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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 capitol is Lansing (1879).

  • 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.
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Related Content
 •  Map Trivia Quiz PDF icon
 •  State Map Legend PDF icon
 •  U.S. Census data
 •  Michigan's State Symbols
 •  City Map Legend PDF icon
 •  Key Dates in Map History

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