Michigan's State Facts
Did you know that:- The name Michigan is derived from the Indian words "Michi-gama" meaning large lake.
- The State Nickname is the "Great Lake State." Others include "Wolverine State" or "Water Winter Wonderland."
- The State motto is "Si
quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice."
(If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.) - Michigan was admitted to the Union in 1837, the 26th state.
- Michigan includes:
- 57,022 sq. mi. of land area (16,439 sq. mi. in the U.P.)
- 1,194 sq. mi. of inland waters
- 38,575 sq. mi. of Great Lake water area
- 3,126 miles of Great Lakes shoreline (more fresh water coastline than any other state)
- 19,000,000 acres of forest cover
- The population is 9,328,784 (1990 Census). 9,488,000 est. 1/1/93 (98 per sq. mi.).
- The capital is Lansing (1847).
- The largest city is Detroit.
- The State Trunkline System totals 9,607 miles. All are toll free.
- Michigan is the only state that touches four of the five Great Lakes.
- 40 of Michigan's 83 counties touch at least one of the Great Lakes.
- Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes and more than 36,000 miles of streams.
- You are never more than six miles from one of them.
- Anywhere in Michigan, you are within 85 miles of one of the Great Lakes.
