Michigan (MI)

MICHIGAN STATE FLAG

Michigan, the Wolverine State, joined the union in 1837. Located in the center of the Great Lakes, Michigan is divided into two land masses known as the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

Connecting Michigan’s upper peninsula to the rest of the state, the Mackinac Bridge spans five miles and is one of the world’s longest suspension bridges.

Detroit, the state’s largest city, is home to the American automotive industry and is the birthplace of Motown Records.

Geography

Michigan is a great state located in the Midwest region of the United States. It is bordered by Lake Michigan to the west, Wisconsin and Illinois to the south, and Indiana to the east. Michigan is divided into two major sections, the Upper Peninsula (or UP) and the Lower Peninsula (or LP). The Upper Peninsula lies to the north of Lake Michigan, while the Lower Peninsula is located south of it.

The Upper Peninsula is known for its rugged terrain and forested landscape. It contains numerous national parks, including Isle Royale National Park and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The UP has a total area of more than 16 thousand square miles, making it larger than some countries in Europe like Belgium or Switzerland! Its highest point is Mount Arvon in Baraga County at 1,979 feet above sea level.

The Lower Peninsula (LP) covers approximately 58 thousand square miles and has a much flatter terrain than its northern counterpart. It contains many large cities such as Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Ann Arbor as well as numerous smaller ones like Kalamazoo and Saginaw Bay City. The LP also includes many lakes including Lake Huron which forms its eastern border with Canada. Its highest point is Bald Mountain in Oakland County at 1,305 feet above sea level.

Michigan’s largest river is the Grand River which flows through both peninsulas before emptying into Lake Erie near Detroit. Other major rivers include Muskegon River, Saginaw River and Kalamazoo River which all flow through both peninsulas before emptying into Lake Michigan near Chicago or Milwaukee respectively.

Michigan has four distinct seasons with winter temperatures ranging from 0-30 degrees Fahrenheit (-17-34 Celsius) depending on location within the state; spring temperatures range from 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit (7-18 Celsius); summer temperatures range from 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit (21-32 Celsius); while fall temperatures range from 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit (7-18 Celsius).

Overall Michigan’s geography offers an array of features that make it unique among other states in America such as its two separate peninsulas, numerous forests and lakes as well as four distinct seasons that provide ample opportunities for recreation year round.

Cities in Michigan

Below are the top 15 cities by population in Michigan. For all cities and towns in the state, please see Michigan cities list.

Rank City Population
1 Detroit 645,658
2 Grand Rapids 197,858
3 Warren city 138,996
4 Sterling Heights 134,062
5 Ann Arbor 122,731
6 Lansing 113,592
7 Dearborn 107,985
8 Clinton charter township 100,328
9 Canton charter township 97,591
10 Livonia 95,294
11 Macomb 90,818
12 Troy city 86,912
13 Westland 84,961
14 Farmington Hills 83,749
15 Flint 83,312

Counties in Michigan

The State of Michigan consists of 83 counties. They are:

  1. Alcona County, Michigan
  2. Alger County, Michigan
  3. Allegan County, Michigan
  4. Alpena County, Michigan
  5. Antrim County, Michigan
  6. Arenac County, Michigan
  7. Baraga County, Michigan
  8. Barry County, Michigan
  9. Bay County, Michigan
  10. Benzie County, Michigan
  11. Berrien County, Michigan
  12. Branch County, Michigan
  13. Calhoun County, Michigan
  14. Cass County, Michigan
  15. Charlevoix County, Michigan
  16. Cheboygan County, Michigan
  17. Chippewa County, Michigan
  18. Clare County, Michigan
  19. Clinton County, Michigan
  20. Crawford County, Michigan
  21. Delta County, Michigan
  22. Dickinson County, Michigan
  23. Eaton County, Michigan
  24. Emmet County, Michigan
  25. Genesee County, Michigan
  26. Gladwin County, Michigan
  27. Gogebic County, Michigan
  28. Grand Traverse County, Michigan
  29. Gratiot County, Michigan
  30. Hillsdale County, Michigan
  31. Houghton County, Michigan
  32. Huron County, Michigan
  33. Ingham County, Michigan
  34. Ionia County, Michigan
  35. Iosco County, Michigan
  36. Iron County, Michigan
  37. Isabella County, Michigan
  38. Jackson County, Michigan
  39. Kalamazoo County, Michigan
  40. Kalkaska County, Michigan
  41. Kent County, Michigan
  42. Keweenaw County, Michigan
  43. Lake County, Michigan
  44. Lapeer County, Michigan
  45. Leelanau County, Michigan
  46. Lenawee County, Michigan
  47. Livingston County, Michigan
  48. Luce County, Michigan
  49. Mackinac County, Michigan
  50. Macomb County, Michigan
  51. Manistee County, Michigan
  52. Marquette County, Michigan
  53. Mason County, Michigan
  54. Mecosta County, Michigan
  55. Menominee County, Michigan
  56. Midland County, Michigan
  57. Missaukee County, Michigan
  58. Monroe County, Michigan
  59. Montcalm County, Michigan
  60. Montmorency County, Michigan
  61. Muskegon County, Michigan
  62. Newaygo County, Michigan
  63. Oakland County, Michigan
  64. Oceana County, Michigan
  65. Ogemaw County, Michigan
  66. Ontonagon County, Michigan
  67. Osceola County, Michigan
  68. Oscoda County, Michigan
  69. Otsego County, Michigan
  70. Ottawa County, Michigan
  71. Presque Isle County, Michigan
  72. Roscommon County, Michigan
  73. Saginaw County, Michigan
  74. Saint Clair County, Michigan
  75. Saint Joseph County, Michigan
  76. Sanilac County, Michigan
  77. Schoolcraft County, Michigan
  78. Shiawassee County, Michigan
  79. Tuscola County, Michigan
  80. Van Buren County, Michigan
  81. Washtenaw County, Michigan
  82. Wayne County, Michigan
  83. Wexford County, Michigan

MICHIGAN STATE FLAG