Michigan is the 10th-largest state (by population) that located in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. Michigan is surrounded by the Great Lakes and Canada in the east, north, and west and Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin in the south. There are several nicknames for Michigan, such as: The Great Lake State, The Wolverine State, The Mitten State, and Water (Winter) Wonderland. If you are interested to know more about Michigan, I’m sure that you should be interested to look at these 10 interesting facts about Michigan.
1. Michigan is the Largest State by Area East of the Mississippi River
As the 11th-largest state by area, Michigan is the largest state by area east of the Mississippi River. Basically, Michigan consists of two peninsulas: Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula. The Lower Peninsula is larger and much more populated than the Upper Peninsula. The Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula are separated by a five-mile (8 km) channel that is called the Straits of Mackinac. The Straits of Mackinac joins Lake Huron to Lake Michigan.
2. Michigan Has the World’s Longest Freshwater Coastline
Michigan has the world’s longest freshwater coastline at 3,288 miles. Michigan is bordered by four of the five Great Lakes (Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, Lake Superior and Lake Huron) as well as Lake St. Clair that contributed to its longest freshwater coastline.
3. Michigan Has the Second Most Water of any State
Behind Alaska, Michigan has the most water of any state in the United States. While Alaska has the most water (94,743 sq miles), Michigan has 40,175 sq miles. But when it comes to percentage of area covered by water, Michigan is ranked first among all US States with 41.5% of Michigan area are covered by water. Michigan has 64,980 inland lakes and ponds.
4. Michigan is the State with the Most Lighthouses in the United States
Michigan has around 129 lighthouses, the most of any states in the United States. The first lighthouses were built between 1818 and 1822. Lighthouses in Michigan were built to safely guide the passenger ships and freighters traveling the Great Lakes by projecting light at night and serve as a landmark during the day.
5. Lansing is the Capital City of Michigan and Detroit is the Largest City
The capital city of Michigan is Lansing. Lansing has been the capital city of Michigan since 1847, ten years after Michigan became a state. The largest city in Michigan is Detroit. Metro Detroit is also the largest metro and urban area of Michigan. Metro Detroit is also the second largest metropolitan area in the Midwest after the Chicago metropolitan area.
6. Michigan Stadium is the Largest Stadium in the United States
With official capacity of 109,901, Michigan Stadium is the largest stadium in the United States as well as the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Michigan Stadium is also the 3rd largest stadium in the world behind Narendra Modi Stadium in India and Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea. Michigan Stadium is the football stadium for Michigan Wolverines football team that represents the University of Michigan. It’s located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
7. Michigan is the Top Tart Cherry Producing State
Michigan is the leading producer of tart cherries in the United States. About 75% of the total United States tart cherry crop are produced by Michigan. Traverse City in Michigan is called the “Cherry Capital of the World”. Besides tart cherries, Michigan is also a leading grower of other fruits such as blueberries, apples, grapes, and peaches. We can also find plums, pears, and strawberries grown in Michigan.
8. Mount Arvon is the Highest Natural Point of Michigan
With 1,979 ft (603 m) elevation, Mount Arvon is the highest natural point of Michigan. It’s also the highest natural point of the East North Central states. Mount Arvon, part of the Huron Mountains, is located in L’Anse Township, Baraga County. It rises about eight miles (13 km) south of Lake Superior at 591 feet 180 m) elevation.
9. American Robin is the Official State Bird of Michigan
In 1931, American robin (Turdus migratorius) was designated as the official state bird of Michigan. American robin is a migratory bird that widely distributed throughout North America, from southern Canada to central Mexico. American robin is the most abundant bird in North America (approximately 370,000,000 individuals). Besides the state bird of Michigan, American robin is also the state bird of Connecticut and Wisconsin.
10. Apple Blossom is the Official State Flower of Michigan
Apple blossom was designated as the official state flower of Michigan in 1897. Michigan also recognizes the dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris) as the official state wildflower. Apple blossoms are produced in spring. Michigan is the third largest apple producing state in the United States behind Washington and New York. Pyrus coronaria is an apple species that is native to Michigan and extremely fragrant.
We have talked about 10 interesting Michigan facts. Besides those interesting facts, there are many more interesting facts for sure. It’s a good idea if you share more facts that we haven’t talked about in this article.