Quick Facts
- Capital: Lansing
- Population: 10,084,442 (2021)
- Nickname: Great Lakes State
- Statehood: January 26, 1837
- Largest City: Detroit
Michigan is known for its stunning lakeshores, vibrant cities, and rich history.
This article unveils 33 fascinating facts about the Great Lakes State that will pique your interest and make you see Michigan in a whole new light.
- Michigan has the longest freshwater coastline in the United States, spanning more than 3,000 miles along the Great Lakes.
- Isle Royale, a remote island in Lake Superior, is the least-visited national park in the United States, making it a perfect spot for solitude seekers.
- The Detroit Institute of Arts is home to Diego Rivera’s famous Detroit Industry Murals, which cover all four walls of the museum’s central courtyard.
- Michigan is the birthplace of the American automotive industry. The Ford Motor Company was founded in Detroit in 1903, and the city is still known as the “Motor City” today.
- Michigan is home to more than 150 lighthouses—the most of any state in the U.S.
- Mackinac Island, located in Lake Huron, is known for its Victorian charm and car-free environment, with horse-drawn carriages and bicycles as the primary modes of transportation.
- The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor was founded in 1817, making it one of the oldest public universities in the United States.
- The state is home to over 11,000 inland lakes, and you’re never more than six miles away from a body of water.
- Michigan is the only state to consist of two peninsulas: the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, which are connected by the iconic Mackinac Bridge.
- The world’s largest limestone quarry can be found in Rogers City, Michigan, and is operated by the Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company.
- The Michigan Dogman is a local cryptid legend, described as a seven-foot-tall, dog-like creature that has been sighted across the state.
- Vernors, a popular ginger ale brand, was created in Detroit in 1866 and is the oldest continuously produced soft drink in the United States.
- Michigan produces the third most Christmas trees in the United States, with over 27,000 acres dedicated to tree farming.
- Kellogg’s, the world’s largest cereal producer, was founded in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1906.
- The state is a major producer of cherries, especially tart cherries, and hosts the annual National Cherry Festival in Traverse City.
- Colon, Michigan, is known as the “Magic Capital of the World” due to its rich history in the field of magic and illusion, as well as its annual Magic Get-Together, which attracts magicians and magic enthusiasts from around the globe.
- Michigan boasts the world’s largest tire, the Uniroyal Giant Tire, which stands 80 feet tall and weighs 12 tons. It was originally created as a Ferris wheel for the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
- The Detroit Zoo was the first zoo in the United States to feature cageless, open exhibits that allowed animals to roam more freely in a natural environment.
- The Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, located in Grosse Pointe Shores, is a historic mansion and estate that offers a glimpse into the lives of one of America’s most influential families.
- Michigan’s state stone is the Petoskey stone, a unique fossilized coral that can be found along the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
- The Motown Museum in Detroit preserves the legacy of Motown Records, the iconic record label that launched the careers of artists like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and Marvin Gaye.
- Michigan is home to the world’s largest weathervane, located in the town of Montague. The weathervane stands 48 feet tall and features a 26-foot-long arrow.
- The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie are a system of parallel locks that enable ships to travel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes, bypassing the rapids of the St. Marys River.
- Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Farmington Hills is a one-of-a-kind attraction, featuring a collection of vintage coin-operated machines, arcade games, and oddities.
- The Keweenaw Peninsula in Upper Michigan is the only place in the United States where you can find large quantities of native copper.
- Michigan has more golf courses per capita than any other state in the nation, with over 650 courses throughout the state.
- The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a popular destination, offering over 70,000 acres of pristine dunes, forests, and beaches along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
- Grand Rapids, Michigan, is known as “Furniture City” because of its history as a major furniture manufacturing center in the United States.
- The state is home to Hell, Michigan, a small, unincorporated community with a unique name that draws curious visitors and offers a range of tongue-in-cheek, hell-themed souvenirs.
- Michigan has the world’s largest limestone formation, the Niagara Escarpment, which stretches from New York, through Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
- The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is the only underwater international border crossing in the world, connecting Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
- Michigan is home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, which commemorates the maritime history of the Great Lakes and pays tribute to the many shipwrecks that have occurred in the region.
- Michigan has the world’s largest crucifix, the Cross in the Woods, which is located in Indian River and stands 55 feet tall.
Conclusion
Michigan’s diverse history, stunning landscapes, and quirky attractions make it a must-visit destination for travelers and history buffs alike.
From its impressive automotive heritage to its breathtaking natural beauty, the Great Lakes State offers a wealth of fascinating facts and stories that leave a lasting impression on all who visit.
FAQ
What is Michigan known for?
Michigan is known for its Great Lakes, automotive industry, lighthouses, cherries, and unique peninsular geography.
What is the capital of Michigan?
The capital of Michigan is Lansing.
What are the major cities in Michigan?
Major cities in Michigan include Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Flint.
What is the population of Michigan?
As of 2021, the population of Michigan is approximately 10,084,442 people.
Why is Michigan called the Great Lakes State?
Michigan is called the Great Lakes State because it borders four of the five Great Lakes—Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie.
Are there any famous landmarks in Michigan?
Famous landmarks in Michigan include Mackinac Island, the Mackinac Bridge, Isle Royale National Park, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.
What are some popular activities in Michigan?
Popular activities in Michigan include visiting the Great Lakes, exploring the state’s numerous lighthouses, attending the National Cherry Festival, and experiencing the state’s rich automotive history in Detroit.
What is the state stone of Michigan?
The state stone of Michigan is the Petoskey stone, a fossilized coral found along the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
What are some famous foods from Michigan?
Some famous foods from Michigan include Detroit-style pizza, pasties, Coney Island hot dogs, cherries, and Vernors ginger ale.
What is the state flower of Michigan?
The state flower of Michigan is the apple blossom.
What is the state bird of Michigan?
The state bird of Michigan is the American robin.
What is the state tree of Michigan?
The state tree of Michigan is the eastern white pine.
What are some unique attractions in Michigan?
Unique attractions in Michigan include Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum, the Cross in the Woods, Hell, Michigan, the world’s largest weathervane, and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.
I am a fun fact enthusiast and creator of Facts On Tap.
I love to share my knowledge and curiosity with readers and inspire them to learn something new every day.
When I’m not writing, I enjoy traveling, reading, and playing trivia games with my friends.
