Michigan's State Facts

• The name Michigan is derived from the Indian words "Michi-gama" meaning large lake.

• The State Nickname is the "Great Lake State." Others include "Wolverine State" or "Water Winter Wonderland."

• The State motto is "Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice."
  (If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.)

• Michigan was admitted to the Union in 1837, the 26th state.

• Michigan includes:
  • 57,022 sq. mi. of land area (16,439 sq. mi. in the U.P.)
  • 1,194 sq. mi. of inland waters
  • 38,575 sq. mi. of Great Lake water area
  • 3,126 miles of Great Lakes shoreline (more fresh water coastline than any other state)
  • 19,000,000 acres of forest cover

• The population is 9,328,784 (1990 Census). 9,488,000 est. 1/1/93 (98 per sq. mi.).

• The capital is Lansing (1847).

• The largest city is Detroit.

• The State Trunkline System totals 9,607 miles. All are toll free.

• Michigan is the only state that touches four of the five Great Lakes.

• 40 of Michigan's 83 counties touch at least one of the Great Lakes.

• Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes and more than 36,000 miles of streams.

• You are never more than six miles from one of them.

• Anywhere in Michigan, you are within 85 miles of one of the Great Lakes.