Explore a destination located in Michigan, United States
The state of Michigan is uniquely connected to Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie—four of the five great lakes. This geographical feature has given Michigan the nickname of the “Great Lakes State.”[1] Activities are abundant near the lakes, of which one of the most popular is the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which has one of the most iconic hikes in the state. Other activities include fishing, camping, swimming, boating, and beach games.[5] Scuba diving is a popular draw to the lakes since so many remains of past shipwrecks line the bottom of the lakes. Diving locations include Thunder Bay National Marine, Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve, Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve, Keweenaw, and Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve.[6] The state’s government has emphasized the service sector to add another contributor to their economy since the main contributor, the automotive industry, has crashed multiple times in its history.[1] A popular attraction is The Henry Ford, where one can learn about Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company.[7] When Visiting the state, most people choose to come from May to September when the weather is warmer.[8]
Michigan, also known as the “Great Lakes State,” is located in the top region of the United States, connecting it to Canada in some parts. The state is surrounded primarily by lakes, hence its well-known nickname. When looking at the map, the state is clearly defined by the lakes also giving it the appearance of a mitten.[1] The name Michigan derives from “mishigami,” an original Ojibwe word meaning large water. Michigan is primarily known for its large lakes and for the city of Detriot. The city is one of the largest metropolitan economies and is the most populated city in the state but is surprisingly not the state’s capital. Detroit is considerably larger than Lansing, the state capital.[2] Michigan has an overall population of 9,992,427. 713,800 of these people live in the Detroit metropolitan area.[3]
Activities for visitors are abundant in Michigan due to the fact that it touches four of the five Great Lakes. No matter where you travel to inside the state, there will always be one of the Great Lakes within 85 miles.[4] The most commonly known lake that borders the state is Lake Michigan, which connects to the whole west side of the land. The lake is the fifth largest in the world and has an average depth of 279 feet. White sandy beaches line the lake’s waters, and National parks and lakeshores surround it. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is home to one of the most iconic hikes in the Great Lakes region. All the lakes connected to Michigan provide activities such as hiking, camping, swimming, cycling, fishing, winter sports, and water sports. Popular water sports include boating, sailing, surfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking.[5]
One of the most popular things to do inside the lakes is scuba diving. The lakes were once the busiest highways in America, with ships transporting lumber, coal, iron, etc. Such transportation on water ultimately led to multiple shipwrecks that ended up on the bottom of the lake. Now tourists can learn how to scuba dive at these sites. Prime locations to discover shipwrecks include Keweenaw, Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve, Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve, Thunder Bay National Marine, and Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve.[6]
Attractions in Michigan include Mackinac Island, Detroit Institute of Arts, Pictured Rocks National Seashore, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, and The Henry Ford. Three attractions are within The Henry Ford include the Greenfield Village, the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour. History on the life of Henry Ford is found here with the experience of being taken back to what life was like in the 19th century. The University of Michigan was initially founded in 1817 and is another historic site. It is common for tourists to visit the university to see the old Gothic buildings.[7] People often note the best time to visit Michigan is between May and September, during the spring and summertime. The kick-off for the busy season is on Memorial Day. This time of year provides the ideal weather for the various outdoor recreational activities that help make the state popular.[8]
America’s most successful industrial state is Michigan, which earns the title from success in the automobile industry.[9] Originally the economy of Michigan was based on small-scale agriculture but later became dependent on lumbering until the forest became exhausted of its resources. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the automotive industry began to influence the economy. Still, this industry has resulted in highs and lows for the state with fluctuating automotive demands. To provide more stability, the government has since implemented programs to expand the service sector in the state to include more tourism and education.[1] Despite the economic crashes in car manufacturing, the residents of Michigan have learned to rebuild their lives and work hard. Their resilience is highlighted by the rough conditions they live in during the brutal winters with no complaint.[9]
Michigan has grown through the cosmopolitan atmosphere that has developed throughout its history. Motown, a popular music industry, was founded in Detriot and has become one of the nation's most successful recording companies.[1] Detroit is also home to major sports teams, including the Detriot Lions, Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings, and the Detroit Tigers.[4]
Michigan borders are unique compared to other states because it is surrounded chiefly by lakes instead of land. Lake Erie, Huron, Superior, and Michigan are the four lakes bordering Michigan and consist of four of the five Great Lakes.[4] The shape of Michigan has become iconic since the lakes define the borders into the form of a mitten. Indiana, Ohio, and Canada also border Michigan. The land is split into two peninsulas, separated by the Straits of Mackinac. The upper peninsula is heavily forested and mountainous in the western area. The lower peninsula is what gives the appearance of a mitten. Parts of Michigan consist of islands, with the main ones being North Manitou, South Manitou, Isle Royale, and Grande Isle.[2]
The weather in Michigan varies with the time of year. The summer weather is mostly sunny, with temperatures that range from 76 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees.[8] The winter temperatures are anywhere between a low of five degrees Fahrenheit to 20 degrees.[1] The warm season is the busiest time of year for Michigan, with high amounts of people wanting to participate in outdoor activities in the surrounding area. The shoulder season is from March to May and October to November. If visiting the state during this time, there may be an unexpected surprise of snowfall that is unpredictable. However, these months make for the best time for photographers with the changes of the fall colors and the onset of spring. A popular spot for photography is Porcupine Mountains Wilderness.[8]
The overall climate of Michigan is usually described as moderate and somewhat a moister climate. The average snowfall in the winter is 160 inches.[2] Rainfall is expected to occur for eleven months of the year with snowfalls during the remaining month. The summers are muggy with humidity but aren’t overbearing, only reaching unbearable about 9% of the year.[10]
Michigan was once heavily forested until lumber production took off in the 19th century. Since then, half of the state is forested but is steadily being regrown with oak, hickory, maple, beech, pine, aspen, and hemlock.[1] Common wildflowers in the area include Michigan rose, evening primrose, orange coneflower, and yellow monkeyflower. The state’s ecosystem can support all kinds of life, including various types of wildlife; white-tailed deer, elk, moose, bullfrogs, spiny soft-shell turtles, and more than 360 species of birds.[11] With the proximity of the four great lakes, fishing is a popular activity for visitors and residents of Michigan. The lakes are stocked with whitefish, trout, perch, pike, and bass.[1]
Michigan was first inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Ottawa, Ojibwa, Miami, and Potawatomi. The Ottawa, Ojibwa, and Potawatomi nations formed an alliance known as the “Three Fires.” [1] It was from the Ojibwe people that the name Michigan came to be, derived front the word “mishigami,” meaning large water.[2] The first European contact with the natives occurred in 1622 from Etienne Brule, an early missionary, fur trader, and explorer. These early settlers paved the way for the French to gain control of Michigan. Initially, there was little unrest between the two people, but soon after, the Native Americans became fur trappers and guides while the women would often provide food for the French. In return, the settlers would give the natives guns, knives, axes, cloth, and alcohol. Sault Sainte Marie, founded in 1668, is the oldest settlement in Michigan. In 1701, Detroit was established by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac as a fur-trading post. The territory eventually fell into British hands after the signing of the Treaty of Paris. It wasn’t until 1783 that Michigan became part of the United States territory; later the land officially became a state on January 26, 1837. Relations between the new nation and Native Americans were strenuous, resulting in the relocation of the indigenous people to a different part of the state out west.[1]
During the early days of Michigan, mining and forestry jumpstarted the economy but were later dominated by the automotive industry.[1] Individuals such as Henry Ford aided in the development and enthusiasm for the new industry. This new production has been seen as permanently changing the socio-economic life in the United States and the world.[2] The Great Lakes were used to transport resources, but an estimated 6,000 vessels were lost due to unpredictable conditions. Michigan waters are home to 1,500 of these ships.[12]
The growth of Michigan gave way to racial polarization, with major riots happening in 1943 and 1967. These events aided in Michigan merging as the first in the country to provide a Department of Civil Rights. The growth since first gaining statehood has also given Michigan the title of the eleventh biggest state in the United States, with a total population of 9,992,427 people. Although in the 2010 US Census, Michigan was the only state to see a population drop within the last decade. The population is currently projected to keep declining unless the government emphasizes immigration and business growth.[3]
Another business that adds to the economy of Michigan is Kellogg’s Cereal company which is headquartered in Battle Creek. A cereal festival is held each year where the world’s longest picnic table is set up. Another of Michigan's innovations was the founding of the University of Michigan, the first university founded by a state. It was founded in 1817 under its original name Catholepistemiad. Several famous people in the United States claim Michigan as their home state, such as Henry Ford, Madonna, Serena Williams, Stevie Wonder, and Burt Reynolds.[4]
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