The Wolverine State

Michigan consists mainly of two large peninsulas -- the Lower Peninsula and the smaller Upper Peninsula. Most of its boundaries are formed by four of the Great Lakes -- Superior, Huron, Erie, and Michigan. Michigan's sections of the Great Lakes contain many islands, notably Isle Royale in Lake Superior, Bois Blanc and Mackinac islands in the Straits of Mackinac, Drummond Island in Lake Huron, and Beaver and Manitou islands in Lake Michigan.

Michigan's climate is somewhat moderated by breezes from the Great Lakes, which tend to cool the state in summer and warm it in winter. Most of the state receives considerable snowfall each year, with the heaviest accumulations in the western part of the Upper Peninsula. The heavy amounts of snowfall make Michigan a paradise for outdoor sports enthusiasts, and thousands of people flock to Michigan's many state resorts each year.

Michigan contains several noted museums. These include the Detroit Institute of Arts, with fine collections of American, European, and Oriental art; the Detroit Historical Museum; the Children's Museum, in Detroit; and the Detroit Science Center.

The spectacular shorelines of Great Lakes and many thousands of smaller lakes, as well as rivers and streams, make Michigan a paradise for fishing, swimming, and boating enthusiasts. Other popular outdoor recreational activities include hunting, skiing, hiking, golf, and tennis. Bois Blanc Island is a favorite deer-hunting area.

Michigan's major league professional sports teams include the Detroit Tigers in baseball, the Detroit Pistons in basketball, the Detroit Lions in football, and the Detroit Red Wings in ice hockey.