Michigan

From Wikipedia, a free encyclopedia written in simple English for easy reading.

The State of Michigan is the 11th largest U.S. state in size, and the only state to be separated by water. It is made up of two peninsulas (connected by the Mackinac Bridge). It was the 26th state to join the union on January 26, 1837. Michigan was also the first U.S. state to abolish the death penalty.

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[edit] Economy

The economy of Michigan is very unique. It is noted as the birthplace of the automobile and it still shows today. 80% of Michigan's economy revolves around the car industry.

Michigan is 50% forest,which makes it very useful to the lumber industry. It also borders 4 of the Great Lakes, which are some of the largest reservoirs of fresh water in the world. Lake Superior is the largest body of freshwater in the world.

There has been much controversy over whether the state should sell or open pipelines to states with little or no water in the American Southwest, such as Nevada or Arizona. Even though this would greatly increase the economy it has been thought of as a bad ecological move which could possibly destroy the environment of Michigan.

[edit] Recreation and weather

The state experiences four seasons, with the winter being predominant and severe in the north, while the south has more mild, equally long seasons. The northern areas are very popular for skiing in the winter. The National Ski Hall of Fame can be found in Ishpeming in the Upper Peni.

Due to the large amount of water surrounding the state, boating is very popular in the warmer months. There are more private boats registered in Michigan than in any other state.

[edit] Famous Michiganders

Many famous people have come from Michigan. They include the singer Madonna, the comedian Andy Richter, singer Stevie Wonder, rock star Ted Nugent, former president Gerald Ford, singer Kid Rock, rapper Eminem, the former Reverend Jim Bakker, basketball legend Magic Johnson, Diana Ross, and Aretha Franklin. Also it was the home of Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company.

[edit] Cities

The capital city of Michigan is Lansing, and large cities include Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint, Grand Rapids, and Saginaw. Other cities include Menominee.

[edit] Politics

The current governor is Jennifer Granholm and its two national senators are Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin. All three are members of the Democratic party.

Political divisions of the United States
States: AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
National capital: District of Columbia
Island  areas: American SamoaBaker IslandGuamHowland IslandJarvis IslandJohnston AtollKingman ReefMidway AtollNavassa IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsPalmyra AtollPuerto RicoVirgin IslandsWake Island