Featured Michigan Cities and Counties

Grand Rapids Lansing

Michigan Quick Facts

The eighth most populous state, and named after Lake Michigan, which name comes from a term meaning "large water" or "large lake," Michigan is home to a population of around 10 million. The state is home to the longest freshwater shoreline in the world, with four of the five Great Lakes bordering it. There are also 12,000 inland lakes, and one is never more than six miles from a natural water source in the state. It is the only state to consist entirely of two peninsulas, as the upper and lower peninsulas are connected by the five-mile Mackinac Bridge, the third longest suspension bridge in the world. The state's capital is Lansing, its largest city is Detriot and other large cities include Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint and Dearborn. Michigan is home to more lighthouses than any other state and is the largest state east of the Mississippi River when its territorial waters are included. Forestland covers nearly half of the state, with the Porcupine Mountains in the Upper Peninsula. There are numerous large islands around the peninsulas, and one national park, Isle Royale National Park, in Lake Superior. Seventy-eight state parks, 19 state recreation areas, and six state forests give the state the largest state park and forest system in the country.

The Michigan economy is a leader in information technology, life sciences and advanced manufacturing, and the state is particularly known for its auto industry. The state ranks fourth nationally in high-tech employment, and also ranks highly in research and development spending. The state is the third largest grower of Christmas trees with more than 60,500 acres dedicated to them. Large public universities in the state include the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Western Michigan University and Wayne State University. Attractions in the state include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Zoo, 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 Detroit metro area offers four major casinos. Hunting is a popular pastime in the state, and Michigan has more licensed hunters than any other state. The state has a major sports team in each league: baseball's Tigers, football's Lions and basketball's Pistons, and it is home to more public golf courses than any other state.