11 restructurings in May and June 2009 respectively.61 Michigan ranks fourth nationally in high tech employment with 568000 high tech workers which includes 70000 in the automotive industry.62 Michigan typically ranks third or fourth in overall Research & development (R&D) expenditures in the United States.1819 Its research and development which includes automotive comprises a higher percentage of the state's overall gross domestic product than for any other U.S. state.63 The state is an important source of engineering job opportunities. The domestic auto industry accounts directly and indirectly for one of every ten jobs in the U.S.64 Michigan ranked second nationally in new corporate facilities and expansions in 2004. From 1997 to 2004 Michigan was listed as the only state to top the 10000 mark for the number of major new developments;1665 however the effects of the late 2000s recession have slowed the state's economy. In 2008 Michigan ranked third in a survey among the states for luring new business which measured capital investment and new job creation per one million population.66 In August 2009 Michigan and Detroit's auto industry received $1.36 B in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy for the manufacture of electric vehicle technologies which is expected to generate 6800 immediate jobs and employ 40000 in the state by 2020.67 From 2007 to 2009 Michigan ranked 3rd in the U.S. for new corporate facilities and expansions.6869 As leading research institutions the University of Michigan Michigan State Universityand Wayne State University are important partners in the state's economy and the state's University Research Corridor.20 Michigan's public universities attract more than $1.5 B in research and development grants each year.21 The National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory is located at Michigan State University. Michigan's workforce is well-educated and highly skilled making it attractive to companies. It has the third highest number of engineering graduates nationally.70 Detroit Metropolitan Airport is one of the nation's most recently expanded and modernized airports with six major runways and large aircraft maintenance facilities capable of servicing and repairing a Boeing 747. Michigan's schools and colleges rank among the nation's best. The state has maintained its early commitment to public education. The state's infrastructure gives it a competitive edge; Michigan has 38 deep water ports.71 In 2007 Bank of America announced that it would commit $25 billion to community development in Michigan following its acquisition of LaSalle Bank in Troy.72 Michigan led the nation in job creation improvement in 2010.73 Taxation Michigan's personal income tax is set to a flat rate of 4.35%. Some cities impose additional income taxes. Michigan's state sales tax is 6%. Property taxes are assessed on the local level but every property owner's local assessment contributes six mills (six dollars per thousand dollars of property value) to the statutory State Education Tax. In 2007 Michigan repealed its Single Business Tax (SBT) and replaced it with a Michigan Business Tax (MBT) in order to stimulate job growth by reducing taxes for seventy percent of the businesses in the state.74 According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis recent growth in Michigan is 0.1%.75 Agriculture Michigan is the leading U.S. producer of tart cherries blueberries pickling cucumbers red beans and petunias. A wide variety of commodity crops fruits and vegetables are grown in Michigan making it second only to California among U.S. states in the diversity of its agriculture.76 The state has 55000 farms utilizing 10000000 acres (40000 km2) of land which sold $6.6 billion worth of products in 2008.77 The most valuable agricultural product is milk. Leading crops include corn soybeans flowers wheat sugar beets and potatoes. Livestock in the state included 1 million cattle 1 million hogs 78000 sheep and over 3 million chickens. Livestock products accounted for 38% of the value of agricultural products while crops accounted for the majority. Michigan is a leading grower of fruit in the U.S. including blueberries cherries apples grapes and peaches.2278 These fruits are mainly grown in West Michigan due to the moderating effect of Lake Michigan on the climate. There is also significant fruit production especially cherries but also grapes apples and other fruits in Northwest Michigan along Lake Michigan. Michigan produces wines beers and a multitude of processed food products. Kellogg's cereal is based out of Battle Creek Michigan and processes many locally grown foods. Thornapple Valley Ballpark Franks Koegel's and Hebrew National sausage companies are all based in Michigan. Michigan is home to very fertile land in the Flint/Tri-Cities and "Thumb" areas. Products grown there include corn sugar beets navy beans and soy beans. Sugar beet harvesting usually begins the first of October. It takes the sugar factories about five months to process the 3.7 million tons of sugarbeets into 970 million pounds of pure white sugar.79 Michigan's largest sugar refiner Michigan Sugar Company80 is the largest east of the Mississippi River and the fourth largest in the nation. Michigan Sugar brand names are Pioneer Sugar and the newly incorporated Big Chief Sugar. Potatoes are grown in Northern Michigan and corn is dominant in Central Michigan. Michigan State University is dedicated to the study of agriculture. Tourism See also: List of National Historic Landmarks in Michigan List of Registered Historic Places in Michigan and List of museums in Michigan Michigan's tourists spend $17.5 billion per year in the state supporting 193000 tourism jobs.17 Michigan's tourism website ranks among the busiest in the nation.81 Destinations draw vacationers hunters and nature enthusiasts from across the United States and Canada. Michigan is fifty percent forest land much of it quite remote. The forests lakes and thousands of miles of beaches are top attractions. Event tourism draws large numbers to occasions like the Tulip Time Festival and the National Cherry Festival. The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is a classic image of Michigan tourism. In 2006 the Michigan State Board of Education mandated that all public schools in the state hold their first day of school after the Labor Day holiday in accordance with the new Post Labor Day School law. A survey found that 70% of all tourism business comes directly from Michigan residents and the Michigan Hotel Motel & Resort Association claimed that the shorter summer in between school years cut into the annual tourism season in the state.82 Tourism in metropolitan Detroit draws visitors to leading attractions particularly The Henry Ford the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Detroit Zoo and to sports in Detroit. Other museums include the Detroit Historical Museum the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History museums in the Cranbrook Educational Community and the Arab American National Museum. The metro area offers four major casinos MGM Grand Detroit Greektown Motor City and Caesars Windsor in Windsor Ontario Canada; moreover Detroit is the largest American city and metropolitan region to offer casino resorts.83 Hunting and fishing are significant industries in the state. Charter boats are based in many Great Lakes cities to fish for salmon trout walleye and perch. Michigan ranks first in the nation in licensed hunters (over one million) who contribute $2 billion annually to its economy. Over three-quarters of a million hunters participate in white-tailed deer season alone. Many school districts in rural areas of Michigan cancel school on the opening day of firearm deer season because of attendance concerns. Michigan's Department of Natural Resources manages the largest dedicated state forest system in the nation. The forest products industry and recreational users contribute $12 billion and 200000 associated jobs annually to the state's economy. Public hiking and hunting access has also been secured in extensive commercial forests. The state has highest number of golf courses and registered snowmobiles in the nation.84 The state has numerous historical markers which can themselves become the center of a tour.85 The Great Lakes Circle Tour is a designated scenic road system connecting all of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.86 With its position in relation to the Great Lakes and the countless ships that have foundered over the many years in which they have been used as a transport route for people and bulk cargo Michigan is a world-class scuba diving destination. The Michigan Underwater Preserves are 11 underwater areas where wrecks are protected for the benefit of sport divers. Transportation Mackinac Bridge Michigan has nine international crossings with Ontario Canada: Ambassador Bridge North America's busiest international border crossing the Detroit River Blue Water Bridge a twin-span bridge (Port Huron Michigan and Point Edward Ontario but the larger city of Sarnia Ontario is usually referred to on the Canadian side.) Blue Water Ferry (Marine City Michigan and Sombra Ontario) Canadian Pacific Railway tunnel. DetroitWindsor Truck Ferry (Detroit Michigan and Windsor Ontario) DetroitWindsor Tunnel. International Bridge (Sault Ste. Marie Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie Ontario) St. Clair River Railway Tunnel (Port Huron Michigan and Sarnia Ontario) Walpole Island Ferry (Algonac Michigan and Walpole Island First Nation Ontario A second international bridge is currently under development between Detroit Michigan and Windsor Ontario.87 Railroads See also: List of Michigan railroads and History of railroads in Michigan Michigan is served by four Class I railroads: the Canadian National Railway the Canadian Pacific Railway CSX Transportation and the Norfolk Southern Railway. These are augmented by several dozen short line railroads. The vast majority of rail service in Michigan is devoted to freight with Amtrak and various scenic railroads the exceptions.88 Main article: Michigan Services Amtrak passenger rail services the state connecting many southern and western Michigan cities to Chicago Illinois. There are plans for commuter rail for Detroit and its suburbs (see SEMCOG Commuter Rail).899091 Roadways Welcome sign. See also: Michigan Highway System Interstate 75 is the main thoroughfare between Detroit Flint and Saginaw extending north to Sault Sainte Marie and providing access to Sault Sainte Marie Ontario. The expressway crosses the Mackinac Bridge between the Lower and Upper Peninsulas. Branching highways include I-275 and I-375 in Detroit; I-475 in Flint; and I-675 in Saginaw. Interstate 69 enters the state near the Michigan-Ohio-Indiana border and it extends to Port Huron and provides access to the Blue Water Bridge crossing into Sarnia Ontario. Interstate 94 enters the western end of the state at the Indiana border and it travels east to Detroit and then northeast to Port Huron and ties in with I-69. I-194 branches off from this freeway in Battle Creek. I-94 is the main artery between Chicago Illinois and Detroit. Interstate 96 runs eastwest between Detroit and Muskegon. I-496 loops through Lansing. I-196 branches off from this freeway at Grand Rapids and connects to I-94 near Benton Harbor. I-696 branches off from this freeway at Novi and connects to I-94 near St Clair Shores. U.S. Highway 2 enters Michigan at the city of Ironwood and runs east to the town of Crystal Falls where it turns south and briefly re-enters Wisconsin northwest of Florence. It re-enters Michigan north of Iron Mountain and continues through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to the cities of Escanaba Manistique and St. Ignace. Along the way it cuts through the Ottawa and Hiawatha National Forests and follows the northern shore of Lake Michigan. Its eastern terminus lies at exit 344 of I-75 just north of the Mackinac Bridge. This is generally regarded as the main route through the Upper Peninsula although some prefer to travel on M-28 as it tends to save time (U.S. 2 hugs the Lake Michigan shoreline for much of its length.) Airports See also: List of airports in Michigan The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is Michigan's busiest airport followed by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. Important cities and townships The Detroit skyline along the Detroit River. The Grand Rapids skyline centered on the Grand River. A Lansing sunset Downtown Flint as seen from the Flint River. The Ann Arbor skyline as seen from Michigan Stadium. Further information: List of cities villages and townships in Michigan The largest municipalities in Michigan are (according to 2010 Census): Rank City Population Image 1 Detroit 713777 Map showing largest Michigan municipalities. 2 Grand Rapids 188040 3 Warren 134056 4 Sterling Heights 129699 5 Lansing 114297 6 Ann Arbor 113934 7 Flint 102434 8 Dearborn 98153 9 Livonia 96942 10 Clinton Township 96796 Other important cities include: Battle Creek ("Cereal City U.S.A." world headquarters of Kellogg Company) Benton Harbor / St. Joseph (headquarters of Whirlpool Corporation) East Lansing (home of Michigan State University) Big Rapids (home of Ferris State University) Holland (home of Tulip Time the largest tulip festival in the U.S.) Jackson (headquarters of CMS Energy) Kalamazoo (Largest city in southwest Michigan and home to Western Michigan University) Manistee (home to the world's largest salt plant owned by Morton Salt) Marquette (largest city in the Upper Peninsula with 19661 people and home of Northern Michigan University) Midland (headquarters of the Dow Chemical Company and the Dow Corning Corporation) Monroe (home of George Armstrong Custer) Mount Pleasant (home of Central Michigan University) Muskegon (largest Michigan city on Lake Michigan) Pontiac (major automobile manufacturing center and home of the Pontiac Silverdome) Port Huron (major international crossing and home of the Blue Water Bridge) Saginaw (the largest of the Tri-Cities which also consist of Bay City and Midland and home to Saginaw Valley State University) Sault Ste. Marie (home of the Soo Locks and Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge) Traverse City ("Cherry Capital of the World" making Michigan the country's largest producer of cherries) Ypsilanti (home of Eastern Michigan University) Half of the wealthiest communities in the state are located in Oakland County just north of Detroit. Another wealthy community is located just east of the city in Grosse Pointe. Only three of these cities are located outside of Metro Detroit. The city of Detroit itself with a per capita income of $14717 ranks 517th on the list of Michigan locations by per capita income. Benton Harbor is the poorest city in Michigan with a per capita income of $8965 while Barton Hills is the richest with a per capita income of $110683. Education See also: List of colleges and universities in Michigan and List of high schools in Michigan Michigan's education system provides services to 1.6 million K-12 students in public schools. More than 124000 students attend private schools and an uncounted number are homeschooled under certain legal requirements.9293 The public school system has a $14.5 billion budget in 20082009.94 Michigan has a number of public universities spread throughout the state and a numerous private colleges as well. Michigan State University has one of the largest enrollments of any U.S. school. Michigan State University the University of Michigan and Wayne State University are the three major research institutions in the state.95 Professional sports Main article: List of Michigan professional sports teams Michigan's major-league sports teams include: Detroit Tigers baseball team Detroit Lions football team Detroit Red Wings ice hockey team and the Detroit Pistons men's basketball team. All of Michigan's major league teams play in the Metro Detroit area. The Pistons played at Detroit's Cobo Arena until 1978 and at the Pontiac Silverdome until 1988 when they moved into The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Detroit Lions played at Tiger Stadium in Detroit until 1974 then moved to the Pontiac Silverdome where they played for 27 years between 19752002 before moving to Ford Field in Detroit in 2002. The Detroit Tigers played at Tiger Stadium (formerly known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium) from 1912 to 1999. In 2000 they moved to Comerica Park. The Red Wings played at Olympia Stadium before moving to Joe Louis Arena in 1979. Thirteen-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams was born in Saginaw. The Michigan International Speedway is the site of NASCAR races and Detroit was formerly the site of a Formula One World Championship Grand Prix race. From 1959 to 1961 Detroit Dragway hosted the NHRA's U.S. Nationals.96 Michigan is home to one of the major canoeing marathons: the 120-mile (190 km) Au Sable River Canoe Marathon. The Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race is also a favorite. Professional hockey got its start in Houghton when the Portage Lakers were formed. State symbols and nicknames Michigan is by tradition known as "The Wolverine State" and the University of Michigan takes the wolverine as its mascot. The association is well and long established: for example many Detroiters volunteered to fight during the American Civil War and George Armstrong Custer who led the Michigan Brigade called them the "Wolverines". The origins of this association are obscure; it may derive from a busy trade in wolverine furs in Sault Ste. Marie in the 18th century or may recall a disparagement intended to compare early settlers in Michigan with the vicious mammal. Wolverines are however extremely rare in Michigan. A sighting in February 2004 near Ubly was the first confirmed sighting in Michigan in 200 years.97 The animal was found dead in 2010.98 State nicknames: Wolverine State Great Lakes State Mitten State Water-Winter Wonderland State motto: Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice (Latin: If you seek a pleasant peninsula look about you) adopted in 1835 on the coat-of-arms but never as an official 'motto'. This is a paraphrase of the epitaph of British architect Sir Christopher Wren about his masterpiece St. Paul's Cathedral.99100 State song: My Michigan (official since 1937 but disputed amongst residents)101 Michigan My Michigan (Unofficial State Song since the civil war) Dwarf Lake Iris State bird: American Robin (since 1931) State animal: Wolverine (traditional) State game animal: White-tailed deer (since 1997) State fish: Brook trout (since 1965) State reptile: Painted Turtle (since 1995) State fossil: Mastodon (since 2000) State flower: Apple blossom (adopted in 1897 official in 1997) State wildflower: Dwarf Lake Iris (since 1998). Known as Iris lacustris it is a federally listed threatened species. State tree: White pine (since 1955) State stone: Petoskey stone (since 1965). It is composed of fossilized coral (Hexagonaria pericarnata) from long ago when the middle of the continent was covered with a shallow sea. State gem: Isle Royale greenstone (since 1973). Also called chlorastrolite (literally "green star stone") the mineral is found on Isle Royale and the Keweenaw peninsula. State Quarter: U.S. coin issued in 2004 with the Michigan motto "Great Lakes State." State soil: Kalkaska Sand (since 1990) ranges in color from black to yellowish brown covers nearly 1000000-acre (4000 km2) in 29 counties. Sister states Shiga Prefecture Japan102 Sichuan Province Peoples Republic of China103 See also North America portal United States portal Michigan portal Outline of Michigan Index of Michigan-related articles USS Michigan References a b c "Michigan in Brief: Information About the State of Michigan" (PDF). Michigan.gov. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/hallmMiB1567957.pdf. Retrieved 2006-11-28.  "RESIDENT POPULATION OF THE 50 STATES THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND PUERTO RICO: 2010 CENSUS". United States Census Bureau. http://2010.census.gov/news/pdf/apport2010table2.pdf. Retrieved 2010-12-21.  a b "Elevations and Distances in the United States". U.S Geological Survey. 29 April 2005. http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest. Retrieved November 6 2006.  "Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary". Freelang.net. http://www.freelang.net/online/ojibwe.phplggb.  "NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management: My State: Michigan". Coastalmanagement.noaa.gov. http://coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/mystate/mi.html. Retrieved 2010-07-25.  "Michigan Life Insurance". InsuranceSalesman.com. http://www.insurancesalesman.com/life/michigan-life-insurance.htm. Retrieved 2011-03-18.  "Compilation of Databases on Michigan Lakes" (PDF). MichiganDNR.com. http://www.michigandnr.com/PUBLICATIONS/PDFS/ifr/ifrlibra/technical/reports/2004-2tr.pdf. Retrieved 2009-04-18.  "Michigan's State Facts". State of Michigan. http://www.michigan.gov/som/016077-192-2993830245-67959--00.html. Retrieved 1 January 2010.  I.e. including water that is part of state territory. Georgia is the largest state by land area east of the Mississippi. "Chronology of Michigan History". p. 3. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/publications/manual/2003-2004/2003-mm-0003-0019-Chron.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-30.  "Cadillac's Village or Detroit under Cadillac.". http://my.tbaytel.net/bmartin/cadillac.htm. Retrieved January 5 2007.  "History Detroit 17012001". http://www.historydetroit.com/places/fortponchartrain.asp. Retrieved January 5 2007.  The Province included the modern states of Wisconsin eastern Minnesota Illinois Indiana Ohio Kentucky Tennessee Mississippi Alabama two-thirds of Georgia and small parts of West Virginia Pennsylvania New York Vermont and Maine The Encyclopdia Britannica p. 158. 11th ed. (1910). Farmer Silas (2005) 1889. "Legislatures and Laws". The history of Detroit and Michigan; or The metropolis illustrated; a full record of territorial days in Michigan and the annals of Wayne County. Ann Arbor Mich.: University of Michigan Library. p. 94. http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idxcmicounty;ccmicounty;rgnfull%20text;idnoBAD1459.0001.001;didnoBAD1459.0001.001;viewimage;seq00000152. Retrieved 2006-06-15.  a b National Association of Manufacturers (February 2008).Facts about Michigan Manufacturing. Retrieved on January 11 2009. a b Yousef Jennifer (December 23 2009).Michigan's winter tourism jumps obstacles. The Detroit News. Retrieved on December 27 2009. a b MEDC(2009).Michigan Advantage State of Michigan. Retrieved on June 23 2009. a b NSF 01-320 (2001).R&D Spending is Highly Concentrated in a Small Number of States National Science Foundation a b "University Research Corridor". Urcmich.org. http://www.urcmich.org/who/faq.html. Retrieved 2010-07-25.  a b Bruns Adam (January 2009).How Are You Helping Companies Grow.Site Selection Magazine. Retrieved on December 27 2009. a b Michigan Blueberries. Agriculture Experiment Station. Michigan State University. Retrieved on January 3 2008. "Article II 9 of state constitution". http://www.legislature.mi.gov/printDocument.aspxobjNamemcl-article-ii-9&versiontxt.  Information on States Without the Death Penaltydead link "History of the Death Penalty Faith in Action Working to Abolish the Death Penalty". Amnestyusa.org. http://www.amnestyusa.org/abolish/event2/history.html. Retrieved 2010-07-25.  Leip David. "Presidential General Election Results Comparison Michigan". US Election Atlas. http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/compare.phpyear2008&fips26&f1&off0&elect0&typestate. Retrieved February 16 2010.  "Jackson Michigan web site historical markers". Jacksonmich.com. 1956-02-18. http://www.jacksonmich.com/markers/mark1.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-25.  "Biography of Gerald R. Ford". Whitehouse.gov. 1974-08-09. http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gf38.html. Retrieved 2010-07-25.  Funk Josh (2006). "Nebraska Born Ford Left State As Infant". Associated Press. Boston.com. Archived from the original on May 7 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080507164532/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/12/27/nebraskabornfordleftstateasinfant/. Retrieved 2007-10-06.  Polar-Equator Trail Michigan Highways "Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources". http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/016077-153-10319-54024--00.html.  SOM Does Michigan have the longest coast line in the United States Shorelines of the Great Lakes Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Retrieved July 8 2010. "Why is Michigan sometimes called "The Wolverine State"". Michigan FAQ. Department of History Arts and Libraries. http://www.michigan.gov/hal/016077-160-154812082620829-54118--00.html#wolver. Retrieved 11 January 2009. "Another nickname for Michigan is the "Great Lake State." Michigan's shores touch four of the five Great Lakes and Michigan has more than 11000 inland lakes. In Michigan you are never more than six miles from an inland lake or more than 85 miles from a Great Lake." dead link "Mean Annual Snowfall" NWS Gaylord Region 31-Aug-2010 "The Geography of Michigan". netstate.com. http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/migeography.htm. Retrieved March 20 2011.  1 srh.noaa.gov. Retrieved November 1 2006. Resident Population Data 2010 Census 2010 Census shows Michigan's population declined since 2000 WXYZ Action News Scripps TV Station Group 2010 "Population and Population Centers by State 2010". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/2010census/centerpop2010/CenPop2010MeanST.txt. Retrieved 2011-04-05.  American FactFinder United States Census Bureau. "Michigan Selected Social Characteristics in the United States: 20062008". Factfinder.census.gov. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTablebmy&-geoid04000US26&-qrnameACS20083YRG00DP3YR2&-dsname&-langen&-redoLogfalse. Retrieved 2010-07-25.  Miyares Ines M. and Airriess Christopher A. (2007). Contemporary Ethnic Geographies in America p. 320. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 0-7425-3772-2. "Detroit Expects Half of Iraqi Refugees". http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStoryid3233636&CMPOTC-RSSFeeds0312.  ""Michiganian or Michigander" Michigan.gov". http://www.michigan.gov/hal/016077-160-154812082620829-54118--00.html#michiganian.  "Merriam Webster Dictionary". http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/michiganite.  Meyer Zlati You Haven't Lived Here until ... You've mastered Michigan Slang March 22 2009 Detroit Free Press Mary A. Dempsey. "Ste. Anne de Detroit Catholic Church". http://www.ste-anne.org/dempsey.html. Retrieved 29 July 2009.  "History". http://www.tbeonline.org/aboutus/history.  "Michigan Religions". http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/262000.asp.  "The Association of Religion Data Archives". http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/262000.asp.  "Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by State". Bea.gov. 2010-11-18. http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/gdpstate/gspnewsrelease.htm. Retrieved 2011-02-04.  Bls.gov; Local Area Unemployment Statistics Michigan Labor Market Information. Retrieved on February 4 2011. Fortune companies - Michigan.CNN Money. Retrieved on July 14 2010. http://www.nass.usda.gov/census/census02/volume1/us/st992035036.pdf "National Christmas Tree Association: Industry Statistics". Christmastree.org. http://www.christmastree.org/statisticsindustry.cfm#findings. Retrieved 2010-07-25.  National Association of Manufacturers (February 2008).Facts about Michigan Manufacturing. Retrieved on June 17 2009. Neuman Scott (December 20 2008). Bush Sets $17.4 B In Loans For Automakers. Retrieved on December 26 2008. Sloan Allan (April 10 2007).GM's High-Performance Pension Machine Washington Post D02. Lindorff Dave (April 19 2005).Health Care Costs and the Jobs Flight to Canada Counterpunch. Retrieved on April 24 2007. Garrett Major (March 31 2009).White House Plots GM Bankruptcy Unsure When Taxpayers Will Recoup $50 Billion Investment.Fox News. Retrieved on June 23 2009. MEDC (2009).Michigan: High Technology Focus. State of Michigan. Retrieved on June 23 2009. Federal Scientific R&D in Michigan Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (2006). From the 2003 Study "Contributions of the Automotive Industry to the U.S. Economy" University of Michigan and the Center for Automotive Research.Retrieved on January 3 2009. MEDC (2005) Michigan#2 in the Nation for New Corporate Facilities and Expansions in 2004 Globeinvestor.com King of the Hill: Top ten competitive states for 2008.Siteselection.com. Retrieved on July 8 2009. Priddle Alisa and David Shepardson (August 6 2009).Mich. gets $1.3B battery jolt.The Detroit News. Retrieved August 6 2009. Lane Amy (March 5 2010). Michigan retains 3rd-place ranking by Site Selection magazine.Crains Detroit Business. Retrieved on April 17 2010. Medernach Karen and Mike O'Conner (March 2010).20072009 New Corporate Facilities and Expansions.Site Selection magazine. Retrieved on April 17 2010. Economic development: Why Michigan.DTE. Retrieved on December 27 2009. MEDC (2006). Commercial Ports State of Michigan Crain's Detroit Business (October 4 2007).Bank of America commits $25 billion for community development in Michigan. Metro Mode Media.Retrieved on January 3 2008. Headapohl Jackie (28 February 2011). "Michigan led the nation in job creation improvement in 2010". mlive.com. http://www.mlive.com/jobs/index.ssf/2011/02/michiganledthenationinjobcreation.html. Retrieved 8 March 2011.  Office of the Governor (June 15 2007). New Michigan Business Tax Key to State's Economic Future State of Michigan.Retrieved on August 10 2007. "Bureau of Economic Analysis". http://www.bea.gov/bea/newsrel/GSPNewsRelease.htm.  2. Michigan agricultural exports by Craig Thiel Fiscal Analyst. Retrieved on September 3 2008. Michigan 20082009 Highlights National Agricultural Statistics Service Michigan Field Office Michigan Department of Agriculture NR-09-77 David D. Kleweno Director October 8 2009 Hanson Eric Department of Horticulture. Small Fruit Crops. Ag Experiment Station Special Reports (07/28/98). Michigan State University. Retrieved on January 3 2008. "Michigan Sugar Company Education". Michigansugar.com. http://www.michigansugar.com/about/education/growing.php. Retrieved 2010-07-25.  "Michigan Sugar Company". http://michigansugar.com/.  Great Lakes IT Report. (May 3 2007).Michigan's Tourism Website No. 1 in the U.S. Retrieved on August 10 2007. "Michigan Tourism Business". Imakenews.com. http://www.imakenews.com/tourism/index000142517.cfm. Retrieved 2010-07-25.  Mink Randy and Karen Mink (July 2001).Detroit Turns 300 Detroit 300 Festival. Travel America World Publishing Co. Gale Group. ""Economic Impact - Natural Resources Boost Michigan's Economy" Michigan.gov". http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/016077-153-38948-121641--00.html.  Michigan Historical Markers Traveling Through time: A guide to Michigan Historical Markers "Great Lakes Circle Tour". Great-lakes.net. 2005-07-05. http://www.great-lakes.net/tourism/circletour/. Retrieved 2010-07-25.  "Detroit River International Crossing Study Website". http://www.partnershipborderstudy.com.  "Railroads Operating in Michigan" (PDF). Michigan Department of Transportation. http://michigan.gov/documents/MDOTOfficialRail1308977.pdf. Retrieved 2008-02-15.  Commuter rail plan to Detroit gets a push: Amtrak from Ann Arbor January 22 2007 Kathleen Gray Detroit Free Press via Internet Archive "Commuter rail service facts". http://www.marp.org/detroitcommuter.htm.  Commuter rail line will have stop in Ypsilanti John Mulcahy The Ann Arbor News March 10 2009 Number of Non Public Schools in Michigan Michigan Department of Education 2010 Number of Public Schools in Michigan Michigan Department of Education 2010 20082009 BULLETIN 1011 Analysis of Michigan Public School Districts Revenues and Expenditures Michigan Department of Education 2009 "The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education (RU/VH: Research Universities (very high research activity))". The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. 2010. http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/lookuplistings/srp.phpclq%7B%22basic2005ids%22%3A%2215%22%7D&startpagestandard.php&backurlstandard.php&limit050. Retrieved March 9 2011.  50th Anniversary Mac Tools U.S. Nationals: History Runk David (25 February 2004). "First Michigan wolverine spotted in 200 years". Associated Press. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4374309/. Retrieved 23 December 2008.  Bell Dawson (2010-03-15). "Only known wolverine in the Michigan wild dies". Detroit Free Press. http://www.freep.com/article/20100315/NEWS06/100315027/1318/Only-wolverine-in-Mich.-wild-dies.  "Michigan state motto at least on its coat of arms". http://www.netstate.com/states/mottoes/mimotto.htm.  "Law enacting State Court of Arms". http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(1vf2tp45f2zrc43menveha55))/mileg.aspxpageGetObject&objectnamemcl-2-22&queryid21357829&highlightstate%20AND%20motto.  "Michigan's State Songs". http://www.michigan.gov/hal/016077-160--54116--00.html.  "Birmingham Sister City Program". http://www.ci.birmingham.mi.us/home/index.asppage419.  "Briefing on Sichuan International Sister Cities Cooperation and Development Week 2005". http://www.scfao.gov.cn/2005/2.html.  Further reading Bald F. Clever Michigan in Four Centuries (1961)/ Browne William P. and Kenneth VerBurg. Michigan Politics & Government: Facing Change in a Complex State University of Nebraska Press. 1995. Bureau of Business Research Wayne State U. Michigan Statistical Abstract (1987). Clarke Historical Library Central Michigan University Bibliographies for Michigan by region counties etc.. Dunbar Willis F. and George S. May. Michigan: A History of the Wolverine State (1995) excerpt and text search Michigan State of. Michigan Manual (annual) elaborate detail on state government. Press Charles et al. Michigan Political Atlas (1984). Public Sector Consultants. Michigan in Brief. An Issues Handbook (annual) Rich Wilbur. Coleman Young and Detroit Politics: From Social Activist to Power Broker (Wayne State University Press 1988). Rubenstein Bruce A. and Lawrence E. Ziewacz. Michigan: A History of the Great Lakes State. (2nd ed. 2008) Sisson Richard Ed. The American Midwest: An Interpretive Encyclopedia (2006) Weeks George Stewards of the State: The Governors of Michigan (Historical Society of Michigan 1987). External links Find more about Michigan on Wikipedia's sister projects: Definitions from Wiktionary Images and media from Commons Learning resources from Wikiversity News stories from Wikinews Quotations from Wikiquote Source texts from Wikisource Textbooks from Wikibooks OpenStreetMap has geographic data related to: Michigan State of Michigan government website Energy Data & Statistics for Michigan Info Michigan detailed information on 630 cities Michigan Historic Markers Michigan History Magazine Michigan Lighthouse Chronology Clark Historical Library Michigan State Guide from the Library of Congress Michigan Official Travel Site Michigan travel guide from Wikitravel Michigan at the Open Directory Project Michigan State Fact Sheet from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Michigan Underwater Preserves Council The Michigan Municipal League USGS real-time geographic and other scientific resources of Michigan Upper Michigan  Canada  Ontario Lake Michigan Lake Huron    Michigan: Outline Index      Illinois  Indiana  Ohio Lake Erie  Articles Related to Michigan The Great Lakes State The Wolverine State v d e State of Michigan Lansing (capital) Topics Congressional delegation  Geography  Governors  History  Islands  Legislature  Lieutenant Governors  Lighthouses  Museums  National Historic Landmarks  National Register of Historic Places listings  People  State Historic Sites  State parks  Supreme Court  Tallest buildings  Timeline  Topics  Visitor attractions Regions Upper Peninsula Copper Country  Keweenaw Peninsula  Gogebic Range Lower Peninsula Central Michigan  Southern Michigan  Flint/Tri-Cities  The Thumb  The Greater Tri Cities  Michiana  Northern Michigan  Southeast Michigan  Metro Detroit  West Michigan Largest Municipalities Alpena  Ann Arbor  Battle Creek  Bay City  Bloomfield Township  Canton Township  Chesterfield Township  Clinton Township  Commerce Township  Dearborn  Dearborn Heights  Detroit  East Lansing  Eastpointe  Farmington Hills  Flint  Flint Township  Georgetown Township  Grand Rapids  Holland  Jackson  Kalamazoo  Kentwood  Lansing  Lincoln Park  Livonia  Macomb Township  Meridian Township  Midland  Muskegon  Novi  Pontiac  Portage  Redford  Rochester Hills  Roseville  Royal Oak  Saginaw  Saginaw Township  St. Clair Shores  Shelby Township  Southfield  Sterling Heights  Taylor  Troy  Warren  Waterford Township  West Bloomfield  Westland  Wyoming  Ypsilanti Township Counties Alcona  Alger  Allegan  Alpena  Antrim  Arenac  Baraga  Barry  Bay  Benzie  Berrien  Branch  Calhoun  Cass  Charlevoix  Cheboygan  Chippewa  Clare  Clinton  Crawford  Delta  Dickinson  Eaton  Emmet  Genesee  Gladwin  Gogebic  Grand Traverse  Gratiot  Hillsdale  Houghton  Huron  Ingham  Ionia  Iosco  Iron  Isabella  Jackson  Kalamazoo  Kalkaska  Kent  Keweenaw  Lake  Lapeer  Leelanau  Lenawee  Livingston  Luce  Mackinac  Macomb  Manistee  Marquette  Mason  Mecosta  Menominee  Midland  Missaukee  Monroe  Montcalm  Montmorency  Muskegon  Newaygo  Oakland  Oceana  Ogemaw  Ontonagon  Osceola  Oscoda  Otsego  Ottawa  Presque Isle  Roscommon  Saginaw  Sanilac  Schoolcraft  Shiawassee  St. Clair  St. Joseph  Tuscola  Van Buren  Washtenaw  Wayne  Wexford v d eProtected Areas of Michigan See also: Important Bird Areas of Michigan Federal National Parks: Isle Royale National Park National Historic Parks: Keweenaw National Historical Park National Military Parks: River Raisin National Battlefield Park National Memorials: Father Marquette National Memorial National Lakeshores: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore  Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore National Natural Landmark Black Spruce Bog Natural Area  Dead Stream Swamp  Dukes Research Natural Area  Grand Mere Lakes   Haven Hill State Natural Area  Newton Woods  Porcupine Mountains  Roscommon Virgin Pine Stand  Strangmoor Bog  Tobico Marsh  Toumey Woods  Warren Woods State Park National Forests Hiawatha  Huron-Manistee  Ottawa National Wildlife Refuges: Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge  Harbor Island  Huron  Kirtlands Warbler Wildlife Management Area  Michigan Islands  Michigan Wetland Management District  Seney  Shiawassee  State State Parks Algonac  Aloha  Baraga  Bewabic  Brimley  Burt Lake  Cambridge Junction  Cheboygan  Clear Lake  Coldwater Lake  Craig Lake  Dodge #4  Duck Lake  Fayette  Fisherman's Island  Fort Michilimackinac  Fort Wilkins  Grand Haven  Grand Mere  Harrisville  Hart-Montague Trail  Hartwick Pines  Hayes  Mill Creek  P.H. 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