MICHIGAN FROM A-Z

Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam, cirumspice
If you seek a pleasant penininsula, look about you

Facts about Michigan for each letter of the alphabet.
Click on highlighted word for more information.

• Information about the AGRICULTURE of Michigan is provided by the Department of Agriculture. The state is one of the highest producers in the country of over 2 dozen agricultural crops . The Thumb of Michigan is dominated by farmlands. Johnny Appleseed is credited with being the founder of the the fruit culture in the Southwest part of the state. The State Soil is Kalkaska Soil. Elsie is the home of the largest registered Holstein dairy herd in the world. The National Agriculture Satistic Service and Michigan Farm Bureau provide information about agriculture. Michigan has 4-H Clubs and chapters of Future Farmers of America.

• The Amish way of life largely revolves around working and socializing together as a family and community. Michigan has several Amish Communities

• October is ARCHAEOLOGY Month in Michigan, and the state has archaeology events throughout the year. The Kelsey Museum of Archaeology sponsors research and educational programs for children. The Office of the State Archaeologist records, investigates, interprets, and protects archaeological sites in Michigan. Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Reserve protects over 100 shipwrecks. Michigan Archaeological Society provides information on archaeology in the state.

• ART museums are located throughout Michigan. The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs promotes arts throughout the state. The Detroit Institute of Fine Arts is one of the largest fine arts museums in the country. Interlochen Center for the Arts is one of the most outstanding facilities in the world for developing youth talent in the creation arts. Arts and Crafts Shows are held throughout the year in the state. The Michigan Artrain is a unique art gallery on wheels which tours the country aboard 5 railroad cars.

• Michigan has over 3,000 miles of shoreline - more than any other state - and many BEACHES. There are 2 beaches at Aloha State Park. The state has a Beach Guard Program.

• Michigan has 419 species of Birds including several endangered, extinct and threatened birds. The Michigan State Bird is the Robin but efforts are being made to make Kirtland's Warbler the State Bird. The Michigan Audubon Society promotes education, research, and conservation of birds and their habitats in the state. There are many Birding Hotspots.

• Michigan has many BRIDGES including Historic Bridges, Covered Bridges, and Suspension Bridges. The Langley Covered Bridge is the longest covered bridge in Michigan and one of the longest in the country. The Ambassador Bridge was the longest in the world when it was completed in 1929. The Blue Water Bridges are a major international crossing over the St. Clair river at the southern end of Lake Huron. The International Bridge opened in 1962. The Mackinac Bridge spans the Straits of Mackinac. It connects the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan and is currently the third longest such structure in the world. Bridges connect the Lower Peninsula to Ontario at Detroit and Port Huron. The tunnel between Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Canada was the first international submarine railway tunnel in the world. The first auto traffic tunnel built between 2 nations was the mile-long Detroit-Windsor tunnel under the Detroit River.

• Michigan has several Scenic BYWAYS and a variety of loop tours, and circle tours. Michigan also has many trails including Horse Trails and participates in National Trails Day Michigan has the largest percent of the North Country Trail being developed from New York to North Dakota. Michigan Mountain Biking Association has trail descriptions and events. Michigan Trail Riders Association has a variety of equestrian information. White Pine Trail State Park is part of the Rails to Trails project. Michigan has many Roadside Attractions.

• The first State Capital of Michigan was Detroit, but it was moved to Lansing in 1847 because of its central location. The State Capitol building has served as a model for the design of other capitol buildings. The state is known as the Automotive Capital of the world, and Detroit is known as the Car Capital of the World. Battle Creek is the Cereal Capital of the World. Colon is called the Magic Capital of the World. Traverse City is called the Cherry Capital of the world and hosts a National Cherry Festival.

• Michigan has all forms of COMMUNICATION including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, telephone, and internet. The state has 12 telephone area codes. In 1879 Detroit telephone customers were first in the country to be assigned phone numbers to facilitate handling calls. Internet Service Providers are located throughout the state and most businesses and schools are online. Webcams are located throughout the state.

• Michigan has 83 COUNTIES and 40 of them adjoin at least one of the Great Lakes. Marquette is the largest county and Benzie is the smallest. Wayne County has the largest population and is the oldest county based on the date of incorporation, and Keweenaw County has the smallest population. Sault Ste. Marie is the 3rd oldest remaining settlement in the country. Michigan also has VILLAGES, Townships, and Unincorporated Communities. Detroit is the largest city in the state. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states for the level of government below the State Government.

• Michigan has over 2,500 DAMS, and many of them are Hydroelectric Dams. The Grand Rapids built the first hydroelectric plan in the country. Lundington Dam is one of the largest dams in the country and is a State Park. The French Landing Dam and Powerhouse was the largest and last of 5 dams built on Huron River. The Hamlin Lake Dam area is a historical marker. There are also a number of locks and canals. The Soo Locks allows freighters to pass from Lake Huron to Lake Superior. Two types of Geothermal Energy are being used commercially, and Wind Power is being investigated.

• No Mesozoic rocks are believed to be in Michigan so there were probably not any DINOSAURS, but evidence of wooly mammoths and mastodons have been found throughout lower Michigan. Two mastodons were uncovered at the Shelton Mastodon Site and the mastodon is the State Fossil. Some of the oldest rocks in North America are exposed in the upper Penninsula of Michigan and contain some of the oldest fossil evidence in the state. Dinosaur Gardens Prehistoric Zoo is a mixture of dinosaurs and cavemen.

• Michigan has experience many EARTHQUAKES The first occurred in 1793 the the most recent was in 2001. The Michigan Seismic Network has seismographic stations and institutes throughout the state. The USGS has a special page for kids about earthquakes

• The Michigan Department of EDUCATION oversees education in the state and provides information about schools K-12. Children are required to attend school from the age of 6 thru their 16th birthday. Homeschool Options are available. Michigan was the 1st state to guarantee every child the right to a tax-paid high school education. It was also the first state to provide Drivers Ed in high school. MICASE provides creative after-school experiences for children. Information about schools in Michigan is provided by SchoolBug and GreatSchools.

• Michigan has a variety of EVENTS including Festivals and Fairs. The Michigan State Fair was the first State Fair in the country. Irish Hills Fun Center has many activities. . Scottish Games and Festivals are held throughout the state. Alma has a Highland Festival and Games. The city of Holland has a Tulip Time Festival. Each year there is a Celebrate Michigan Week. The state celebrates Public Holidays and other special days.

• Michigan has a variety of FISH, creustaceans, mussels, and clams. Fishing is a popular activity and Michigan ranks 1st in state boat registrations. Michigan has several Fish Hatcheries including 3 National Fish Hatcheries. The State fish is the Brook Trout.

• Four flags have flown over Michigan � French, English, Spanish, and United States. The State Flag is deep blue and has the State in the center Coat of Arms Several counties, cities, townships, and Tribes have a flag including Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Brighton Township, Chippewa County, Kent County, The Sault Ste. Marie Objibwe, and the Potawatomi. The state has 56 battle flags, most from the Civil War.

  Michigan has an interesting FOOD history and has food Fairs, Festivals, and Events. The Food Bank Council obtains and distributes monetary and food donations from Michigan citizens, growers and businesses. Several food companies are located in Michigan including Kellogg's and Better Made Snack Food that has been in operation since 1930.

• There are over 50 FORTS in Michigan. Fort Mackinac is a State Historic Park. It has restored buildings, blockhouses, the original stone ramparts, and costumed guides reenact life in a military fort during the 1700s. Fort Wilkins is a State Park. Fort Wayne is a Civil War-era fort open to the public on special occasions and during the annual celebration of Detroit's birthday.

• The US Geological Survey provides information and a map about the GEOLOGY of Michigan. The Northern and Southern Peninsulas are Geologically Different. Michigan is part of the Great Lakes Mapping Coalition. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality emphasizes the importance of the geology of the state.

• Michigan has over 50 GHOST TOWNS. The town of Caspian is a semi-ghost town with 900 residents and a mining museum. Fayette has many structures. Edgewood has a General Store and stone foundations. Damon has an old store and a post office. Lum has a few old buildings. Moran has a few old buildings and 2 churches. Podunk has an old 1-room school house and a church. Tula has a wood (split-log) cabin. Wilson has an old school house and numerous abandoned buildings.

• The GLOBAL POSTION of Michigan is approximately 42 degrees north to 84 degrees west. The state can be identified from space by its mitten shape. The geographic center is Wexford. The highest point is Mt. Arvon and the lowest is the shore of Lake Eri. Michigan has more freshwater coastline than any other state. NOAA provides information about the topography of Michigan which includes 2 major landformations - Superior Uplands and Great Lakes Plains. Geocaching is a popular activity and there are many geocache sites in the state.

• Michigan has many HISTORIC SITES and National Historic Landmarks. There are also Historical Markers. The Michigan Historical Museum has sites throughout the state. The National Trust helps protect historic places in Michigan.

• The HISTORY of Michigan dates back thousands of years.The recorded history of the state began in the 1600s. The Sanilac Petroglyphs provide a glimpse into the lives of ancient woodland people. Students are encouraged to participate in National History Day

• Michigan has a variety of INSECTS including more than 150 species of grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets. Michigan has many species of dragonflies, and the Green Darner Dragonfly has been suggested as the State Insect. The Michigan Odonata Survey provides information about dragonflies in the state. The Michigan Lepidoptera Survey identifies moths, butterflies, and skippers in the state.

• Michigan has several hundred different types of INDUSTRIES. The 3 major industries are manufacturing, farming and tourism, and the state is the automotive center of North America. More than 2,000 Michigan firms engage in international trade. Two of the top 5 industrial corporations and 20 of the top 500 businesses are headquartered in Michigan and it is the hub of the Great Lakes industrial market. The first soda pop made in the country was created in Detroit - Vernors Ginger Ale. Trade Shows are held throughout the year.

• Michigan has 74 ISLANDS. The Manitou Islands are part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Mackinac Island is an American National Historical Landmark. Beaver Island is the largest island in Lake Michigan. Isle Royale is an archipelago in the northwest corner of Lake Superior and is accessible only by boat or floatplane. Travel on and around the island is by foot, boat, or float plane. It has 165 miles of trails and numerous inland lakes. Ryan Island in Siskiwit Lake on Isle Royale in Lake Superior is the largest island in a lake on an island in a lake (bet you have to reread that!).

• JAZZ is popular in Michigan. The Southeastern Michigan Jazz Association promotes the understanding and appreciation of Jazz. The West Michigan Jazz Society promotes, preserves, and perpetuated live jazz. The North Michigan University has a Jazz Festival, and a Jazz Fest is held in Lansing. Music concerts and events are held throughout the year. The Pine Mountain Music Festival has events and artists at several areas. Symphony Orchestras are located throughout the state. The Detroit Opera House has events throughout the year. The Official State Song is Michigan, My Michigan. The city of Grand Haven has a musical fountain.

• Michigan has KARST, caves, and caverns. The Karst Waters Institute and The Michigan Karst Conservancy helps preserve karst areas in the state. Bear Cave is a Show Cave. Grand Island has ice caves and ice cliffs. The National Speological Society has chapters in Michigan.

• Many aspects of life in Michigan focus on KIDS including natural, man-made, and cultural opportunities. MIKids has puzzles, games, and information for kids. At the Grand Rapids Childrens' Museum, kids play and learn at the same time.

• Michigan has more than 11,000 LAKES, and it is the only state that touches 4 of the 5 Great Lakes. Lake Superior is the 2nd largest natural lake in the world, and Lakes Huron and Michiga are 5th and 6th largest. Ports are located on the lakes and the Detroit river. Michigan has 2 National Lakeshores - Pictured Rocks and Sleeping Bear Dunes.

• There are Public LIBRARIES throughout Michigan, and it was the first state to provide in its Constitution for the establishment of Public Libraries. The State Library is in Lansing. The William L. Clements Library is famous for its collection of Early America. The Gerald R. Ford Library holds papers of the former president.

• Michigan has over a hundred LIGHTHOUSES and navigational aids - more than any other state. Many of them are Historic Light Stations. There are lighthouses on Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Erie, and Lake St. Clair. The Mackinac Area has 7 lighthouses. Seul Choix Point Lighthouse in Gulliver has been in use since 1895 and has a museum. The Holland Harbor Lighthouse is known as "Big Red".

• Michigan has several MILITARY installations including The Detroit Arsenal, US Army Garrison at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and 2 Major Training Centers - Camp Grayling and Camp Custer. Michigan has Army and Air National Guard Units. The Army Corps of Engineers regulates many activities in the Michigan waterways.

• Michigan has a wide variety of MINERALS. There is a mineral for nearly every letter of the alphabet. The state has a long mining history. Michigan is 1st in production of magnesium compounds and 2nd in gypsum and iron ore. The Michigan Mineralogy Society promoted the hobby of collecting a variety of minerals. The Upper Michigan Copper Country is the largest commercial deposit of native copper in the world. Coppertown U.S.A. in Calumet has a model mine and mining equipment. The Iron Mountain Mine has a train ride and demonstrations of mining machinery. Alpena is the home of the largest cement plant in the world and is known as Cement City. Rogers City claims to have the largest limestone quarry in the world. The Petoskey is the official State Stone, and the state gem is the Greenstone (chlorastroilite). Other gems include Agate and Hematite. The official State Minerological Museum is in Houghton.

• Michigan has 7 mountain ranges and many MOUNTAINS have excellent skiing. The Porcupine Mountains State Park is the largest area of undeveloped wilderness in Michigan.

• Michigan has over 200 MUSEUMS. The Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village is in Dearborn. The Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. Museum features the history of transportation. The Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum has vintage aircraft. Several museums and mining tours focus on mining heritage in Michigan. The Gerald R. Ford Museum is in Grand Rapids. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum stand at a point where 300 shipwrecks occured.

• The name Michigan is derived from the Indian words Mici-Gama meaning large lake. Michigan has several nicknames - Bay State because of it proximity to several large bays, Old Colony State refers to the original Plymouth colony, Great Lake State because it's shores touch four of the 5 Great Lakes, and Water Wonderland because of the extensive lakes and rivers. It is also called the Wolverine State, but it no longer has any wolverines and The Mitten because it is shaped like a mitten. Ann Arbor is nicknamed "The Tree City".The city of Novi was named from its designation as Stagecoach stop #6 or No. VI. Sault St. Marie called "The Soo". Kalamazoo is called "Kazoo". Saugatuck is called "the Art Coast of Michigan". At one time Muskegon was called "The Lumber Queen of the World". Manistee is called the "Victorian Port City".

• Michigan has several tribes of NATIVE AMERICANS and Tribal Nations. The 3 major tribes are the Chippewa (ojibwe), the Ottawoa, and the Potawatome. Tribal Communities include Hannaville Indian Community, the Bay Mills Indian Community, and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. There are several Indian reservations in the state. Michigan has Tribal Casinos, and Powwows. The Chief Pontiac Trail Program offers an outdoor experience for all ages.

• Michigan has several OBSERVATORIES including Fox Park Public Observatory, McMath Huylbert Solar Observatory, and Veen James C. Observatory, Baldwin Observatory, and Calfin College Observatory. There are also several Planetariums including Abrams Planetarium, Alam College Planetarium, Argus Planetarium, and Ben Long Planetarium. The Carr-Fles Planetarium at Muskegon Community College holds star shows. The University of Michigan Detroit Observatory is listed in the national register of historic places. Michigan has Astronomy Clubs and chapters of the Astronomical League. Astronomy Day is celebrated in the spring.

• Crude OIL and gas have been found in many counties in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The state has several thousand active oil and gas producing wells. The oil and gas industries contribute to the economy in a variety of ways.

• Michigan has a variety of PARKS including a National Park, Historical Parks, State Parks, County Parks, City Park, and Amusement Parks. Mackinac Island was the first State Park in Michigan. Isle Royal National Park has one of the largest moose herds in the country. Keweena National Historical Park preserves the heritage of coper mining in the state. Warren Dunes State Park has light, granular sand piled into 240' dunes. The towpath trail along the Illinois and Michigan Canal is a State Park.

• Michigan is made up of 2 PENINSULAS separated by the Straits of Mackinac and is the only state divided into 2 distinct parts. The Lower Peninsula has low rolling hills giving way to hilly belts and connects to Indiana and Ohio. The Upper Penninsula is level in the east with swampy areas, and the west is higher and more rugged and connects to Wisconsin. The Mackinac Bridge connects the two peninsulas. The International Bridge connects the Upper Peninsula to Ontario at Sault Ste Marie. Leelanau Peninsula is between Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay.

• Michigan has a population of over 10 million PEOPLE. Many Famous People have come from Michigan including Gerald R. Ford, 38th president of the United States; "Magic" Johnson, professional basketball player; and Charles Lindbergh, aviator. The only Kingdom ever to exist in the country belonged to James Jesse Strang, King of Beaver Island. People from Michigan are called Michiganians, Michiganders, or Michiganites.

• The United States Mint has issued a QUARTER for each state in the order that it became part of the Union. Michigan became a State in 1837 and a Michigan quarter was issued in the year 2004. The U.S. Mint has a special Kids Page

• QUILTING is a popular activity in Michigan. There are Quilt Guilds throughout the state, and the Michigan Quilt Network promotes quilting through communication, education, and preservation. Quilt Shows are held throughout the year. The Ice House Quilt Shop is a landmark in Grayling. There are Weaving guilds Farmington, and Kalamazoo.

• Take a QUIZ about MICHIGAN. Take a quiz about Michigan birds

• Michigan has many species of REPTILES and amphibians including the poisonous Massasauga Rattlesnake. The Painted Turtle is the State Reptile. Michigan is part of the North American Monitoring Program. The Michigan Society of Herpetologists has a Junior Herpetologist Program.

• Michigan has several hundred RIVERS including 16 Wild and Scenic Rivers. Grand River is the largest river in the state. The Detroit River is an American Heritage Designated River. St. Mary's River, Detroit River, and St. Clair River, are used for cargo ships to travel between the Great Lakes. Soo Locks were created to connect them. Michigan also has more than 36,000 miles of streams. The Port of Detroit is on the Detroit River and is one of the busiest ports in the world.

• All SPORTS are played in Michigan including professional, league, college, and high school teams. Pine Mountain Lodge in Iron Mountain has the highest man-made ski jump in the world and the only ski flying hill in the western hemisphere, Copper Peak in Ironwood. The U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame is in Ishpeming. Northern Michigan University is the training site for 23 Olympic sports events. The first baseball game of the 20th century was played on the site that is now Tiger Stadium. The Silverdome in Pontiac is home to the Detroit Lions Football Team. Gaylord offers more world-class golf per square mile than any other place in the country and is 1st in the country in the registration of pleasure boats and snowmobiles. Michigan has had many famous Sports Figures.

• The Michigan Department of TRANSPORTATION is responsible for all forms of transportation in the state and has an Adopt-A-Highway Program. The 1st regularly scheduled air passenger service began in Michigan. The state has 275 licensed commercial airports open to the public, of which 144 are privately owned. Some of the longest bulk freight carriers in the world operate on the Great Lakes. The first Michiganautomobile license plates were issued in 1903. Since then a variety of plates have been made and personalized plates are available. Two American Indian Tribes in Michigan have their own license plates - Bay Mills Ojibwe and Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Tribe. Michigan had the first 3-color traffic light in the country. The Federal Highway Administration provides information about traffic and road closures. To celebrates its 50th birthday, Matchbox Cars issued a vehicle for each state. The vehicle for Michigan was the 1921 Ford Model T.

• Michigan has the largest variety of TREES including 90 species of native trees. More than half of the state is covered in forest including many areas of Old Growth Forests including Hartwick Pines State Park, Isle Royale National Park, Porcupine Mountains, and the Sylvania Wilderness. The State Tree is the White Pine. The state has 3 National Forests - Hiawatha, Huron/Manistee, and Ottawa. There are 145 State Forest Campgrounds. The Champion Tree Project began in Michigan, and the state has 47 Champion Trees. Each year there is a Big Tree Contest

• Michigan has UNIVERSITIES, colleges, and technical schools. The University of Michigan at Arbor is the oldest state university in the country. The UM Marching Band has played throughout the country and won many awards. The UM has play in the Rose Bowl 19 times and in 30 consecutive bowl games. The background music on this webpage is their Fight Song. Michigan State University at East Lansing is one of the largest universities in the country and was the first land grant college and first agricultural college in the country

• Three ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Michigan. The 1st USS Michigan, the Navy's 1st iron-hulled warship, operated on the Great Lakes for her entire career, and was later renamed Wolverine. The 2nd USS Michigan (BB-27), a South Carolina-class battleship, saw action against Mexico and escorted convoys during World War I. The 3rd USS Michigan (SSBN-727), the 2nd Ohio-class submarine, no longer serves as a ballistic missile submarine, but will be converted into a guided missile submarine (SSGN). The USS Erie (GB) was a gunboatnamed after the lake.

• Michigan has a wide variety of VEGETATION including invasive plants. Knowledge of pre-settlement vegetation types helps in habitat planning today. The state is part of the National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program. The oldest living lilacs in the world are on Mackinac Island. The State Flower is the apple blossom. The Wildflower Association of Michigan promotes the appreciation of wildflowers in the state. The State Wildflower is the dwarf lake iris. Michigan is first in the country in production of peat compounds. The Frederik Meijer Garden features Leonardo De Vinci's 24 foot bronze statue of a horse. The Nature Conservancy helps preserve the land in Michigan.

• Michigan does not have any active VOLCANOES but it has a volcanic past. Volcanoes created Porcupine and Huron mountain ranges.

• Michigan has over 100 WATERFALLS. Most of them are on the Upper Peninsula. Bond Falls has been called one of the most scenic places in the world. A restaurant in Detroit has tallest indoor waterfall in the world.

• The WEATHER in Michigan has 4 distinct seasons. Springs are mild, summers warm, autumns crisp, and winters snowy. NOAA provides up-to-date information about the weather and weather information for kids. The MSU Agricultural Office provides current weather and climatology information. The Environmental Protection Agency provides information about the effect of Global Warming in Michigan.

• Michigan has a variety of WILDLIFE, 7 Wildlife Refuges, and many Wildlife Rehabilitators. Seney National Wildlife Reserve is the largest contiguous National Refuge in the country. The State Game Mammal is the White-Tailed Deer. Many species are endangered including animals, fish, reptiles and birds. Michigan participates in the Wildlife Protection Program.

• XMAS is the abbreviation for Christmas which is celebrated in Michigan much as it is in the rest of the world. The state is the second in the country in the production of Christmas Trees, and the National Christmas Tree Association has information about Christmas trees. The city of Christmas has giant statues of Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Frankenmuth is a Bavarian-themed Christmasy town.

• YMCA organizations are located throughout Michigan. Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are active in the state.

• Michigan has several YOUTH HOSTELS. There are also Elderhostels.

• The use of postal ZIP CODES began in 1963. Zip codes in Michigan start with the number 48 or 49. The mailing code is MI. The J.W. Westcott II delivers mail to ships and is the only floating post office in the world.

• Michigan is in the Eastern Time ZONE. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Michigan is in the Plant Hardiness Zone 3a to 6a.

• Michigan has several ZOOS The Detroit Zoo was the 1st zoo in the country to feature cageless, open-exhibits that allowed the animals more freedom to roam. The John Ball Zoo has special activities for kids. Michigan has several Petting Zoos. The Belle Isle Aquarium is the oldest freshwater public aquarium in the country.

©2004