Michigan Geography

Basic Facts

• Geographical Region: Midwest
• Size: 96810 sq.mi., 11th rank overall.
• Admitted to Statehood: January 26, 1837
• Population: 9,969,727;8th rank overall.
• Capital: Lansing
• Other Major City: Detroit
• Abbreviation: MI

Fun Facts

• Nickname: Wolverine State / Great Lakes State
• State Flag: Click Here (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Bird: Robin (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Flower: Apple Blossom (opens window to 50states.com)

Geographical Description

• Michigan consists of two peninsulas that are separated by the Straits of Mackinac.
• The Upper Peninsula is heavily forested relatively mountainous in the west. The Porcupine Mountains are located here. They are part of one of the oldest mountain chains in the world and rise to an altitude of almost 2,000 feet above sea level.
• Mount Arvon, in the Huron Mountains northwest of Marquette is the state's highest point at 1,979 feet above sea level.
• The Lower Peninsula, shaped like a mitten is level and broken by conical hills and glacial moraines.

Map: Relief Map of MI

Industry

Automobiles, transportation equipment, machinery, fabricated metal products, nonelectrical machinery, food processing, chemical products, mining, tourism.

Agriculture

Dairy products, carrots, apples, blueberries, cucumbers, cattle, vegetables, hogs, corn, nursery stock, soybeans, greenhouse products.

Other Information

Fun Facts:

• The car capital of the world is Detroit.
• The Kellogg brothers accidentally discovered how to make flaked cereal which started the dry cereal industry. Battle Creek later became known as the Cereal Capital of the World.
• James Vernor created the first soda pop made in the United States when he stored a beverage in an oak case. When he returned home from the Civil war, 4 years later, the drink had acquired a delicious gingery flavor. He created ginger ale.
• J.W. Westcott II of Michigan is the only floating post office in the world, delivering mail to ships while they are underway.
• Standing anywhere in the s a person is within 85 miles of one of the Great Lakes.
• You are within 85 miles of one of the Great Lakes standing anywhere in Michigan.

More Fun Facts: http://www.50states.com/facts/michigan.htm