Fun Easy English - Travel the United States of America

CAPITAL CITY: Lansing

BACKGROUND

Michigan gets its name from an Ojibwa (Chippewa) Indian word meaning "large lake." in 1837, Michigan became the 26th state in the Union. Michigan is one of the nation's leading manufacturing states and it leads in the production of automobiles. Detroit, Michigan's largest city, is called the Automobile Capital of the World or Motor City. Michigan touches four of the five Great Lakes - Erie, Huron, Michigan and Superior. It also has an additional 11,000 smaller lakes. The state's 5,000 kilometer shoreline is longer than that of any other state except Alaska.

Michigan has year-round activities for people who enjoy sports and the outdoors. Michigan has an unusual geography, as it consists of two land masses - the sparsely populated Upper Peninsula and the mitten-shaped Lower Peninsula, home to most of the state's residents.

QUICK FACTS

Nickname: Great Lakes State/ Wolverine State / Water Wonderland

Motto: Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam, Circumspice
(If You Seek a Pleasant peninsula, Look About You)

Statehood: January 26, 1837 (26th)

Origin of State's Name: Based on Chippewa Indian word "meicigama" meaning "great water," and referring to the Great Lake

Largest Cities: Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Flint, Lansing

Border States: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin

Land Area: 56,809 sq. mi., 22nd largest

State Bird: Robin

State Flower: Apple Blossom (pyrus coronaria)

State Tree: White pine (pinus strobus)

State Song: Michigan, My Michigan

USEFUL LINKS

Miscellaneous

Travel and tourism site for Michigan - This state travel and territorial tourism site provides ideas for your vacations, meetings, and more.