Area, 58,216 sq mi (150,779 sq km).
Pop. (2000) 9,938,444, a 6.9% increase since the 1990 census.
Capital, Lansing.
Largest city, Detroit.
Motto, Si Queries Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice [If You Seek a Pleasant Peninsula, Look about You].
State bird, robin.
State flower, apple blossom.
State tree, white pine.
The northern Michigan wilds, numerous inland lakes, and some 3,000 mi (4,800 km) of shoreline, combined with a pleasantly cool summer climate, have long attracted vacationers. In the winter Michigan's snow-covered hills bring skiers from all over the Midwest. Places of interest in the state include Greenfield Village, a re-creation of a 19th-century American village, and the Henry Ford Museum, both at Dearborn ; Pictured Rocks and Sleeping Bear Dunes national lakeshores; and Isle Royal National Park.
Lansing is the capital, and Detroit is the largest city. Other major cities are Grand Rapids, Warren, Flint and Ann Arbor.
Manufacturing accounts for 30% of Michigan's economic production, more than twice as much as any other sector. The manufacture of automobiles and transportation equipment is by far the state's chief industry, and Detroit, Dearborn, Flint, Pontiac, and Lansing are historic centers of automobile production, although the industry is now in dramatic decline throughout the state. The automobile industry's mass-production methods, developed here, were the core of the early-20th-century industrial revolution. The chemical industry in Midland is one of the nation's largest; Kalamazoo is an important paper-manufacturing and pharmaceuticals center; Grand Rapids is noted for its furniture, and Battle Creek for its breakfast foods.
Although mining contributes less to income in the state than either agriculture or manufacturing, Michigan still has important nonfuel mineral production, chiefly of iron ore, cement, sand, and gravel, and is a leading producer of peat, bromine, calcium-magnesium chloride, gypsum, and magnesium compounds.
www.michigan.gov
www.michigan.org Official Travel /Tourism
www.detroitzoo.org
As seen above the information concerning our Automotive industry was compiled in 2003; how much has changed in these last 5 years. It is very sad to think that the encyclopedias may have to record that in 2008-2009, Detroit Michigan is no longer the Automotive Capitol of America. May that not come to pass! May all of you reading this rethink your car purchase & choose one of a Big 3 Co.s next time that you are in the Buying market. This is still a great State, may all Michiganders help to bring back the glory of our State.
*Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2003.
SPECIAL VOLUNTEERS ---- SPECIAL MICHIGAN CHAPTER OF " PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS"
Are you aware of the wonderful folks who give of their time to secure the privacy and peace at Military funerals
of our Michigan sons, daughters, fathers & mothers who gave the ULTIMATE sacrifice for ALL of US.
There are 1400 members here in Michigan.
THANK YOU ALL.
Bill Richard, the National president of the Patriot Guard Riders, said that nationally the group raises aabout
$300,000--$500,000. a year, mostly through sales of merchandise on their Web site