Michigan Info
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Capital City:
Lansing
Economy: Industry, agriculture and tourism.
Population: 9,938,444
Time Zone: 5-6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-5 and
-6 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the first Sunday in April
to the last Sunday in October.
Michigan's Flag:
The design on Michigan's deep blue field has three mottoes: On a red ribbon
- "One Nation Made Up of Many States" On a blue shield - "I
will Defend" On a white ribbon - "If You Seek a Pleasant Peninsula,
Look Around" On the blue shield the sun rises over a lake and peninsula,
a man with raised hand and holding a gun represents peace and the ability
to defend his rights. The elk and moose are symbols of Michigan, while the
eagle represents the United States.
History of Michigan:
Indian tribes were living in the Michigan region when the first European,
Étienne Brulé of France, arrived in 1618. Other French explorers,
including Jacques Marquette, Louis Joliet, and sieur de la Salle, followed,
and the first permanent settlement was established in 1668 at Sault Ste.
Marie. France was ousted from the territory by Great Britain in 1763, following
the French and Indian Wars. After the Revolutionary War, the U.S. acquired
most of the region, which remained the scene of constant conflict between
the British and U.S. forces and their respective Indian allies through the
War of 1812. Bordering on four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan is divided
into Upper and Lower peninsulas by the Straits of Mackinac, which link lakes
Michigan and Huron. The two parts of the state are connected by the Mackinac
Bridge, one of the world's longest suspension bridges. To the north, connecting
lakes Superior and Huron, are the busy Sault Ste. Marie Canals. While Michigan
ranks first among the states in production of motor vehicles and parts,
it is also a leader in many other manufacturing and processing lines, including
prepared cereals, machine tools, airplane parts, refrigerators, hardware,
steel springs, and furniture. The state produces important amounts of iron,
copper, iodine, gypsum, bromine, salt, lime, gravel, and cement. Michigan's
farms grow apples, cherries, beans, pears, grapes, potatoes, and sugar beets.
Michigan's forests contribute significantly to the state's economy. Forest-based
industries (wood product industry, tourism, and recreation) support nearly
180,000 jobs and contribute over $18 billion to the state economy. With
10,083 inland lakes and 3,288 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, Michigan is
a prime area for both commercial and sport fishing. Points of interest are
the automobile plants in Dearborn, Detroit, Flint, Lansing, and Pontiac;
Mackinac Island; Pictured Rocks and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshores;
Greenfield Village in Dearborn; and the many summer resorts along both the
inland and Great Lakes.
Other Michigan Links:
Michigan Association of Convention and Visitors
Bureaus
Michigan State Chamber of Commerce
Michigan Department of Education
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Michigan Legislature
Michigan State Library
Michigan Municipal League
Michigan Travel Bureau |
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