Facts About Michigan Learning About US States in Special Ed

Welcome to Michigan

If you are teaching about the US states, here are some facts about Michigan you may want to know.

Michigan is located in the midwestern part of the United States. It borders Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Canada. Michigan is also bordered by four Great Lakes: Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Michigan. Lansing is the capital.

Let’s learn a little more about this great state.

And be sure to scroll to the end to get a free fact sheet about Michigan.

A brief history of Michigan

Michigan became a state in 1837 and was the 26th to join the United States.

Michigan’s name originated from an Algonquian word meaning Big River or Big Water.

In 1618, French explorers were the first to settle in Michigan and claim the territory as their own.

Following the French and Indian War, the French gave up the area to the English in 1763, and Michigan became a British colony.

The area became US territory in 1805. However, it was not officially a state until 1837.

From 1861 to 1865, soldiers from Michigan joined the Union Army to fight for the North in the Civil War.

Following the war, the first automobile was made by the Olds Motor Company in Lansing in 1897.

But it was Henry Ford’s invention of the assembly line in 1913 that catapulted Michigan’s dominance of the auto industry in the United States. This was the same year the Model T was built, the first car that would be affordable for more people.

Finally, from 1939 to 1945, during World War 2, Michigan became known as the arsenal of democracy. Many of the automotive plants in Detroit were reconfigured to build planes and tanks for the war.

The geography of Michigan

Michigan is the only state split into two peninsulas. A peninsula is a body of land surrounded by water on three sides. There is the Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula, often referred to as the Mitten.

The Upper Peninsula is covered mainly with forests and low hills. It also contains the state’s highest point, Mt. Avron, which is 1979 feet high.

The Lower Peninsula, called the Mitten, is mostly flat and more populated. It has more farmland and produces much of the nation’s fruit.

Michigan is also the only state bordered by four of the five Great Lakes. Lake Erie touches the southeastern corner of the Lower Peninsula.

Lake Huron borders most of the eastern side of the Lower Peninsula, wrapping around the top to meet Lake Michigan. The Straits of Mackinac connects Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

Lake Michigan borders much of the western border of the Lower Peninsula and the southern border of the Upper Peninsula.

Lake Superior separates the Upper Peninsula from Canada and Minnesota.

Finally, more than 40% of the state is covered with water. There are more than 10,000 lakes, and Michigan has the longest freshwater coastline in the entire world.

Michigan's resources and industries

Agriculture is an essential industry in Michigan. Most farms are located in the Lower Peninsula, where the soil is more fertile, the land is flatter, and the climate is milder than in the Upper Peninsula.

Michigan is one of the largest producers of fruit in the US. Apples, blueberries, pears, plums, and peaches are all grown in this state.

But tart cherries are the most plentiful. Michigan produces more cherries than any other state.

Other important crops to the state’s economy are sugar beets, corn, and soybeans.

Michigan is also one of the nation’s top iron ore producers.

Lastly, when it comes to industries, much of the state’s economy depends on the auto industry. After all, this is where it all started. Ford, GM, and Chrysler (now Stellantis) all have their headquarters in Detroit.

Fun places to visit in Michigan

If you plan to visit Michigan, there are some things you will want to know and make sure you get to see. There are some fantastic landscapes and a rich history to see.

One of Michigan’s most iconic structures is the Mackinac Bridge. This 5-mile bridge crosses the Straits of Mackinac and connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. It is the longest suspension bridge in America and the fifth longest in the world.

You can see Mackinac Island, another popular tourist destination, from the Mackinac Bridge. This almost 4-square-mile island is unique in that motor vehicles are not allowed.

Situated in Lake Huron, this island can be reached by ferry, but you will have to leave your car or truck behind. You can explore the island on foot or by bike or ride one of the many horse-drawn carriages. There is also a military outpost that has been there since the Revolutionary War.

The Isle of Royale National Park is on an island in Lake Superior. If you don’t like crowds, this is the place for you. It is one of the least visited National State Parks in the country.

You can only access this park by boat or seaplane. It is actually made up of one main island surrounded by 450 smaller islands. It is a popular destination for hikers. Ten different recorded shipwrecks are located off the shores of the park. Finally, this park has one of the largest moose herd populations in the US.

You can visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes along the shores of Lake Michigan. This 35-mile stretch of dunes was formed thousands of years ago when the glaciers left behind large deposits of sand. Over time, the wind shaped the sand into huge dunes, some over 400 feet high.

Its name comes from a Native American legend. The legend tells the story of a mother bear crossing the lake with her two cubs to escape a wildfire. They became separated. The cubs went further out into the lake and became the Manitou islands. The mother bear came ashore and became the Sleeping Bear Dune.

Finally, Tahquamenon Falls State Park is Michigan’s second-largest state park. People come to this park to see two main waterfalls, the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls. The Upper Falls is one of the largest east of the Mississippi River, with a drop of over 50 feet.

These falls are known for the amber colored water that pours over them. The color is caused by tannins from the cedar swamps that the river drains. It is very distinctive and often photographed.

Fun facts about Michigan

Here are a few fun facts about Michigan. The Apple Blossom is the state flower, and the American Robin is the state bird.

Michigan is known as the Great Lakes State. It is the only state that touches four of the five Great Lakes.

Michigan is also commonly referred to as the Wolverine State. Early settlers had fur trading posts in Michigan, and wolverine pelts were often exchanged here. Soldiers from Detroit who fought in the Civil War were also referred to as Wolverines. They were very tough soldiers.

Michigan is home to America’s only floating post office. The J.W. Westcott II is a ship that has been delivering mail for over 140 years. It even has its own zip code!

Every year, Battle Creek hosts a cereal festival with the longest breakfast table setup in the world. Kellogg’s Cereal’s headquarters are located here.

Detroit is known as the car capital of the world. It has earned the nickname “Motor City.”

You will find the world’s largest weathervane in Montague, Michigan. It stands 48 feet tall and weighs 4300 pounds.

Finally, there are more lighthouses in this state, over 200, than in any other state. This is not surprising given its long freshwater coastline combined with the massive waves and surf found in some of these Great Lakes.

Michigan is a great state with a lot to see. Next time you go on a trip, consider visiting this state and seeing what you can find.