Michigan Information

Here is some general information about Michigan:

Recommended Reading

State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide

This guide contains information about the symbols, mottoes, flowers, trees, birds, songs, and even license plates for each of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories.

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Name
Offical Name	State of Michigan
Nicknames	Mitten State, The Birthplace of Automotives, The Great Lakes State, Water Winter Wonderland, The Wolverine State
Abbreviations	MI, US-MI
Origin of Name	Misshikama meaning "Great Lake" in Ojibwe Indian language

Government
Official Language	None
Admission to Union	26 January 1837
Time Zones	Central, Eastern
Official Web Site	www.michigan.gov

Population
Capital	Lansing
Largest City	Detroit
Population	9.938,444 (as of 2000 census)
Economy	Agriculture: corn, soybeans, wheat, timber, fishing, cherries, blueberries, apples, grapes, peaches Industry: automobile manufacturing, cereal manufacturing, information technology, computer software, pharmaceuticals, medical products, aerospace systems equipment, military equipment, lasers, financial services, energy equipment, fuel cells, furniture and seating manufacturing, copper, iron

Geography
Area	97,990 square miles (25,793 km²)
Major Rivers	Grand River, Kalamazoo River, St. Clair River, St. Marys River, Detroit River
Major Lakes	Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan
Highest Point	Mount Arvon - 1,979 feet (603 meters)
Bordering States	Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin
Bordering Country	Canada
Bordering Bodies of Water	Lake Eerie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior

Symbols
Flag
Motto	"Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice" - If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you
Song	My Michigan
Animal	Wolverine
Game Animal	White-tailed Deer
Bird	American Robin
Fish	Brook Trout
Reptile	Painted Turtle
Fossil	Mastodon
Flower	Apple Blossom
Wildflower	Dwarf Lake Iris
Tree	White Pine
Stone	Petoskey Stone
Gem	Isle Royale Greenstone (Chlorastrolite)
Soil	Kalkaska Sand