About the Wolverine State
There are different theories about why Michigan was nicknamed "The Wolverine State." Many people thought wolverines roamed through Michigan, but that has been proven false. It's more likely that Michigan acquired the nickname by being compared to the gluttonous, vicious wolverine. During a dispute in 1835 between Michigan and Ohio over the piece of land bordering both states, people from Ohio reportedly described Michiganders as being as vicious as wolverines. Another story reports that Native Americans gave Michigan the nickname in the 1830s because Michiganians were going after land the way blood-thirsty wolverines went after food. Whatever the reason, the University of Michigan adopted the wolverine as their mascot and Michigan residents proudly embraced the nickname of "The Wolverine State."
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History
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Michigan was the home of Native Americans until Europeans arrived. French settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries established fur-trading and shipping posts. After the French and Indian War, the 1763 Treaty of Paris gave Michigan to Great Britain, where it remained in possession until 20 years after the Revolutionary War because of border disputes. Michigan became the 26th state in the United States in 1837. Though Michigan lost the strip of rich farm land they fought for to Ohio, they gained a larger piece of land, now known as Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.). The Upper Peninsula gave Michigan access to many minerals and forests. The U.P. became an important location for copper and iron mining industries and lumber production. At the beginning of the 20th century, Michigan's economy changed with the beginning of the automobile industry.
Geography
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Located in the midwest, Michigan is bordered by four of the five Great Lakes: Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie and Lake Superior. After Alaska, Michigan is the state with the longest shoreline. There are many large islands, lakes and marshes in both peninsulas. The Mackinac Bridge was built to connect the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan in 1957. Michigan is the only state made up entirely of two separate peninsulas.
In Michigan, you're never more than 6 miles from a lake or more than 85 miles from a Great Lake. Because of the abundance of water, Michigan is very humid. There are four distinct seasons. The south and central portions of the Lower Peninsula have hot summers and cold winters. The Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula have short summers and very cold winters. The entire state of Michigan receives a lot of snow in the winter due to lake effect snows. -
Features
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The Lower Peninsula of Michigan is shaped like a mitten. It has fertile farmland and sandy beaches, while the Upper Peninsula is rocky with mountains and covered with heavy forests. Michigan has many different industries. Though it's known for the auto industry, Michigan is a leader in information technology, life sciences and Christmas tree farming. There's a diverse agriculture industry that provides blueberries, cherries, apples, grapes, peaches, grains, corn, sugar beets, soy beans, navy beans and potatoes. Tourism is a very popular industry. Michigan has the largest state park and state forest systems in the nation. Nature lovers travel to Michigan to enjoy the forests, lakes, beaches and wildlife. Hunters add $2 billion dollars a year to the economy. There are historical sites, casinos, museums, golf courses, professional sports teams, fine arts and music that draw visitors to the state. Other major businesses include cereal, wine, dairy, chemicals, copper, iron, cement, sand, gravel, plastic, furniture, aerospace, military equipment, soft drinks, biotechnology and engineering industries.
Effects
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About 30 percent of Michigan's economy is fueled by manufacturing. The loss of automobile manufacturing jobs can have a domino effect on other businesses in the state, which has caused Michigan to have the highest unemployment rate in the country at times.
Benefits
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Michigan has many top research universities and a commitment to public education, providing a highly educated and skilled work force. Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Western Michigan University play an important role in Michigan's economy by attracting new businesses to the state.
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