 Michigan
Information
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 |
